jeff@eng.umd.edu (Jeffrey Frey) (01/28/91)
The 3100 number doesn't correlate with US 3100's; these are T1200XE/T1000LE type machines with the same box and screen as the 1200XE; they're a little lighter, though: 2.8kg for the 021. Battery life is given as 1.5h for the HD model, 2h for the FD models, but who knows by what criterion, and with how much RAM aboard? A plug-in hard drive is available for the 001 machine to upgrade it to an 021. The interesting point about these machines is their pricing. Toshiba's 286's (1200XE equivalents) in Japan had list prices a lot higher than these do. In fact, even with the usual Japanese large discounts on discontinued machines (46% on some of the Toshiba 286's) a 386 1200XE equivalent can be had for somewhat less than a discontinued 286 version there. Does this mean that the 386/1200XE will also be cheaper than the 286/1200XE in the US? Considering its non-VGA screen and intensifying competition, the current 1200XE at around $1950. is no longer competitive here; maybe Toshiba will be a little more aggressive with its 386 machines. Incidentally since the Japanese video ROMs are different than ours it's not easy to tell whether the J3100SX series is VGA compatible, although they do have 640X400 pixels. Another interesting point, which those contemplating bringing non-Toshiba laptops home from Japan might think about, is that Toshibas are the only Japanese-made laptops sold in Japan that are fully IBM compatible. All you have to do apparently is buy their DOS3.3 for an extra $200. or so. Can anyone tell me whether Toshiba's DOS is ordinary--i.e., can I subsitute by own 3.3 for it--or is it special? Jeff