A portable computer system (e.g., a palmtop or hand-held computer system) is implemented with an interface module containing circuitry needed to connect with and operate a device such as a display device. The interface module is coupled to the display device. Additionally, the interface module may be coupled to a printed circuit (PC) board of the portable computer system. As such, PC board can thus be designed and manufactured independently of the display device. Furthermore, design variations in the display device can be independently accommodated in the interface module. Thus, the combination of the interface module, the device, and/or the PC board can be universally implemented in different designs of portable computer systems, reducing development time and manufacturing costs.