mec@cbnewsj.att.com (michael.e.connick) (07/11/90)
In article <4019@pikes.Colorado.EDU> lngo@pikes.Colorado.EDU (Linh D. Ngo) writes: > I don't want to sound like a spokesperson for Toshiba or anything, but > my T1000 is a full IBM PC compatible computer with CGA graphics, 512K, > full-stroke keyboard, LCD 80 column text and a 3.5" drive for only > $600 student education price. I've seen it discounted for ~$550. > It only weighs 6 lbs and runs from 3-5 hours depending on drive use. > It's internal expansion capability is limited (1200/2400 modem optional). > > I can see the benefits of the Portfolio: small, long battery life.. > but the disadvantages: no disk drive, not totally compatible, small > keyboard, etc. are too limiting. I suppose if you had a desk-top at home, > the Portfolio would be ideal for note-taking away. Then once you got home, > you could transfer files to your desk-top. I've used laptops in the past and tried to "carry them everywhere." It just doesn't work. They're too big too lug around all the time, and the battery life offered by even the best is just too short. I literally carry my Portfolio with me everywhere. It's small enough to fit into an inside suit pocket. Since I virtually never wear a suit or sports jacket at work, I usually just carry it around in one hand. It's small enough and light enough for me to do so without any hassle. It's certainly smaller and lighter than the log book I used to lug everywhere! I also have a well padded carrying case with wrist strap for the unit. The whole carrying case, in turn, fits inside one of those waist pouches easily. With this combo I can carry the unit with me just about anywhere, no matter how I'm dressed. Why would I want to carry it everywhere? Because the Portfolio provides me with functions that I use everyday. It's replaced my log book at work, because it's smaller and captures my notes in computer readable form. I upload each month's log file to a UNIX box for printing out and long term storage. It's replaced my Daytimer for keeping track of all my appointments and "to-do's", and name/address/phone number listings. The ability to do searches into these data bases is really terrific. Just this morning someone asked me when I'd next be traveling to the Merrimack Valley location of Bell Labs. I was able to do a search in my appointment diary for "MV" (its location code) and tell them immediately. The Portfolio also provides me with new functions I've never been able to have before. I use the spreadsheet application to track travel expenses, personal budget, and automobile expenses. I also keep a bunch of small databases of such mundane items as new and used books that my wife and I are looking to buy, and BBS phone numbers. Whenever I'm in a bookstore I can access the "books-wanted" databases and quickly review them. I also keep the terrific little Atari PD terminal program in the unit and use it along with the Serial Interface to give me handheld terminal for use when I'm travelling. I've even got a copy of Tiny Basic 8086 (yes, it works fine on the Portfolio!) in my Portfolio at all times for knocking off odd little programs. Even the calculator function comes in very handy, since I've got the unit with me all the time. Finally, the ability to run well-behaved MS-DOS programs means that I never have to worry about limitations in the built-in applications. It's very easy to knock-off a special application in Microsoft C on my PC and download it into the Portfolio. So for what I use it for, I don't need a disk drive. Sure the keyboard is small, but I've gotten used to it. If it were any bigger, the Portfolio would be too big to conveniently carry around. For "serious" computing chores, I've got access to a UNIX system as well as a desktop PC and a Macintosh. It's very easy to transfer data and software between the Portfolio and any of them. For me the Portfolio is just about the perfect "personal computer." ----------------------------------------------------- Michael Connick mec@mtfmi.ATT.COM 201-957-3057 AT&T Bell Labs MT 3F-113 (Dept. 79541)