jeff@eng.umd.edu (Jeffrey Frey) (03/07/91)
The problem with the original Ultralite is the absolute lack of nonvolatile storage. The Ultralite originally sold for around $2K (1M version discounted) and was a short-trm hit becauase of its light weight and power per unit volume. The display is pretty good (not VGA but comfortably bright). Remember that all data and/or programs have to be stored on those RAMcards which are volatile, i.e., lose their data when their built-in batteries run down. Whether this is a problem or not depends on use patterns. DAK also is offering nonvolatile ROMc is offering nonvolatile ROM versions of some software but the pricess are prety high. The incremental $200 for an extra 1M of memory also seems high these days. Basically, I don't trust volatile storage at all, and don't even trust built-in HDs on laptops. The former are battery-dependent and the latter can be easily damaged, especizlly in a laptop. My own preference is for some kind of nonvolatile backup for any thin I may produce on the road, e.g., a 3.5" or 2" floppy. I notice the T1000SE is getting down to around $750 in NYC. (I saw the Japanese version for $700 in Tjokyo in January). Perhaps Toshiba is going to revamp the line and, in any case, the dollar has strengthened quite a bit in the last few months. Although it's bigger and heavier, the T1000SE would seem to be a good bet for a modest portable wordprocessor. Apologies for the egregious typos! I know very little about vi, EMACS is not available, and whever I try to correct an error whole paragraphs disappear! Jeff
ih@udel.edu (Charlie Ih) (03/12/91)
In article <1991Mar7.135645.4632@eng.umd.edu> jeff@eng.umd.edu (Jeffrey Frey) writes: >The problem with the original Ultralite is the absolute lack of nonvolatile >storage. .... >Remember that all data and/or programs have to be stored on those RAMcards >which are volatile, ..... >The incremental $200 for an extra 1M of memory also seems high these days. Do the RAMcards used in the Ultralite conform to industrial RAMcard "standards". I learned sometime ago that many US and Japanese companies formulated a RAMcard (or RAMdrive) standard to promote their wide use. The Poqet uses the industrial "standard" RAMdrive. 1 M Poqet RANdrive still costs around $500. So if these RAMdrives are compatible, the 2 M Ultralite is a good buy just for the RAM alone. Any comments? > >Basically, I don't trust volatile storage at all, and don't even trust >built-in HDs on laptops. The former are battery-dependent and the latter >can be easily damaged, especizlly in a laptop. ...... I have been using Toshiba T1200 and T1000 for more than 3 years and Poqet almost a year, so far I have lost any data yet. May be I am just lucky. I have not had a chance to use my backup discs yet. The RAMdrive has its own battery. My calculation indicates that the battery life is about 6 months. Howver, if they are in computer, the main battery supplies the power. I still have the original battery in the RAMdrive which has been in use for one year. The same is for the Toshiba's RAMdrive.
it23026@coral.micro.umn.edu (Pitt) (05/22/91)
Hi, I would like to buy the NEC UltraLite, but it seems it is a bit difficult to found out the price for this Laptops, I search from pc-week to computer shopper, also I would like how's its performance. Thanks in advance. --- K.K Pitt Cheang.
brian@grot.ca41.csd.mot.com (Brian Smithson) (05/22/91)
it23026@coral.micro.umn.edu (Pitt) writes: >Hi, I would like to buy the NEC UltraLite, but it seems it is a bit difficult >to found out the price for this Laptops, I search from pc-week to computer >shopper, also I would like how's its performance. If you're talking about the V30-based UltraLite with a 1MB or 2MB silicon disk (and not the 286- and 386-based models with traditional hard disks), they are selling for $699 (1MB) or $899 (2MB) at DAK, and were selling for $749 (I think) for reconditioned 2MB units at IME Computer in Boston. For more information, subscribe to the UltraLite mailing list. Send any kind of subscription request to: ultralite-list-request@csd.mot.com You'll receive back issues that are simply chock full o' info. -- -Brian Smithson Motorola Inc., Computer Group, Commercial Systems Division 10700 N. De Anza Boulevard, Cupertino, CA 95014 USA, (408)366-4104 brian@csd.mot.com, {apple | pyramid}!motcsd!brian