[net.micro] IBM P O R T A B L E COMPUTER

geller@rlgvax.UUCP (David Geller) (02/17/84)

It had to happen - IBM was just waiting for the right time
to release their product.

The Washington Post had this to say (2/17/84)

	"The new machine weighs 30 pounds and comes with a 9-inch
	diagonal amber screen. The computer runs the IBM PC oper-
	ating system off of the 5.25-inch floppy disk drive that
	is built in. An IBM spokeperson said the machine will be
	priced at $2,795"

It will be interesting to see how well Compaq, Columbia, etc. do
in light of this product release.

When will IBM release their ICON-based (MAC-LIKE) system?

{siesmo}!rlgvax!geller		David P. Geller

mcmillan@eosp1.UUCP (John McMillan) (02/22/84)

The IBM portable will be cheaper than the PC, it seems.  Competitors
will have to come to terms with the lowered price.

The IBM portable will weigh 30 pounds.  Now that's a nice target to compete
with.

The IBM portable will not be available in quantity for quite a while.
The portable competitors will therefore temporarily BENEFIT from the
announcement because:
	- IBM has now blessed the concept
Later on, when IBM's shipments build up, the other potable manufacturers will
be in trouble.

I think that Compaq will be best off among the competitors, since:
	- They have the portable hard disk
	- They have not yet committed themselves regarding
	  giveaway software.

One of the cheapest ways to compete on price is to give away software
with the machine.  Compaq hasn't done this yet (I believe).  The
strategy is open to them, and they can take more time to try to choose
what software to give away.
					- Toby Robison
					allegra!eosp1!robison
					decvax!ittvax!eosp1!robison
					princeton!eosp1!robison
					(NOTE! NOT McMillan; Robison.)

RICK@Mit-Mc.ARPA (03/29/84)

From:  Richard P. Wilkes <RICK@Mit-Mc.ARPA>

Personally, I feel that the Compaq is the better luggable computer if
you can stand the keyboard that feels like a marshmellow.  The Seequa is
also good, and much cheaper than both.  The Compaq, however, has a
SUBSTANTIAL dealer margin and good be discounted heavily when IBM
finally gets their production going. -r