There exists a passionate group of enthusiasts who refuse to say goodbye to their cherished IBM PC110 palmtops, refusing to let these vintage machines fade into oblivion. As technology advances at a rapid pace, many classic devices face an uncertain fate, often relegated to the dustbin of history or, in a more metaphorical sense, to the Great Big Data Center in the Sky. Unfortunately, for these IBM PC110 owners, the journey of repairing their beloved devices can be particularly challenging. This is largely due to the scarcity of technical documentation and the difficulty in sourcing replacement parts for these rare devices.

Recognizing this pressing need, innovator Ahmad Byagowi has embarked on an ambitious project aimed at not only gathering every piece of available schematic and datasheet related to the IBM PC110 but also reverse-engineering the original circuit boards of the machine. By utilizing advanced techniques such as optical and x-ray scans, Byagowi's project has already successfully recreated essential components including the motherboard, power supply, modem, keyboard, and RAM module printed circuit boards (PCBs) using KiCad, a popular open-source electronic design automation software.

Just last week, the project made significant strides by releasing production-ready Gerbers for all the boards, which are essential files used to fabricate the physical PCB. However, the project's activity suggests that this is just the beginning. With over 45 updates (commits) to the project repository since the release, it’s evident that the work is ongoing and the designs are still being refined. Given the complexity of such an endeavor, it is not surprising that multiple iterations are required to perfect the designs. In fact, even seasoned professionals have encountered challenges when working on simpler board layouts consisting of fewer than a dozen components.

Ahmad Byagowi is actively seeking the support of the community to further this project. He has made an open call for anyone who can assist by reviewing the boards for potential issues or by reporting any problems that may arise. Moreover, he is on a quest for any datasheets or documentation that may be available for the IBM PC110 or its various components. It appears that there is still more schematic work to be done, so if you find joy in unraveling the mysteries of how a nearly 30-year-old computer was internally wired, this initiative might just be the perfect summer project for you.

Interestingly, this endeavor aligns with a broader trend in the maker community, where open-source tools empower hobbyists to undertake intricate projects previously reserved for industrial and academic environments. For instance, our very own Arya Voronova has been working on a similar project, developing a drop-in replacement motherboard for the Sony Vaio P. The fact that enthusiasts can now tackle such complex tasks using free and open-source tools is a testament to the rapid advancements in technology and community-driven innovation over recent years.

We extend our gratitude to user adistuder for bringing this compelling story to our attention.