This section summarizes the additional design exceptions and design requirements for mobile PCs beyond those defined for Basic PC 98.
1. Mobile PC performance meets PC 98 minimum requirements
Required
For mobile PC systems based on Intel Architecture processors, minimum PC 98 performance requirements include the following:
Recommended: 32 MB RAM.
For mini-notebook requirements, see the “Mini-notebook Guidelines” section later in this chapter.
2. Mobile PC supports Smart Battery or ACPI-specified battery
| Required |
Recommended: Smart Battery.
If Smart Battery is implemented, the battery must meet the requirements defined in the Smart Battery System Specification, and the charger must comply with the Smart Battery Charger Specification, Version 1.0, both of which are available at http://www.sbs-forum.org.
If a multiple-battery system using Smart Battery is implemented, the system must have a battery selector that complies with the Smart Battery Selector Specification, Version 1.0, also available at http://www.sbs-forum.org.
An embedded controller or System Management Bus (SMBus) interface is required on systems that contain a Smart Battery solution, as described Section 13 of the ACPI 1.0 specification.
An ACPI Control Method Battery, defined in Section 11 of the ACPI 1.0 specification, also meets the PC 98 battery requirement.
3. Expansion capabilities of mobile PC are accessible to users
Required
Expansion capabilities in a mobile PC usually require external connections and, occasionally, additional internal components. The expansion slot is almost always physically blocked by access doors. Such doors are recommended for traveling integrity and to minimize entry of dust. This requirement is met if the user can access such external expansion slots without tools.
Internal expansion capabilities that require internal replacements, such as CPU, memory, built-in modem, and so on, are exempt from this requirement.
4. Mobile PC connections use icons plus keyed or shrouded connectors
Required
This requirement is the same as for Basic PC 98, except that for mobile PC designs, with small-height considerations, connector icons might not fit on the back of the case. In such cases, it is acceptable to wrap the icons to the bottom of the unit or place them on the inside of an access door.
5. Mobile PC includes a USB port
Required
For mobile PCs, a USB port must be built into the PC, not provided solely by port replicators or docking stations, although these units can provide extra USB connectors.
6. Mobile PC includes an IEEE 1394 port
Recommended
A docking station should include at least one IEEE 1394 port, as defined in the PC 98 system requirements in the “Basic PC 98” chapter in Part 2 of this guide. If implemented on a mobile PC unit, the IEEE 1394 port must comply with the requirements defined in the 1394 Device Power Management specification when the final draft is approved by the 1394 Trade Association. For more information about power management requirements for IEEE 1394, see the “IEEE 1394” chapter in Part 3 of this guide.
7. USB-connected device does not maintain fully on power state
Required
An internal device that connects to the mobile PC using USB must not continually maintain the system in a fully-on power state. Such a device will override system power-management settings that control power-saving modes to protect battery life. When any USB device is connected but not active, the driver must allow system power management to suspend the notebook.
8. Mobile PC includes CardBus
Required
At least one 32-bit Type-2 CardBus slot (not 16-bit) is required. Additionally, Zoomed Video (ZV) support is recommended.
Note: Each device in a multifunction add-on device—such as a CardBus card—must separately meet the power management device class specifications for its device class and be independently power managed. This means that both device A and device B on the same add-on card do not have to be idle before the devices can be power managed. For information, including all requirements for CardBus support, see the “PC Card” chapter in Part 3 of this guide.
9. Mobile PC keyboard and pointing device meet PC 98 requirements
Required
The internal keyboard and any built-in pointing devices such a mouse, stylus, pen, touch pad, touch screen, trackball, stick, and so on required for a mobile PC should use standard system-board devices. The USB port can be used to support the requirement for external pointing device and keyboard connections. Alternatively, two PS/2-style ports can be implemented for the pointing device and keyboard, or a single PS/2-style port can be provided for both the pointing device and the keyboard.
For more information, see the “I/O Ports and Devices” chapter in Part 4 of this guide, which also provides information about implementing the recommended Windows and application logo keys on mobile PCs.
10. Mobile PC includes wireless capabilities
Recommended
If implemented, IrDA fast IR is recommended for synchronizing data exchanges with new peripherals such as digital still cameras. In addition, the software must have access to turning off the interface (D3 power state) using bus-specific methods or the methods defined in Section 3.4 of the ACPI 1.0 specification.
Standards for wireless PC peripherals are being developed within IrDA, with completion expected in 1997. For information, see the “I/O Ports and Devices chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
11. Mobile PC includes support for installing the operating system
Required
For mobile PCs, it is recognized that the system as purchased might not include all peripherals required for operating-system installation. Therefore, the Basic PC 98 system support for user installation of the operating system is required, but the user might need to access another PC 98 computer using a serial, parallel, or network connection to complete installation.
12. Mobile PC audio meets PC 98 audio requirements
Recommended
If audio is implemented in a mobile PC system, it should meet the requirements for PC 98 audio as defined in the “Audio Components” chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
13. Mobile PC includes communications device
Recommended
The recommended communication devices and guidelines are the same for mobile PCs as for Basic PC 98. The exception for modems is that if modem capabilities are integrated in the base platform, then V.80 or better is required. If modem capabilities are not integrated in the base platform, then V.80 is recommended. The exception for network adapters is that support is optional for remote new system setup capabilities as defined in the “Network Communications” chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
Notice that the presence of a CardBus slot on the mobile PC meets the Basic PC 98 requirement for providing either a modem or network adapter with a Mobile PC 98 system.
14. Built-in display adapter meets PC 98 minimum requirements
Required
The minimum required resolution for the built-in display is 800 × 600 × 16 bpp or 1024 × 768 × 8 bpp.
Important: For mobile PCs, most Basic PC 98 graphics requirements apply. However, the following are recommended rather than required for mobile PCs:
Notice that if a docking station is implemented, the base unit BIOS must have support for multiple adapters and multiple monitors as defined in the “Graphics Adapters” chapter in Part 4 of this guide. This support allows a user to add a graphics adapter in the docking station.
15. Mobile system supports hot pluggable devices and alternative server connections
| Recommended |
For a mobile system, the following are additional design considerations:
Support for remote wake up is not required for mobile PCs running on battery power. A CardBus implementation that supports the power management event (PME) signal meets this requirement, whether or not cards are available for testing. For information about PME signal definition, see PCI Bus Power Management Interface Specification for PCI to CardBus Bridge, Revision 1.0 or higher.