The Portable was basically a motherboard, transplanted into a Compaq-style luggable case. The system featured 256 of memory (expandable to 640 KB), an added card connected to an internal monochrome amber, and one or two half-height 5+1⁄4-inch 360 KB drives, manufactured by Qume. Unlike the Compaq Portable, which used a dual-mode monitor and special display card, IBM used a stock CGA card and a 9-inch amber monochrome composite monitor.