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DECpc 320P

From RetroTechCollection
DECpc 320P
DECpc 320P (DigitalIceAge, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)
Specifications
ManufacturerDigital Equipment Corporation; built by PTCC (Tandy and Matsushita)
TypeNotebook computer
ReleasedFebruary 1992[1]
CPUIntel 80386SX, 20 MHz[1][2]
Memory2 MB, expandable to 8 MB[3]
Storage2.5-inch hard disk; 3.5-inch 1.44 MB diskette drive[3]
DisplayMonochrome passive-matrix LCD, 640 × 480, fluorescent side light[1][2]
Sound—
PowerDC in 16 V 1.25 A; nickel-cadmium battery pack[4][5]
OS / Firmware—
Model no.PCP11

The DECpc 320P is a 386SX notebook computer sold by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) from February 1992. DEC did not build it: Wikipedia's list of DECpc models gives the maker as PTCC, a Tandy and Matsushita company.[1] The rating label calls it model PCP11 and also carries the number 1755.[4]

The GRiD 1755 connection

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GRiD Systems sold a 386SX/20 notebook as the GRiD 1755. Three things tie it to the DECpc 320P:

  • The DECpc 320P's rating label carries the number 1755 above the words "Notebook Computer".[4]
  • The Fn legends on the DECpc 320P keyboard (Color, Video, Speed, Disk, Spkr, Display, Serial, Standby) are the Fn functions GRiD's user guide describes for the 1755.[6][7]
  • The archive.org copy of GRiD's 1755 user guide is catalogued as covering the GRiD 1755, DECpc 320p and Tandy 3820HD.[8]

Details such as the hard disk options may still differ between the GRiD and DEC versions.

Hardware

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GRiD lists these features for the 1755:[3]

  • 80386SX at 20 MHz, switchable to 10 MHz with Fn+F3.[7]
  • 2 MB RAM, expandable to 4 or 8 MB with an internal RAM module.[2]
  • 2.5-inch 60 MB or 80 MB hard disk; 3.5-inch 1.44 MB diskette drive.
  • LCD with fluorescent side light; GRiD's specification calls it a triple supertwist VGA panel showing blue characters on a white background.[2]
  • 84-key keyboard with 101-key emulation and reversible Ctrl and Caps Lock keys.
  • Serial, parallel, external keyboard and VGA ports; optional internal 2400 bit/s modem.
  • Resume, which keeps the machine's state while switched off, powered by an internal resume battery.[9]
  • Nickel-cadmium rechargeable battery, about three hours per charge.[5]

MacDat's listing for the DECpc 320P gives 40 MB or 80 MB hard disks and a 2400 or 9600 baud modem, which differ from GRiD's options.[10]

The DEC rating label gives FCC ID ACJ9TG25-3572 and a DC input of 16 V at 1.25 A, and says the unit was assembled in the USA.[4]

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Documentation

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  • DECpc 320P rating label: model PCP11, 1755, DC in 16 V 1.25 A (Maynard Historical Society)
    DECpc 320P rating label: model PCP11, 1755, DC in 16 V 1.25 A (Maynard Historical Society)

References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "DECpc", Wikipedia, laptop table, retrieved 1 October 2026, en.wikipedia.org. 320P: 80386SX, 20 MHz, 8 MB maximum, passive-matrix monochrome LCD, PTCC (Tandy and Matsushita), February 1992, citing PC Week (3 February 1992) and PC World (June 1992).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 GRiD, GRiD 1755 Users Guide, p. 135, "Specifications".
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 GRiD Systems Corporation, GRiD 1755 Users Guide, 1991, p. 7, "Standard Features" (File:GRiD 1755 User Guide.pdf).
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Maynard Historical Society Archives, "DECpc 320p Notebook Portable Computer Digital Equipment Corporation", item 2023.52, photographs of the unit and its rating label, collection.maynardhistory.org. See File:DECpc 320P rating label (Maynard Historical Society).jpg.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 GRiD, GRiD 1755 Users Guide, p. 12, "Information About Rechargeable Batteries".
  6. ↑ DigitalIceAge, "DECpc 320P", photograph, 2020, Wikimedia Commons, commons.wikimedia.org. Keyboard legends.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 GRiD, GRiD 1755 Users Guide, pp. 36 to 37, "Special Key Combinations".
  8. ↑ "GRi D 1755 User Guide", archive.org item description, archive.org.
  9. ↑ GRiD, GRiD 1755 Users Guide, pp. 15 to 16, "Using Resume".
  10. ↑ MacDat, "Digital DECpc 320P", macdat.net, retrieved 1 October 2026.
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