Sharp PC-E500S

Sharp PC-E500S

Sharp PC-E500S in RUN mode (BASIC programming)
Type	Pocket computer
Introduced	1995; 29 years ago (1995)
Discontinued	2003; 21 years ago (2003) (last known production run so far: 2001; 23 years ago (2001))
Predecessor	Sharp PC-E500
Calculator
Entry mode	Infix, BASIC,
Precision	10 (single precision) 20 (double precision; not available in CAL, MATRIX, and STAT modes)
Display type	LCD dot-matrix
Display size	4×40 characters
CPU
Processor	Sharp SC62015
Frequency	2.304 MHz
Programming
Programming language(s)	BASIC
User memory	32 KB (built-in), custom-expandable to 256 KB
Firmware memory	256 KB
Interfaces
Ports	1 vendor-specific (serial/printer/disk drive) 1 TTL-level serial communications port
Other
Power supply	4× AAA 1× CR2016
Power consumption	0.09 W
Weight	340 g (including lid and batteries)
Dimensions	22×10.45×1.9 cm (lid closed)

The Sharp PC-E500S was a 1995 pocket computer by Sharp Corporation and was the successor to the 1989 PC-E500 model, featuring a 2.304 MHz CMOS CPU.

Description

It was slightly wider, and the keys are slightly larger than the previous model. The display had more contrast, and the keyboard cover is a (removable) hinged lid (clamshell) instead of plastic slipcase. There were also four additional BASIC commands (Multiline IF ... ENDIF, WHILE ... WEND, REPEAT ... UNTIL, SWITCH ... CASE ... ENDSWITCH)^[1]

It came with 32 KB of RAM which could be upgraded to 96 KB using memory expansion cards. The monochrome LCD had 240×32 pixels which could display four lines with 40 characters per line as well as graphics. The 256 KB system ROM that contained the BIOS, a diagnostic suite,^[2] and the BASIC interpreter used to program the device.

An algebraic calculation system was included. The Algebraic Expression Reserve (AER) memory: Frequently used formulas or constants could be stored in memory and recalled for repeated use. The PC-E500 series also performed as a scientific calculator when switched into 'CAL' mode.

It also included an X<>Y exchange key for working with complex numbers and polar to rectangular conversions.

Applications

• Mathematics (integers, equations, differential & integral calculus, formulas and graphs)
• Physics
• Earth sciences
• Meteorology
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Geology
• Electrical engineering
• Mechanical engineering

In addition things like amino acids and the periodic table of elements were available. These built-in programs were accessed through a menu system and special function keys. There was also a built-in menu editor to add new software to the menus or indeed replace some built-in software or formulas.

Operating modes

• BASIC (programming and execution)
• CAL (scientific calculator)
• MATRIX (matrices calculations)
• STAT (statistics)
• ENG (engineering)
• AER (algebraic expressions editor). This mode can be accessed from the second main menu page (press up/down arrow near the lower left display corner).

Accuracy

• 10 digits (mantissa) + 2 digits (exponent) in single-precision mode.
• 20 digits (mantissa) + 2 digits (exponent) in double-precision mode.
• In the CAL, MATRIX and STAT modes, only the single precision mode can be used.

Memory expansion

The Sharp PC-E500 series could store data and programs on memory expansion cards as well as the main RAM. Six cards were available:

• CE-210M: 2 KB
• CE-211M: 4 KB
• CE-212M: 8 KB
• CE-2H16M: 16 KB
• CE-2H32M: 32 KB
• CE-2H64M: 64 KB

These cards used a CR1616 lithium battery for memory backup.

The memory configuration was software-switchable from the command-line. The RAM card could be appended to the system memory, replace the system memory or act as a separate space to be used as a RAM drive (F:). The main memory could also be partitioned off to a RAM drive (E:).

Peripherals

^[2]

• CE-126P [de]: Thermal printer & cassette interface.
• CE-140F: 2.5-inch pocket floppy drive.
• CE-130T: RS-232 adaptor level converter.
• CE-135T: RS-232 adaptor level converter. (Macintosh)
• CE-515: 4-color X/Y plotter printer

The PC-E500S had a weight of 340 g (with batteries) and was powered by four AAA batteries. It could, given its power consumption of 0.09 W, be used for about 70 hours on a charge.^[3]

Variants

• PC-E500 (English): 32 KB, engineer software, double precision, slipcase, rubber keys, black, 1988/1989
• PC-E500 (Japanese): 32 KB, engineer software, double precision, Kanji, slipcase, rubber keys, black, 1988^[4]
• PC-E500PJ / PC-E500-BL (Japanese): 32 KB, engineer software, game "HEAVY METAL mini" (by CRISIS Software) preloaded into RAM, double precision, Kanji, slipcase, rubber keys, blue, 1990, limited special edition by Pokecom Journal (PJ)^[5]
• PC-E500S (English): 32 KB, engineer software, double precision, high contrast display, clamshell, plastic keys, black, 1995^[6]
• PC-E550 (Japanese): 64 KB, engineer software, double precision, Kanji, slipcase, rubber keys, white, 1990^[7]
• PC-E650 (Japanese): 64 KB, engineer software, double precision, structured BASIC, Kanji, clamshell, plastic keys, black, 1993^[8]
• PC-1480U (Japanese): 32 KB, no engineer software, "coop uni" label, double precision, Kanji, slipcase, rubber keys, black, 1988^[9]
• PC-1490U (Japanese): 32 KB, no engineer software, "coop uni" label, double precision, Kanji, slipcase, rubber keys, black, 1990^[10]
• PC-1490UII (Japanese): 64 KB, no engineer software, "UNIV. TOOL" label, double precision, Kanji, slipcase, rubber keys?, black, 1991^[11][12]
• PC-U6000 (Japanese): 64 KB, no engineer software, "UNIV. TOOL" label, double precision, Kanji, clamshell, plastic keys, black, 1993^[13][14]

See also

• Sharp pocket computer character sets

References

• SHARP Pocket Computer Model PC-E500 Operation Manual. Sharp Corporation. 1989. 9G1KS(TINSE1189ECZZ).
• SHARP Taschencomputer Modell PC-E500S Bedienungsanleitung [SHARP Pocket Computer Model PC-E500S Operation Manual] (PDF) (in German). Sharp Corporation. 1995. 6J3KS(TINSG1223ECZZ). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-02-24.

External links

• Sharp PC-E500 Pocket Computer from 1989 on YouTube—demo of a Japanese PC-E500

This page was last edited on 2 December 2023, at 07:57