Abstract: Computer apparatus 10 includes mother board 10M, bracket 12 mounted on the mother board, a circuit board assembly 10A installed in the bracket, and a pair of assembly latches 13L and 13R. The mother board has connector slot 12E for electrically engaging corresponding contacts 10E on the circuit board assembly. The bracket has an elongated base member 12M positioned proximate the connector slot, and a pair of spaced retaining posts 12L and 12R extending generally away from the mother board, one at each end of the base member. The bracket receives the circuit board assembly into the space between the retaining posts. The circuit board assembly has heat conductive thermal plate 14 between circuit board 10C and heat sink 14H. The thermal plate has two end edges 14L and 14R, one proximate each retaining post, which are engaged by the retaining posts during and after installation. Each retaining post has a latch port 12P extending therethrough.

Abstract: A local bus IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) interface bus architecture provides a direct connection to enable a fast interface between CPU and IDE drives. Also, a programmable command pulse width and I/O cycle recovery time is implemented at the IDE port to provide a finely tuned tuned access cycle time for different drives and provide optimum performance. Also, there is the capability of implementing existing hard disk interfaces with future drives.

Abstract: An improved assembly design for a portable computer. A housing has a base member with a plurality of edge guides located along the side portions and a plurality of connector sockets arranged along the inner front portion. A matching circuit board has a plurality of forwardly extending plug margins which mate with the sockets when the board is fully installed in the edge guides. The board carries the main computer system electronic components and a rigid disk memory module. The keyboard assembly, floppy disk memory and power supply are all mounted to the under surface of the housing cover member, and the display panel is mounted to the top of the cover. The design enables quick assembly of the computer, and quick removal of the circuit board for repair.