rosen@gypsy.UUCP (07/29/85)
[...]
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@TOPAZGhenis.pasa@XEROX.ARPA (08/08/85)
A new machine on the market is the Bondwell lap top:
*CP/M operating system
*64 k RAM
*25x80 LCD flip-up screen
*1 3 1/2 inch built-in floppy drive = 720 k storage
*comes bundled with word processor, speadsheet, DBMS, BASIC,
communications program, utilities
*1 parallel + 1 serial port
*options: internal modem, external drive
*****************
PRICE: $999
*****************
I haven't had a chance to test it yet, but the specs are impressive and
the price is right! There is plenty of CP/M software for just about any
application, and what they include will cover most needs, so if you
don't absolutely need IBM compatibility this seems worth considering.
---------------------------------------
In the TRANSPORTABLE (draggable) category, you should consider the CP/M
machines, most of which sell for $700-$1300, have 7" or 9" CRTs and two
5 1/4" disk drives. For word-processing they are just as good as any
MS-DOS sytem, and all come with a software bundle including
word-processor, spreadsheet, BASIC, comm program and maybe a DBMS, so
for your money you get a complete system, not just the hardware. In my
opinion, they still offer a much better functionality/price ratio, and
will serve most needs just fine.
Some machines to look at are Kaypros, Bondwells and the new Osborne
Vixen. The Vixen is half the size (same weight though) as other
transportables and comes with a standard RAM disk that makes it fly!
Good luck.
--Pablo Ghenis
Disclaimer: I have no interest in the above mentioned firms. I am simply
a satisfied user of a CP/M transportable system. The opinions expressed
here are those of my home computer and do not reflect on my modem's
ability to reason.