website/content/museum/atari-portfolio.md

---
title: Atari PORTFOLIO
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Pocket
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1989'
cpus:
- Intel 80C88
params:
  name: PORTFOLIO
  image: /media/museum/photos/atari_portfolio_1.jpg
  company: /companies/atari
  company_name: Atari
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: PORTFOLIO
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Atari
  - label: TYPE
    value: Pocket
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1989'
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: None
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Calculator-type keyboard, 63 keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 80C88
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4.9512 Mhz
  - label: RAM
    value: 128 kb (up to 640 kb)
  - label: ROM
    value: 256 kb
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 x 8 (Supertwist LCD display)
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 260 x 64 dots
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 7.8 x 4 .1 x 1.2 inches / 15.87 ounces with batteries
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: 60 pin expansion bus, RAM Card port
  - label: OS
    value: DIP-DOS (compatible with MS DOS 2.11)
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: 3 AA alkaline batteries or optional AC adaptor
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 32 KB and 128 KB RAM or ROM memory cards
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  - hardware
  - links
  forum_thread: 360
  photos:
  - title: ATARI PORTFOLIO
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/atari_portfolio_2.jpg
  hardware:
  - title: 64 KB RAMCARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: 'Several cards were available: 64 KB, 128 KB and 256 KB.'
    image: /media/museum/hardware/atari_portfolio_64kramcard.jpg
  - title: 128 KB RAMCARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/atari_portfolio_128kramcard.jpg
  - title: MEMORY EXPANDER +
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      This Adds 256 KB to the main memory and adds an extra memory card slot.\
      A second one could be added (as it features an expansion bus, also for a parallel or serial interface) thus increasing the Portfolio's memory to 640 KB.

      Thanks to **P. Bakker**
    image: /media/museum/hardware/atari_portfolio_256kramexp.jpg
  - title: HPC-301 RAMCARD READER
    subtitle: ''
    text: This card reader was developped by Atari for desktop PC. It was connected to an ISA card and allowed PC to use the Portfolio Memory cards.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/atari_portfolio_ramcardreader_1.jpg
  - title: PARALLEL INTERFACE
    subtitle: ''
    text: Allowed the Portfolio to be connected to any Parallel Centronics compatible printer
    image: /media/museum/hardware/atari_portfolio_parallelinterf_1.jpg
  - title: SERIAL RS232 INTERFACE
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/atari_portfolio_serialinterf_1.jpg
  - title: MODEM INTERFACE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Provides the Portfolio with a modem capability using an acoustic coupler.

      Thanks to **P. Bakker**
    image: /media/museum/hardware/atari_portfolio_modem_s1.jpg
  links:
  - title: 1990 Newspaper article about the portfolio
    url: http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/old/08572662.htm
    text: ''
  - title: Atari Portfolio as a Linux terminal !
    url: http://www.online-center.com/prog/apt_main.htm
    text: ''
  - title: Atari Portfolio FAQ
    url: http://www.blinkenlights.com/classiccmp/portfolio.txt
    text: Portfolio Frequently Asked Questions BJ Gleason
  - title: Atari Portfolio Software Service
    url: http://www.gabistapler.de/pofosoft/index.htm
    text: Downloads for the Portfolio
  - title: Die ultimative Seite für den ATARI Portfolio Handheld
    url: http://www.palmzip.de/
    text: Some useful info here including software download
  - title: Mario's Atari Portfolio WWW Page
    url: http://gem.win.co.nz/mario/pofo/
    text: ''
  - title: The Atari PortFolio WebSite
    url: http://www.atari-portfolio.co.uk/
    text: Portfolio info with download section
  - title: www.pofowiki.de
    url: http://www.pofowiki.de
    text: Wiki dedicated to the Atari Portfolio (in german)
  oc_id: 356
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230601001742/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=356
    date: '2023-06-01'
---

The Portfolio was one of the first, if not the first MSDOS compatible pocket computer. It was fully compatible with the [IBM PC](/museum/ibm-pc-model-5150/) standard, although it was difficult to use software because of its very small screen.

Its card drive can accept :\
\- optional 32K, 64K or 128K memory (RAM) cards,\
\- 64K or 128K programmable (PROM) cards,\
\- 128K masked ROM cards,\
\- and 512K Flash Memory cards.

It had several built-in programs :\
\- Worksheet: Lotus 1-2-3 File-compatible spreadsheet,\
\- Text editor with basic word processing funtions,\
\- Calculator with five memories, four number formats and editable "tape" of calculations,\
\- Address book with virtually unlimited name and address storage and automatic phone dialing,\
\- Personal calendar/appointment book with programmable alarms,\
\- File transfer to upload and download files from compatible PC using optional Smart Parallel Interface,\
\- Clipboard to move or copy data within a file or between files or programs,\
\- and an operating system similar to MS-DOS 2.11

A lot of interfaces were developped for this computer including MIDI I/O.

**Fun fact**: This computer appeared in Terminator 2. It was used by young John Connor to break into an ATM bank machine.

---

**Malcolm Ramage** specifies:\
While you have the machine down as originating from the US, the machine was developed by the UK firm known as DIPP, who developed the machine, but did not have the finance or ability to distribute it. As a result, Atari took on the distribution and manufacture of the device, while DIPP provided the groundwork for the new portable Atari's, STylus (ST Pad) and the ST Book.