rosen@gypsy.UUCP (07/30/85)
/* Written 3:06 pm Jul 29, 1985 by rosen@gypsy in gypsy:net.micro */
/* ---------- "Need advice on a *very* portable PC" ---------- */
[...]
I would like some help in trying to find an extremely portable personal
computer for a friend of mine. This computer is going to be dragged around
a fair bit (but not an extreme amount) on airplanes and through Europe and
in college dorms and such. The first thing that comes to mind is a lap-top.
This would probably be ideal if it had a floppy disk drive and a readable
display (I've heard bad things about the displays on some lap-tops) and a
reasonable amount of memory. Anything that is PC compatible would be really
great. I should say that this computer will be used primarily for word
processing of semi-large documents (10 pages and more at least).
Some lap-tops that I have seen in ads, but not in stores, include the Data
General 1, and other lap-tops by TI, HP, Ericsson (sp?), Apricot and a
couple others. I would really like some suggestions and feedback about
theses machines (and others) since I can't seem to find them in stores. I
have to admit that I haven't been looking very hard yet. General prices
would be useful too. They also seem to be getting a premium price.
I've started looking around and I sense that the marketing of this type of
computer leaves something to be desired. I went in a couple large personal
computer stores and when I mentioned lap-top they looked at me like I was
from another Galaxy. "We've never heard of anybody using a lap-top computer
before..." and "Whadda' ya mean you don't want an IBM PC, what else if
there?" I know that these things have a very narrow market share and they
may not be totally desireable to most people, but I would at least like to
find some place that sells them so I can determine that for myself.
Another thing that I should say is that I am not locked into finding a
lap-top. Something that is at least 'draggable' would do as a good second
choice. A regular IBM PC is almost defintely out because is not very
portable. I have seen Compaqs and the Panasonic Sr. Partner but I was
wandering what else falls in these lines. Any information about these types
of machines is welcomed too. Thanks in advance.
Steve Rosen
Siemens Research and Technology Laboratories
Princeton, NJ
USENET: {ihnp4|princeton|adrvax}!siemens!rosen
ARPA: siemens!rosen@TOPAZ
/* End of text from gypsy:net.micro */dmimi@ecsvax.UUCP (Miriam Clifford) (07/31/85)
Check into the new Zenith machines--they have released a very portable
machine. The older, but excellent z162 is luggable. Very rugged,
very nice ibm-compatible machine.
{decvax,ihnp4,akgua}!mcnc!ecsvax!dmimi
Mimi Clifford
2535 Sevier St
Durham, NC 27705
919-489-4821 919-684-2854 (Wed)dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (D Gary Grady) (07/31/85)
New, very IBM PC compatible machines from Morrow and Zenith may be what
you're looking for. Both are laptops, both offer two built-in 5 1/4
inch floppy drives, both lack (to the best of my knowledge) memory
parity. I think both come with 256K ram expandable to 640K. The Morrow
has a built-in modem, the Zenith does not. The screen is backlit LCD.
Rumor has it the machines were jointly developed; no telling if one
company is making them for both. The keyboard is NOT standard PC and
the pictures I've seen suggest the function keys (but not the others)
are membrane-type. Zenith's education discount price on its machine
with 256K ram and 2 disk drives is $1349. I should note that an
optional battery pack is required to operate the computer (for four
hours) away from a power line, but that the battery pack price has not
been announced yet. Allegedly shipments start in a matter of days if
not already.
--
D Gary Grady
Duke U Comp Center, Durham, NC 27706
(919) 684-3695
USENET: {seismo,decvax,ihnp4,akgua,etc.}!mcnc!ecsvax!dgaryslerner@sesame.UUCP (Simcha-Yitzchak Lerner) (08/02/85)
I have used the DG-1 (w/ 2nd generation screen upgrade), and I
am very happy with it. With the exception of the serial ports,
it seems to be 99.99% PC compatible. Given decent lighting the
display is OK (but I will admit that NO LCD is great yet).
the Ericson (sp?) seems interesting from the adv, but I don't
know how good a machine it is. The other good alternative for
non-LCD display is the new GRiD pc compatible. Again, I haven't
used.
If you are going overseas, make sure you get the proper voltage
equipment from the manufacturer. DO NOT run any digital equipment
thru a converter, as few put out 120V sin-wave.
--
Opinions expressed are public domain, and do not belong to Lotus
Development Corp.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Simcha-Yitzchak Lerner
{genrad|ihnp4|ima}!wjh12!talcott!sesame!slerner
{cbosgd|harvard}!talcott!sesame!slerner
slerner%sesame@harvard.ARPA