Sharp PC-E500S

Sharp PC-E500S

Sharp PC-E500S in RUN mode (BASIC programming)
Type	Pocket computer
Introduced	1995; 31 years ago (1995)
Discontinued	2003; 23 years ago (2003) (last known production run so far: 2001; 25 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 is a 1995 pocket computer by Sharp Corporation which 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)

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, 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

• 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.

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

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