phr@lightning.Berkeley.EDU (Paul Rubin) (04/20/91)
The FAQ list is a nice idea but it doesn't much distinguish one machine from another. I feel that the one-line-per-entry format is too limiting. I think there should be multiline entries with some room for comments. Other quibbles: notebook computers by most people's definitions can weigh up to 7 pounds, not 6. Quite a few of them are between 6 and 7, so it makes a difference in your classification. (It seems strange that the Toshiba T1000SE and XE are in different categories on your list). Also, the Tandy 102 should be a notebook, not a handheld. Larger entries would allow mention of special features or the absence of normally expected features (e.g. serial port). The presence of an internal modem slot is common enough that it may merit one of your code letters. Maximum amount of expansion ram is also an important statistic. These changes would make the file a lot bigger, but also more useful. I also suggest separating the machines by processor type within each category. People shopping for laptops usually know what processor they want before they start shopping. Within each type, might be nice to say what the "normal" features are (serial, parallel ports, removable battery, whatever). An important consideration for many laptop users, which vendors are just beginning to pay attention to, is the weight of the AC adapter (which one often must travel with). Sadly, it is not listed on many spec sheets, but should be in the FAQ when easily available. Maybe there is room for an aftermarket in ultra-lightweight AC adapters that use switching converters, etc. If there is going to be a section on handhelds, it should specify whether the keyboard is good, semi-useable (poqet), or mostly-unuseable (atari portfolio). Also: street price of the Poqet is around $950 these days. I finally got to try one out today. I don't think I'd buy one (I have a T1000 now): bad keyboard; serial port is a weird external kludge; no parallel port; no floppy; no chance of an internal modem. I wish they had made it slightly bigger so it could have a keyboard large enough to touch type comfortably. Such keyboards have been made that are quite a bit smaller than conventional keyboards. The Poqet screen is actually not too bad, though.