# SWITCH!

> HP 95LX utility

**Wikidata**: [Q121631703](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q121631703)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/switch-q121631703

## Summary
SWITCH! is a software utility designed specifically for the HP 95LX palmtop computer. Distributed by ACE Technologies, it functions as a non-tangible executable component that enhances the capabilities of the host device. In July 1992, the utility was commercially available for a price of $49.00.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Software utility (instance of software).
*   **Platform:** Runs exclusively on the HP 95LX computer.
*   **Distribution:** Distributed by ACE Technologies.
*   **Price:** $49.00 (United States dollar).
*   **Price Date:** July/August 1992.
*   **Source Documentation:** "The HP Palmtop Paper" (July/August 1992 edition).
*   **Host Device Origin:** The HP 95LX computer was manufactured in the United States.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of software is SWITCH!?
A: SWITCH! is classified as a software utility designed to run on the HP 95LX platform. It serves as an executable component for the computer.

### Q: How much did SWITCH! cost?
A: As of July/August 1992, SWITCH! was listed at a price of $49.00 USD.

### Q: Who distributed SWITCH!?
A: The software was distributed by ACE Technologies.

## Why It Matters
SWITCH! represents the broader ecosystem of third-party utilities developed for early palmtop PCs, specifically the HP 95LX. In the early 1990s, the HP 95LX was a pioneering device in mobile computing, offering users the ability to carry computing power in a pocket-sized format. However, the base functionality of such hardware often required specialized utilities to maximize efficiency or manage system resources. SWITCH! served as one of these critical add-ons, allowing users to tailor their device to specific workflow needs.

The existence of software like SWITCH!, distributed by companies like ACE Technologies and documented in niche publications like *The HP Palmtop Paper*, highlights the robust commercial market that existed around early mobile hardware. Priced at $49, it was a professional-grade tool rather than freeware, indicating that it provided significant value to users who relied on the HP 95LX for business or personal organization during that era.

## Notable For
*   **Platform Specificity:** Exclusively tailored for the HP 95LX, one of the first true palmtop computers.
*   **Commercial Utility:** A paid software product ($49) in an era often dominated by shareware or basic built-in tools.
*   **Third-Party Support:** Demonstrates the availability of third-party commercial software from distributors like ACE Technologies for early mobile devices.

## Body
### Software Classification
SWITCH! is identified strictly as a software utility. As a non-tangible executable component, it is designed to interact with the system software of a computer rather than functioning as a standalone hardware peripheral. It falls under the broad class of computer software.

### System Requirements and Platform
The utility is built specifically for the **HP 95LX** computer. The HP 95LX is a palmtop computer originating from the United States. Compatibility is restricted to this hardware environment, reflecting the specialized nature of early 1990s mobile operating systems and system architectures.

### Commercial Availability
According to records from July and August 1992, SWITCH! was available for purchase at a price of **$49.00 United States dollars**. The software was distributed by **ACE Technologies**.

### Documentation and Sources
Details regarding SWITCH! are preserved through *The HP Palmtop Paper*, a publication dedicated to the HP palmtop series. The specific reference confirming the price and distributor appears in the July/August 1992 issue of this publication.

## References

1. [The HP Palmtop Paper](https://www.palmtoppaper.com/ptphtml/4/ptp40015.htm)