Subsequent lineups and dissolution (1991–1993)
In November 1991, Librex unveiled the M486 and M386SL lines of notebooks. They were based on Intel's 486 and 386SL processors respectively and were compatible with an optional docking station. Interfacing to the laptop through a 130-pin connector, the docking station added two 16-bit ISA expansion slots, a SCSI hard drive adapter, a passthrough for serial, parallel, and external monitor cables, and three 3.5-inch disk drive bays. Slated for an early 1992 release,[19] they were shortly followed up by the introduction of the Librex T386SX, featuring a modular design that extended into the design of the caddy for the internal hard drive, which could be removed toollessly for replacement or stored away as a security precaution. It took proprietary RAM modules for memory upgrades, supporting up to 12 MB of RAM from the stock 4 MB. The T386SX's floppy drive was external only, connected to the notebook via a detachable cable.[20] The T386SX's case bore a rubberized coating to make it scratch-resistant and slip-proof. It was the first and only Librex laptop to feature PC Card slots.[21] Like the Librex 386SX, it received mostly good reviews.[22][23][24]
Although Librex's laptops continued to receive high marks for their build quality, the company saw pressure in the crowded notebook market by the beginning of 1992.[25] Amid falling profit margins, Nippon Steel announced in August 1992 that they would dissolve both Librex in the U.S. and Nippon Steel Computer PLC in the United Kingdom,[5] in what was called "the first visible fallout from the price war" hitting the portable computer market in the early 1990s, according to IDC.[26] Librex pulled their products from the market that month but continued to support customers until March 1993 while they discussed selling their capital and intellectual property to potential buyers.[27] Librex partially reversed its stance, releasing the R386SL notebook—its last product—in late 1992 and slightly postponing its dissolution date to April 1993.[24] Polywell Computers of San Francisco ultimately bought the tooling for Librex's notebook computers, selling Librex-based Polywell notebooks in the United States in 1993.[28]
In its three years of existence, Librex managed to attain the rank of the 47th largest personal computer maker in the United States by August 1992.[5] Dan Crane, vice president of sales and marketing for Librex, reflected in 1996 that Nippon Steel's remote management imposed handicaps in selling Librex's products at attractive prices: "Nippon Steel simply didn't have the cultural infrastructure needed to compete here ... [having a] rather cool, ultraslim notebook for 1992 with quantities and prices that were [arbitrarily] set in 1991", in part due to management honoring the initial quotes it gave to retail and direct sales partners, refusing to ask for adjustments after the fact.[29]
Librex's San Jose headquarters at 1140 Ringwood Court later became home to Synaptics.[12][30]
