Try this with an ordinary computer
Written on May 23rd , 2026 by Tech Ads
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The new Epson HX-20 is no ordinary computer.
Not by a long shot. It’s the world’s only Notebook
Computer with the power of a desktop and the
portability of a handheld.
So you can do serious computing, data proces-
sing, even word processing. Anytime. Anywhere.
To start with the HX-20 has 16K RAM (option-
ally expandable to 32K), 32K ROM (optionally
expandable to 64K), RS-232C and serial inter-
faces, a full-size ASCII keyboard, a built-in micro-
printer with dot addressable graphics, a scrollable
LCD screen, five programmable function keys,
and... well, that’s just the beginning.
The HX-20 is small enough to tuck inside a
briefcase or under your arm. It runs on internal
power for 50-plus hours and recharges in eight. It
lets you interface with peripherals like MX Series
printers, the CX-20 battery-powered acoustic
coupler, a barcode reader, and audio cassette.
And you can even get it with options like a micro-
; Try this with ordinary
computer.
cassette drive, ROM cartridge, floppy disk and
display controller.
Now, prepare to have your mind boggled by
one more feature: the price. The Epson HX-20
Portable Notebook Computer retails for less than
$800. That’s right — less. Which means it’s just
right for students, businesspeople, kids — any-
body who's looking for an affordable way into
serious computing.
Powerful. Portable. Affordable. The HX-20 is
just what you'd expect
from Epson.
The extraordinary.
EPSON
EPSON AMERICA, INC.
COMPUTER PRODUCTS DIVISION
3415 Kashiwa Street + Torrance, California 90505 * (213) 539-9140
Circle no. 138 on reader service card.
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‘Try this with an ordinary computer’
The Epson HX-20 was an early portable computer produced by the Epson corporation. Based around 2 Hitachi 6301 CPUs running at a little over 0.5Mhz each, the HX-20 was equipped with 16KB ram, a built in dot-matrix printer, and a display capable of show either 4 lines of 20 characters or 120 x 32 pixels. HX-20 was capable of being powered by rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries or via main power. The HX-20 launched at around 795USD.
A September 1983 Byte Magazine review of the HX-20 can be read at the Internet Archive
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