MP989

MP989

I hadn't been able to supply new factory replacement keyboards for the MP989 - I recently discovered, quite by accident, that the MP975 Keyboard works just fine in the MP989

The MP989 was the most advanced laptop, produced by Chicony, that was sold in the USA - this was how Chicony touted the MP989. When it was tested by a well known computer magazine the MP989 defeated the then top-of-the-line Dell Inspiron laptop as the best desktop replacement machine.

The MP989 was sold, with some minor custom features plus a black paint job, as the Micron Transport NX.

Some other brand names that sold the MP989: The AMS Tech Rodeo 3500 series (Rodeo 3000 is the MP978 or MP979), Brick Big Screen 5. In Europe as the Vobis Highscreen Advanced III and the Maxdata Artist Eton Pro.

Just before Chicony ended laptop production a Pentium III version of the MP989 was developed and sold in Europe as the MP999.

MP989 CPU's

The MP989 uses 66 MHz FSB MMC2 CPU modules -- Pentium II or Celeron modules only. The fastest PII module in this package was a 400 MHz CPU and the fastest Celeron was a 466 MHz module. Celerons have half the onboard module L2 cache and so are not as effective at "caching" data passing off the CPU module. Raw number cruching aplications may benefit from the slighly faster clock speed of the Celeron, but memory intensive aplications may run faster with the larger cache on the 400 MHz PII module and the 366 MHz PII modules are the most bang for the buck (dollar) CPU module and are only about 10% slower that the other modules -- yet much cheaper.

Note: None of the 100 MHz FSB P2 MMC2 CPU's will operate in the MP989 and no PIII CPU MMC2 module will operate in a MP989.

MP989 Memory

Memory modules up to 256MB (the expensive 16 chip - 16x8 modules) can be installed in the MP989 and with three slots this means that you should have lots of RAM. Cheaper 256MB x 8 chip modules will not fuction correctly and will act as if they were 128MB modules.

Two out of the three memory sockets in the MP989 also require a low profile memory module, since most if not all low density 256MB modules aren't low profile and won't fit into the small area allotted for each of the two right-most memory sockets, this means that the effective maximum memory limit is 512MB with one (1) x 256 plus two (2) x 128MB (Low Profile) modules ---- unless you can uncover some low-profile 16 chip 256 MB modules somewhere.

You could cut away some case plastic plus remove a case screw to make room to install a second 256MB module in the center socket.

The right-most socket area could be modified by somehow removing the CMOS backup battery and battery socket and installing a socket for a smaller 2016 CMOS battery. This later modification should not be attempted unless you have very advanced repair skills. (Do not directly solder a battery into place since these batteries can explode due to the heat of soldering and/or damage to the laptop from shorting against motherboard components could also occur.

Or just use three (3) x 128MB (Low Profile) modules for 384MB's of RAM.

As with it's earlier cousins (MP978 & MP979) this laptop has a "watch" battery for backing up the CMOS settings. Failure of this battery results in the system clock settings being off and all hard drive settings being lost. Not a good thing to have happen when you are traveling. The CMOS battery is near the memory slots and should be change once a year. Cost is a few dollars.

There's a one major design weakness with this machine, the MP989 suffers from a video flicker problem that seems to occur more often with larger LCD's. Since LCD's on most MP989's are 14" TFT or 15" TFT's this means tha most MP989's will suffer from this problem. The video problem is caused by a poor plastic case design/vs. video transfer board mounting. See video flicker page for more details.

MP989 specifications as quoted from Chicony's last website listings:

Chicony's MP989

Features:

The latest notebook trend is to replace the desktop computer, with our MP-989, you don't need two computers anymore. With a HUGE 15" TFT display, the image is as large as a 17" monitor. The CPU supports both Intel Celeron (333-466MHz) and Pentium II (300-400MHz).

Also discover the flexibility with two smartbays, you can use the ZIP drive at the same time as the DVD, or two batteries and DVD at the same time! Other high-end features are: Video-capture, AGP 2x with 8MB video-RAM, docking station and large memory capacity.

RAM:

Few notebooks support as much memory as the MP989, there are three SODIMM bays for a maximum 384MB!

PCMCIA & Battery:

There are two PCMCIA slots, one type II and one Type II/III, supports ZV-port. So it's possible to use a Type III GPS card at the same time as another card. The primary battery (same size as secondary) can be exchanged with a Li-Ion or Ni-MH type.

Two SmartBays:

The FDD bay can be exchanged with: ZIP-drive (100MB), LS-120 (120MB), 2nd battery, 2nd HDD. The CD-ROM can be exchanged with a DVD-ROM.

Faxmodem & HDD:

A 56kbps faxmodem can easily be installed and the HDD can be replaced as easy. The MP-989 supports any 2.5" HDD you can buy!

Rear of the MP989: