odin@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (60200000) (12/14/88)
What would be the chance of Commodore coming out with such a beast? I am planning on going abroad next year and have just realized that there is almost no way that I will be able to bring my A2000. This means that I'll probably have to sell it (whimper) and buy a portable PCompatible <shudder>. Also, right now I travel across the country at least 4 or 5 times a year and have to leave my Amiga behind. I feel practically naked without my computer there with me. I always find myself with all this free time and nothing to do with it. Not fun at all :-) I'm not asking for much, maybe just a 500 with 1 meg, 2 floppy drives, and a full screen LCD (or whatever). Of course, an extra meg and a 20 MB SCSI hard drive would be nice and since I'm fantasizing, why not. Of course, the screen should do full speed, 4 color graphics and should have a built in 3/12/2400 baud modem (Hayes compatible). Lessee, anything else I forgot? Of course it should also have a power cord with optional battery pack (lasting 10-12 hours) which recharges automatically while using the power cord. Built in surge supressing and line noise filtering is another must. And it should come with the GOMF! 3.0 software and button already installed. As far as a mouse is concerned there should be a user-selectable option of mouse (if there's room where you are) or trackball (built-in). It should be available for under $2000.00, of course :-). I think I've put in everything I want that I can think of right now. UNIX would be optional of course (along with the extra memory and disk space needed). Please pardon the rambling since my brain is fried from finals week here at wonderful UCSC. If anyone from CBM sees this they can count this as a desperate plea for a computer that is more powerful (i.e. memory and disk space) , smaller, and more contained than the A500. I would be happy even with a A500 with an extra drive and builtin LCD screen. Anyone else have any suggestions/comments? Jon :<=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=>: :Jon Granrose | // Only | ARPAnet: odin@ucscb.UCSC.EDU : :Cowell College, UCSC | \X/ Amiga | Bitnet: ~!ucbvax!ucscc!ucscb!odin : :Santa Cruz, CA 95064 | Opinions?!? That'll be the day... : +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
bhine@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov.arpa (Butler Hine sst) (12/15/88)
In article <5764@saturn.ucsc.edu> odin@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (Jon Granrose) writes: > >I'm not asking for much, maybe just a 500 with 1 meg, 2 floppy drives, and a >full screen LCD (or whatever). Of course, an extra meg and a 20 MB SCSI hard ...wild fantasizing deleted... >, smaller, and more contained than the A500. I would be happy even with a A500 >with an extra drive and builtin LCD screen. > When I originally bought my A1000, one of the first things I got for it was a padded case with a handle. I took it with me on a few trips, but soon found that the lack of a monitor really cramps your style (although it is easy to use an RF adapter and plug in to the nearest TV set). I have been checking periodically the quality of the new LCD color TV's as regards a portable monitor, but so far they don't really measure up as useable in 640x200 mode (although you can read them in LO-RES). What I would really like to see is a 640x200 LCD flat panel screen which accepted IBM style RGB TTL signals. At this point, I would even settle for shades of grey (or amber, whatever). If anyone hears of such a beast, let us know about it. I think Commodore is missing a bet by not offering a portable. And they are so close, considering how small and light the A500 already is. Just my opinion. Butler Hine NASA Ames Research Center hine@galileo.arc.nasa.gov
mclek@dcatla.UUCP (Larry E. Kollar) (12/15/88)
I'm designing a carrying case for my 500 with pockets for the power supply, outboard drive, and disks. I stumbled onto a "find" for the monitor -- the local dealer had a used Sanyo 9" green-screen monitor he wanted to unload, so I gave him $5 for it. The monitor has a handle on top, and is pretty light. I'm willing to put up with the tiny monochrome screen; others may not. That's probably as close to a portable Amiga as anyone will ever see (except Dale Luck's special). Larry Kollar ...!gatech!dcatla!mclek