ianf@nada.kth.se (Ian Feldman) (04/13/90)
Accordingly to fresh press reports (not press-releases) the first
Poquet PC has been delivered to a computer-magazine writer in UK
last week. It has been officially launched at the Hannover Fair
and sports a price tag of GBP 1595.- for the main unit, GBP 395.- (?)
for a companion same-size disk-drive-with-power-supply unit. Pictures
(in Computer Weekly, a UK compurag) showed also the left-hand side
slot for the 512KB RAM cards. Accordingly to article both the ROM
and RAM cards that fit in there have 64 "pins" in some kind of Japanese-
industry approved pinout. There was also a mention of 2MB cards being
"in the works".
Has the Poquet appeared yet in the States? Prices? Impressions?
--Ian Feldman / ianf%nada.kth.se@uunet.uu.net <--- the only safe route
/ "observe the emacs-style expression-dash-misuse"jim@baroque.Stanford.EDU (James Helman) (06/11/90)
> The only way to use the very small QWERTY keyboard is with the index > finger of each hand. That really depends on your finger size. I think it's about 7/8's scale. I can touch type on it, but would not want to do so for extended periods. The postive key action (it takes some force) combined with the short key travel (compared with "real" keyboards, anyway), makes for sore fingers after a while. For short usage, the thing I found most annoying was that the space bar must be hit directly from above, so you can't lay your thumbs on the bottom edge of the case. Rather, they have to be up crowding your fingers. Aside from the keyboard, it's quite nice. The most impressive part is that they managed to have a legible display with such low power consumption. Poqet's have been available in computer stores here (Connecting Point, Computerland) since the middle of March. Jim Helman Department of Applied Physics 6 Trillium Lane Stanford University San Carlos, CA 94070 (jim@thrush.stanford.edu) (415) 723-9127
ih@udel.edu (Charlie Ih) (06/12/90)
In article <JIM.90Jun10115021@baroque.Stanford.EDU> jim@baroque.Stanford.EDU (James Helman) writes: > > I can touch type on it, but would not want to do so for >extended periods. The postive key action (it takes some force) >combined with the short key travel (compared with "real" keyboards, >anyway), makes for sore fingers after a while. For short usage, the >thing I found most annoying was that the space bar must be hit >directly from above, ....... Under each key, there is a rubber cup which I guess is to protect the contact and to provide the only spring action (?). In fact, for every key you must hit right in the middle. The rubber is too resilient. The cup should be designed to have better snap action. The thin key pads are held in position with only two hooks, one one each side. For normal keyboards, the keys are refrained from moving sideway or wobbling, but the Poqet's are not. As a result of all these, typing on Poqet is difficult and inconsistent. As I mentioned in my previous article, it is a pain. Under the space bar there are two rubber cups. If you hit it in the middle, you have to hit twice as hard. You may have to change your typing habit by hitting the space bar twice as hard or hit near one end. This may not be easy if you are using all kind of keyboards. I hope others have other and better suggestions. We may want to collect these suggestions and send them to Poqet for future improvements. Otherwise the Poqet is a very neat machine (or toy). Charles S. Ih 302-451-8173
lfog@PacBell.COM (Lee Fogel) (07/04/90)
Does anyone have any information/experience with a new *truly* portable laptop called the Poqet PC? It looks like the next step in portable PC's. Here's a quote from the broshure: "The Poqet PC is a full-fledged MS-DOS PC. It has 512K of RAM and 640K of ROM... It has a full-function keybard and an 80-character by 25-line display. And it can run up to 100 [yes, one-hundred] hours on just two AA alkaline batteries... it's about the size of a videocassette. And it weighs around a pound." Other features: CMOS Microprocessor: 80C88 running up to 7 MHz. RS-232C serial port (allows 119 BPS). Supports CGA and MDA modes. I/O expansion bus. Two slots for RAM or ROM memory cards. Some ROM-resident software is included (file transfer, calculator, etc.) Runs Lotus, WordPerfect, ACT!, Lucid 3-D and other DOS3.3 applications. 12 function keys, embedded keypad. The keyboard is almost full sized. Peripherals include a 3.5 inch, 1.44MB disk drive operating on 4 AA batteries, Serial and Parallel cables. I was quoted a price of $2000. Has anyone actually seen one? Lee
hburford@enint.Wichita.NCR.COM (Harry Burford) (07/06/90)
