johnl (12/29/82)
#N:ima:4600001:000:1587
ima!johnl Dec 28 22:35:00 1982
Over Christmas I had the opportunity to play with an Epson HX-20
computer, the one that's the size of a book. It's really neat. They've
done many things exactly right. The keyboard is full-sized and works
smoothly. The LCD screen gives you a 4x20 window on a larger screen
image, and is not bad to use. It tries very hard not to lose data due to
power loss, e.g. the memory is always refreshed, regardless of on/off
switch and it flashes messages to encourage you to recharge the batteries
before they go dead. There is a built-in RS232 port for attachment to
other computers or modems, and a hole big enough for a microcasette drive
and maybe a 3" microfloppy. Bar code readers, modems, and other
peripherals may also be forthcoming. It connects now to an external
casetteThere is
an external plug for the I/O bus which they apparently plan to document.
The software provided is a pretty decent Microsoft Basic and an
undocumented machine language monitor. Documentation is minimal at this
point, but more manuals are allegedly in the works. Memory is
partitioned into a bunch of chunks so there can be up to 5 (I think)
Basic programs resident at once, selectable from the initial menu.
The CPUs (there are two, one for computing and one for peripherals)
are 6301s. Is anyone familiar with that chip? Do they use a familiar
instruction set? Is there a standard hex monitor that they probably use?
John Levine, IECC, PO Box 349, Cambridge MA 02238; (617) 491-5451
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