Bicer.ES@xerox.arpa (11/27/85)
Hi, I need quite a few Pocket Computers for an application. Needed specs are: - Must be as cheap as possible, hopefully under $50 (VERY IMPORTANT) - Run Basic (or some programming language) - Minimal RAM (1K is OK) The only one I found that meets my requirements is a Radio Shack Tandy PC4. Is Tandy PC4 made by Sharp? Are there any others? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Jack Bicer Bicer.ES@XEROX.ARPA
pollack@uicsl.UUCP (12/02/85)
The RS PC1, PC2, and PC3, seemed to be made by whoever made the SHARP pocket computers; with their characteristic 4-position slide switches (off/on/run/prog). The RS PC4 is made by whoever makes the series of pocket computers sold by Casio; with their characteristic "Mode" button. (I say "whoever" because I suspect that both CASIO and SHARP subcontract to ceramics companies like RS.) I have a Casio FX720P, with a 4K "ram card", which I purchased in the electronics district of Tokyo for $50. It uses the same printer and cassette interface as the RS PC4 and new PC5 (Which can apparently be programmed in machine code!) I have a catalog of these Casio pocket computers which include: PB110 544bytes + 1k ram cartridge PB410 2k or 4k ramcard FX720 same as PB410 with meta-key for basic functions (These all share the PC4 interface) FX750P two ramcards for up to 8K PB500 same, but japanese character set PB300 2k memory, builtin printer PB700 4k memory 4 line graphic LCD There may be more by now! You can get in touch with CASIO in Fairfield, NJ for more info. I hope that your pocket computer project doesnt involve any fast typing... Jordan Pollack University of Illinois ...uiucdcs!uicsl!pollack
DZimmerman@blue.rutgers.edu (Davidann) (12/03/85)
In response to Jack Bicer's query about pocket computers: The Radio Shack PC-4 is made by Casio, not Sharp, if I am correct. I have one, and, although limited, it gives quite a bang for the buck. Pretty rugged, too - you could drop kick it a few times and still have no problems with it. Davidann -------
waynet@tolerant.UUCP (Wayne Thompson) (12/05/85)
> In response to Jack Bicer's query about pocket computers: > > The Radio Shack PC-4 is made by Casio, not Sharp, if I am correct. > I have one, and, although limited, it gives quite a bang for the buck. > Pretty rugged, too - you could drop kick it a few times and still have > no problems with it. > > Davidann > ------- I'm thinking of purchasing one of these. Could you please Email the following: # of times it can actually be drop kicked Under what conditions you carried out the test The failure exhibited ;-) -- Wayne Thompson ..{bene,mordor,nsc,oliveb,pyramid,ucbvax}!tolerant!waynet source .disclaimer
DZimmerman@blue.rutgers.edu (Davidann) (12/09/85)
In response to Wayne Thompson's PC-4 queries: > # of times it can actually be drop kicked Under normal, abnormal, subnormal, and supernormal conditions, it appears that the PC-4 can withstand the number of drop kicks that add up to the force of one of Drago's punches in Rocky IV. > Under what conditions you carried out the test I had just royally screwed up an important Calculus exam. It was a rainy day, about 73 degrees F, with a relative humidity of 93% and a barometer reading of 30.45 mm. The Dallas Cowboys had recently lost a crucial game in which $10 of my savings was also lost. My horoscope for that day said that I would try to destroy my pocket computer. > The failure exhibited It quite rudely began to make comments about the legality of my birth, the recreational activities of my mother, and my level of intelligence. That last one really set me off, so I proceeded to electrocute the little monster. After finally begging for mercy, it hasn't given me any problems since, and my Calculus exams have been coming back with perfect scores, a pleasant side-effect. I intend to notify Radio Shack about this peculiar hardware bug. S-} Davidann "The meek shall inherit the Earth, but only if we let them." -------