The Olivetti M15 is a portable personal computer with 80C88 processor. It was produced in 1987 by the Italian company Olivetti. It is a laptop with monochrome LCD display and internal NiCd battery. The operating system is MSDOS. With regard to data storage media, the Olivetti M15 is equipped with two internal floppy disk drives, 3.5", 720KB.
Its big brother, the Olivetti M15 Plus, can be equipped with a 20MB hard drive, instead of one of the two floppy drives, and the LCD display has backlighting, which the M15 does not have.
The keyboard is removable: it can be used both in its housing, and externally to it.
I had the opportunity to purchase this laptop on the Facebook group "Retro Computer, Audio and Vintage Electronics". A member of the group sold this computer at a low price, because it has some small defects in the LCD monitor.
In addition to the computer, I also bought the original Olivetti power supply, the cables and the original bag for transporting the computer.
Startup screen
The computer boots with Resident Diagnostics: These are ROM-resident diagnostic programs that verify that the computer is working properly. Diagnostic programs test the operation of: CPU (80C88), ROM, Timer, Interrupt, DMA, LCD controller, video RAM and system RAM.
After the initial self-test, the computer searches for a startup disk. If not present, it prompts you to insert it into the A: drive and press a button.
The computer then starts with the Microsoft MS-DOS operating system version 3.20.
Technical characteristics of the Olivetti M15
CPU: 80C88, 16-bit, 4.77 MHz
ROM: 16 KB
RAM: 256 KB, expandable up to 512 KB, my computer has 512 KB
Graphics: Integrated LCD, monochrome, 16 KB video memory
Text mode: 80 columns x 25 rows or 40 columns x 25 rows
Graphics mode: 640 x 200 pixels or 320 x 200 pixels
Audio: Built-in system speaker
Keyboard: Detachable, QWERTY 78 keys, includes function keys and numeric keypad
Battery: NiCd, 4.8V, 4400mAh, allows computer use for 6-8 hours
Software supplied: Microsoft MS-DOS version 3.20
Storage media: n. 2 internal floppy disk drives, 3.5", 720 KB
Expansion ports:
- Centronics
- External Floppy Disk Drive, Optional, 5.25
- Serial (RS 232C)
- Common Bus
Dimensions and weight: 385 x 276 x 72 mm, 5.7 Kg
Emulation
The portable computer starts with the Microsoft MS-DOS operating system. It is possible to emulate the MS-DOS environment with DOSBox (although DOSBox is an emulator for x86-based systems).
Power supply
The Olivetti laptop personal power supply is external, 48VA. It accepts mains voltages from 100 V to 240 V alternating, 50-60 Hz. It has a 5V. direct current output, to power the laptop, and a second output to charge the computer battery. The computer draws 20 W maximum.
Papers
1. Olivetti M15, technical specifications
2. Olivetti M15, installation and operations guide
Collection entry date: 18/11/2022
Hello. Thanks for the interesting article.
Recently, I also received such a computer.
I want to take it apart to clean and check the plastic hinges. Could you tell me how to remove the display, is it possible to disassemble it?
Thanks for the answer.
Hello. Thank you. Unfortunately, I have not disassembled the LCD yet, so I have no experience on how to do it.
Hello,
I bought a brand new M15 in 1989 and still have it with boot disks and manuals, but the original computer bag was stolen – is it possible to buy a new one?
Hello! I’m not a seller. I just show my collection in this blog. I think it is difficult to find the bag. I think you should keep eBay and Vinted monitored for some time, in order to see if somebody is selling it.