lfog@PacBell.COM (Lee Fogel) writes: >Does anyone have any information/experience with a new >*truly* portable laptop called the Poqet PC? It looks like >the next step in portable PC's. Here's a quote from the >broshure: *** text deleted *** >I was quoted a price of $2000. Has anyone actually seen one? >Lee Yes, I saw one at Spring COMDEX and also at PC/EXPO. They had a booth set up where you could go up and actually touch one. Call 800-624-8999 X-1590 and they will tell you where you can get them. My local dealer is in Joplin, MO. They indicated that they would sell me a unit at $1635 (less for 5+ qtys) with about 4 to 5 day delivery. I saw the 3.5" 1.4Meg flex drive at the shows, too. It runs 5 hours on 4-AA batteries. The dealer said that it hasn't been released yet and they were not able to get them. There has also been some talk in the magazines about Fujitsu starting to Mfg. the Poqet. With more efficient mfg., then I would expect prices to drop. 1. The display is very readable, but I wouldn't want to read it for very long. Very flat aspect ratio. Not 1:1. 2. Keyboard is small but usable. I saw most folks at the show using their 2 index fingers to type on it. I could do a slow touch type. 3. I would wait for the disk drive to be REALLY available in order to avoid the 'Zenith Syndrome'. If you remember, Zenith abandoned all support for their Z-181 as they changed direction on their products. 4. I wouldn't expect that other 'palm top' manufacturers are going to sit around and wait. Atari surely must have something in the works to replace their DOS 2.11 portable. I expect to see some competition eventually (Sharp and Casio, too) I'd sure like to read some user reports. Anyone got one yet? -- Harry Burford - NCR Peripheral Products Division, Printer Products PHONE:316-636-8016 TELEX:417-465 FAX:316-636-8889 CALL:KA0TTY SLOWNET:3718 N. Rock Road, Wichita KS C-$erve:76226,2760 Cherokee N7476R SS: 9.5 Harry.Burford@Wichita.NCR.COM
mec@cbnewsj.att.com (michael.e.connick) (07/09/90)
In article <7741@pbhyf.PacBell.COM> lfog@PacBell.COM (Lee Fogel) writes: > Does anyone have any information/experience with a new > *truly* portable laptop called the Poqet PC? It looks like > the next step in portable PC's. Here's a quote from the > broshure: > > "The Poqet PC is a full-fledged MS-DOS PC. It has 512K of RAM > and 640K of ROM... It has a full-function keybard and an > 80-character by 25-line display. And it can run up to 100 > [yes, one-hundred] hours on just two AA alkaline batteries... > it's about the size of a videocassette. And it weighs around > a pound." I don't want to start sounding like a salesman for Atari, but the Portfolio offers most of what the Poquet offers for a whole lot less. It contains a clone of MS-DOS 2.11 in ROM and will run "very well-behaved" MS-DOS programs. Its full-function keyboard is superb, offering relatively long-travel keys and an optional keyclick. Its 40-character by 8-line display is very readable and can optionally be setup as a moving window over an 80X25 virtual screen. The Portfolio runs for 4 to 6 weeks (with HEAVY usage) on 3 AA batteries. It's virtually the same size as the Poquet and weighs just under a pound. > Other features: > CMOS Microprocessor: 80C88 running up to 7 MHz. > RS-232C serial port (allows 119 BPS). > Supports CGA and MDA modes. > I/O expansion bus. > Two slots for RAM or ROM memory cards. > Some ROM-resident software is included (file transfer, calculator, etc.) > Runs Lotus, WordPerfect, ACT!, Lucid 3-D and other DOS3.3 applications. > 12 function keys, embedded keypad. The keyboard is almost full sized. > Peripherals include a 3.5 inch, 1.44MB disk drive operating on 4 AA > batteries, Serial and Parallel cables. Portfolio features: CMOS Microprocessor: 80C88 running at 4.92 MHz. 60-pin system expansion port supporting serial and parallel interface units Only supports proprietary graphics mode One slot for RAM or ROM memory cards Terrific ROM-resident software including text editor, Lotus 1-2-3 compatible spreadsheet, address/phone directory with tone dialing, simple calculator, very nice appointment scheduler with support for alarms, and a simple file server application that can be used with the parallel interface unit. Only runs very well-behaved MS-DOS programs, but they're easy enough to write on a PC and download to Portfolio. No other peripherals available at this time. > I was quoted a price of $2000. Has anyone actually seen one? Now for the BIGGEST advantage of the Portfolio: street price of about $300! This makes all its limitations compared to the Poquet completely acceptable. I've had mine for over 6 months now and carry it with me everywhere. Would I trade it even for a Poquet? Absolutely! But since the Poquet is over 6 times more expensive than the Portfolio, I'm very happy with the Portfolio for the time being. Let me know when the Poquet is only twice the price of a Portfolio and I'll buy one! ----------------------------------------------------- Michael Connick mec@mtfmi.ATT.COM 201-957-3057 AT&T Bell Labs MT 3F-113 (Dept. 79151)
lngo@pikes.Colorado.EDU (Linh D. Ngo) (07/10/90)
In article <1990Jul9.135128.4256@cbnewsj.att.com> mec@cbnewsj.att.com (michael.e.connick) writes: >In article <7741@pbhyf.PacBell.COM> lfog@PacBell.COM (Lee Fogel) writes: >> Does anyone have any information/experience with a new >> *truly* portable laptop called the Poqet PC? It looks like >contains a clone of MS-DOS 2.11 in ROM and will run "very well-behaved" >MS-DOS programs. Its full-function keyboard is superb, offering >relatively long-travel keys and an optional keyclick. Its 40-character >by 8-line display is very readable and can optionally be setup as a >moving window over an 80X25 virtual screen. The Portfolio runs for 4 to >6 weeks (with HEAVY usage) on 3 AA batteries. It's virtually the same >size as the Poquet and weighs just under a pound. >Now for the BIGGEST advantage of the Portfolio: street price of about >$300! This makes all its limitations compared to the Poquet completely 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. **Disclaimer: I don't work or am affiliated with Toshiba in any way..etc.. etc.