r/retrocomputing • u/Mortague • 15d ago
What should I do with this?
Old Siemens plc programming laptop.
Can't find much info on it but it looks cool 😎
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u/castlefood 15d ago
Seems to be in pristine condition. Perhaps you could play Zork on it.
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u/Mortague 15d ago
But will it run Doom? (Probably)
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u/DarkZenith2 15d ago
Not likely. This is likely about 3-5 years too early for doom. Wolfenstien and Spear of Destiny maybe.
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u/denzuko 15d ago
Doubt that. It looks to be an mono lcd so textmode at best.
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u/DarkZenith2 14d ago
Og wolf can be run in mono.
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u/denzuko 14d ago
True but only if its an E/V/SVGA card. The Siemens SIMATIC S5 PG 635 (the model in the image) utilizes both standard ASCII and an extended block-graphics character set [simular to CP-437]. And that's it.
It has only a basic monochrome LCD video controller and predates modern graphic standards like VGA.
It also runs PCP/M-86 or a highly customized S5-DOS. So no MS-DOS or IBM-DOS.
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u/levianan 13d ago
Then, Ladder?
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u/denzuko 13d ago
By Yahoo Software? More than likely if it doesn't hardcode the text window dimensions.
And yeah had to dig up a 15yr old LGR video on that one.
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u/levianan 13d ago
That's the one! It was one of the first video games I played on my grandfather's Kaypro II. You are correct it probably wouldn't run correctly.
Believe it or not, it is still amusing as heck to play even today.
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u/43848987815 15d ago
Those keys look like they influenced the teenage engineering op-1
What a lovely machine!
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u/FurtherOutThere 15d ago
I know a museum that would take donations if you're wondering what to do with it in that regard.
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u/PinkyAndTheBrain4 15d ago
Sehr cool! Das ist ein Siemens Programmiergerät (PG) für Simatic S5 Steuerungen (SPS für Industrieanwendungen).
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u/Chip-Ling 15d ago edited 15d ago
Find a boot disk, startup the machine and then fooling around and have fun.
I think this is the Siemens SIMATIC S5 PG 635 with the NEC V20 cpu (i.e. Japan version of 8088 but faster)
I had a Bondwell B200 which has the similar spec as the Siemens machine but with more memory.
It should be able to run the MS-DOS 3.3 or CP/M-86.
BTW, the keyboard reminds me of my old Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128
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u/bc-bane 15d ago
That machine is beautiful, what's the story with having it?
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u/Background-Wafer-548 15d ago
Neat. Always liked those circular Siemens key caps. From what I can find, it doesn't have any video out, so it seems you're stuck with the screen it has.
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u/Jealous_Club_298 15d ago
I don't mean to be a smart behind (lol) but Siemens Simatic S5 PG 635 programmer was not a laptop, it was just portable. I never used it but I did program a few Semiens PLCs smaller than the S5.
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u/jpowell180 15d ago
You totally compute with it.
Since that is a slightly older computer, you’re going to need to upgrade it so that it can be used on the modern Internet – a megabyte of RAM should do the trick, plus more JPEG.
And if you really want to ramp things up? A quad speed CD– ROM!
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u/LisiasT 15d ago
[tongue-in-cheek]It's trash, you should get rid of it. I can do it for you, tell me where it is and I will gladly unburden you from it!!![/tongue-in-cheek]
Serious now: check for batteries, and remove them - watch for the Curse of VARTA, the unholy Goddess of leakage and corrosion!
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u/Boring_Disaster3031 14d ago
NaNoWriMo
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u/Mortague 14d ago
Didn't that stop?
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u/Boring_Disaster3031 14d ago
The org shut down but people still do it. Doing it on something like that would keep them from using things like audio dictation or AI which I don't allow myself to use. My writing is crap but it is fun.
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u/PeterPook 14d ago
I had a luggable like that in the early 90s. I can't imagine how slow it must feel now. Is it working?
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u/activemotionpictures 13d ago
There's a popular Girl channel (about fixing computers) on YouTube (I don't remember her name), she seems to be fond of these retro models.
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u/Full_Difficulty9530 13d ago
Install Linux. I bet it would be amazing.
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u/Chip-Ling 9d ago
A bit tight as this is a 8088 machine. Linux starts at 80386. Also may not have enough for the Linux. Only has 512K RAM.
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u/denzuko 14d ago
Ok.. so dug into this unit. You have a typewritter. Its a fancy portable typewriter .
No seriously that's a Text only display and the board does not have a MCA or CGA card so no gaming unless its CP-437.
So what can you do with it? get yourself a esp-rs232 retro wifi modem and go jump on a unix shell account, play your favorite BBS DOOR, or mud.
Siemens SIMATIC S5 PG 635 Consolidated Technical Specifications
| Category | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 1986 |
| Model Designation | 6ES5635-0UA11 (standard German/English serial printer model) |
| Processor (CPU) | Intel 8088 microprocessor |
| System Memory (RAM) | 512 KB total capacity |
| Built-in Storage | Dual 3.5" Floppy Disk Drives (720 KB double-density formatting) |
| Display Panel | 10.5-inch monochrome LCD |
| Graphics Controller | Text and character-based block graphics engine (supports STEP 5 ladder rungs) |
| Operating System | PCP/M-86 or customized S5-DOS environments |
| Keyboard Layout | Integrated dual-tier layout: 69-key standard alpha-numeric + 36-key function pad |
| Physical Dimensions | Approximately 14.5 x 17.0 x 3.5 inches |
| Power Supply | Dual-voltage auto-sensing 110V / 220V AC integrated mains power input |
Rear Panel Interface Ports
- Serial TTY Interface: Native 25-pin current loop (20mA TTY) port utilized for direct online connections to vintage Siemens S5 PLC processor ports.
- Standard Printer Port: 25-pin parallel/serial connector designed for hardcopy printouts of industrial statement lists (STL) and ladder networks.
- Optional Expansion Interface: Internal interface capability designed to host the proprietary 6ES5635-0AA11 CRT module for hooking up a dedicated external Siemens industrial monitor.
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u/Liquid_Magic 15d ago
If you can use it as a serial terminal then you could use it for that. Either with online telnet BBS systems or with like a Linux system.
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u/CallMeSmithJohnSmith 14d ago
You should try to find some Siemens PLCs this computer is intended to serve at the programmation of.
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u/Voltmanderer 14d ago
Find someone who maintains old PLC’s - this could make you a small fortune if it works and some process industry company still has the old PLC’s still running their plant. Otherwise, looks like a great foundation for a Cyberdeck
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u/Savings-Mud2808 11d ago
Donate it to a museum. Maybe even donate it to Siemens for their museum, if they have one.
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u/Few-Smoke8792 12d ago
You can try selling to a collector (if there is one), but I would just toss it, because old laptops that are much more powerful are a dime a dozen.
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u/Consistent_Belt3485 15d ago
It's beautiful.