View source for Gateway HandBook

{{Redirect|HandBook|type of reference work|Handbook}}
{{Infobox computing device
| name=HandBook
| logo=
| image=Hb486 dillo big.jpg
| caption=A HandBook 486 running the [[Dillo]] web browser on [[Linux]]
| cpu={{ubl|[[Chips and Technologies]] 8680 (original)|[[i486|Intel 486]] (HandBook 486)}}
| dimensions={{convert|9.7|by|5.9|by|1.6|in|mm}}
| weight=<{{convert|3|lb|kg}}
| memory={{ubl|640&nbsp;KB [[Random-access memory|RAM]] stock (original)|4&nbsp;MB RAM stock (HandBook 486)}}
| lifespan=1992–1996
| releasedate={{start date and age|1992}}
| developer={{ubl|[[Gateway, Inc.|Gateway 2000]]|[[Parasitic Engineering|Howard Fullmer]]|Bob Burnett|Rick Murayama}}
| manufacturer=Tottori Sanyo
| type=[[Subnotebook]]
}}
The '''HandBook''' was a very small and lightweight [[subnotebook]] originally introduced by [[Gateway, Inc.|Gateway 2000]] in 1992. It quickly achieved critical acclaim and a cult-like following, especially in [[Japan]].

It was designed by IQV and Tottori Sanyo and manufactured by Tottori Sanyo in Japan. The lead engineer on the product was [[Parasitic Engineering|Howard Fullmer]] and other significant contributors included Bob Burnett and Rick Murayama.

The product was only {{convert|9.7|in|mm|abbr=on}} wide, {{convert|5.9|in|mm|abbr=on}} deep, and {{convert|1.6|in|mm|abbr=on}} high, and weighed less than {{convert|3|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/HAND486/486DX2SP.shtml Gateway Support - 486DX2-40/DX2-50 HandBook 486 Specifications]</ref> While it used a Chips and Technologies 8680 microprocessor, it was marketed as having [[Intel 80286|286]]-level performance.<ref>[https://groups.google.com/groups?selm=3vocj2%24hhd%40umt.umt.edu groups.google.com]</ref><ref>[http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/HAND286/HB2SPEC.shtml Gateway Support - HandBook 286 Specifications]</ref> The C&T chip set included hardware emulation of the Intel 80186 processor and the HandBook used a special feature of the chip set called SuperSet whereby 80286 instructions were trapped and then emulated in software. This same feature was used to emulate the 8051 keyboard controller, serial port and numerous other I/O functions. Intel worked closely with IQV to include similar capabilities in the SL chip sets which were introduced in the mid-90s.

The HandBook had 640&nbsp;KB of RAM, a 20&nbsp;MB [[hard disk|hard drive]], and a monochrome blue-white [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]]-compatible display. The unit could be powered by a rechargeable NiMH battery or six AA batteries in a special battery pack. The rechargeable batteries were unusual in that they are able to be charged without actually being in the laptop. A floppy disk was attached through a proprietary [[parallel port]] connector. A tremendous engineering effort went into the design of the HandBook's keyboard. It featured 17.8&nbsp;mm center-to center key spacing and 2&nbsp;mm travel for a firm feel.

After the success of the original Gateway HandBook, Gateway came out with a 486 model. The HandBook 486 (as it was called) was originally available as two models: A [[Intel 80486SX|486SX/25]] and a [[Intel 80486DX|486DX/40]] model. Gateway later on came out with HandBook 486 models utilizing a [[Intel 80486SX|486SX/33]] or [[Intel 80486DX|486DX/50]] processor. All of these handbooks used a grayscale 640x480 [[Video Graphics Array|VGA]] display. Because of the small size of the unit, the display was distorted — what appear as circles on other displays come out as ovals on the HandBook 486.

The built-in hard disk for the HandBook 486 was usually 120&nbsp;MB in size. The HandBook 486 was produced between 1993 and 1995.<ref>[https://groups.google.com/groups?selm=1993Oct1.091148.54016%40kuhub.cc.ukans.edu groups.google.com]</ref><ref>[https://groups.google.com/groups?selm=CI3K5t.Fys%40news.Hawaii.Edu groups.google.com]</ref><ref>[http://groups.google.cl/groups?selm=varmas-161295154943%40129.59.192.40 groups.google.cl]</ref> The HandBook 486 had 4&nbsp;MB of built-in [[Random access memory|RAM]], which can be expanded to 20&nbsp;MB. As of 2005, it is still possible to buy memory for the HandBook 486, although one should test the memory with [[memtest]] since memory for older computers is more likely to be defective.

It was possible to install [[Linux]] or [[OpenBSD]] on these computers; the HandBook 486 is probably the earliest Linux-compatible subnotebook released. It was even possible to run the [[X Window System]] after the memory was expanded. The HandBook 486 has a [[PC card|PCMCIA II]] interface. While Modern [[Cardbus]] cards do not work with this interface, most older PCMCIA II cards (as long as they use no more than 250&nbsp;mA of power)<ref>[http://support.3com.com/infodeli/inotes/techtran/2506_5ea.htm 3C589 - Gateway HandBook]</ref> work fine. The HandBook 486 also has a pointing device similar to the IBM [[Pointing stick|trackpoint]] located on the right hand side of the keyboard just above the enter key.

The Gateway HandBook remains one of the smallest laptops ever produced and was a precursor to  [[Netbook]]s such as the [[Asus Eee PC]], the [[Dell Inspiron Mini Series]], and the [[Acer Aspire One]]. The Acer Aspire One is about the same size as the HandBook, and exists in a Gateway-branded form as the Gateway LT1004u.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.angelfire.com/al/priddyink/handbook486.html Linux on a HandBook 486]
*[http://jeff.mulb.us/articles/gwhb/gwhb.htm Retrofitting a HandBook 486 with modern components]
*[http://jim.rees.org/computers/gwhb.html OpenBSD on a HandBook 486]
*[http://www.byte.com/art/9410/sec13/art4.htm 1994 Byte magazine comparison of this laptop with other laptops of the same era] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050216110754/http://www.byte.com/art/9410/sec13/art4.htm |date=2005-02-16 }}
*[http://www.byte.com/art/9403/sec8/art9.htm 1994 Byte magazine comparison of this laptop with other laptops of the same era 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606211647/http://www.byte.com/art/9403/sec8/art9.htm |date=2007-06-06 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091027114618/http://geocities.com/jim_doria/handbook/hbookgraphics.htm Optimizing Graphics for the HandBook 486]
*[http://dotcommie.net/projects/handbook/ Gateway HandBook 486 modding]

{{Gateway, Inc.}}

[[Category:Gateway, Inc. laptops|HandBook]]
[[Category:Subnotebooks]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1992]]