johnl@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us (John R. Levine) (06/11/90)
I am looking for a Unix system that I can take with me on trips, so as not to
lose a moment's hacking time merely because I happen to be on top of some
mountain with spectacular views or something. Here are what I think I need:
386DX, 20 MHz or better, 387 would be nice if I run X
4MB RAM, probably expandable at least to 8 MB
at least a 100 MB Disk
decent screen, preferably VGA or better to run X
modem, the faster the better, though I suppose I could plug in an external
Telebit T1000
ethernet, to get stuff in and out
5.25" floppy would be nice, 3.5" is OK (most Unix softare seems to come on
5.25" disks.)
runs 386/ix, since that's the Unix I've got
Running on batteries is unimportant, when I'm on a plane I sleep. The Toshiba
T5200 appears to qualify nicely on every point except perhaps the last. (It
has one long and one short internal slot, enough for an internal Telebit modem
and an Ethernet card.) Has anyone actually run 386/ix or some other Unix on
one? Is there some other machine I should be considering? A lunchbox machine
like the Compaq Portable 386 would be a possibility, though the Compaq is
pretty expensive and its expansion memory is unbelievably expensive.
Thanks, as always, in advance
--
John R. Levine, Segue Software, POB 349, Cambridge MA 02238, +1 617 864 9650
johnl@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us, {ima|lotus|spdcc}!esegue!johnl
Marlon Brando and Doris Day were born on the same day.sanand@hub.toronto.edu (Sanand Patel) (06/11/90)
johnl@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us (John R. Levine) writes: >I am looking for a Unix system that I can take with me on trips, so as not to >lose a moment's hacking time merely because I happen to be on top of some >mountain with spectacular views or something. Here are what I think I need: >386DX, 20 MHz or better, 387 would be nice if I run X >and an Ethernet card.) Has anyone actually run 386/ix or some other Unix on >one? Is there some other machine I should be considering? A lunchbox machine ......... John, I run SCO XENIX on a t5200/100. 4 MB RAM, 100 MB disk, 2400 modem (on exp. slot) bus mouse. For my requirements XENIX was ok, but on retrospect I would recommend SCO "Open Desk Top". The XENIX I have is a "full" installation. I have allocated 80 MB for UNIX and 20 MB for DOS. The SCO UNIX product is more costly. Anyway the thing works. It runs e-mail, news, rn etc. One partition runs DOS. My colleague says VP/ix will also run. To move the computer there is only the phone and power cord to unplug. It goes into a non-descript nylon bag. Takes 2 minutes to "shutdown" and pack up. About 16-20 lbs, you can lug it on one shoulder and still carry other luggage. Also on retrospect I should have bought the telebit high speed modem. (By the way this is a company machine). Since I bought my machine other 386 machines have appeared. The only reasons I might consider a machine other tthan he Toshiba are (a) the toshiba is not the cheapest and (b) other laptops have the "paper white" screen. Other than this, I am so far very happy with the machine (5 months). I have not been able to find out if 4 MB is enough for a single user and X-Windows (Open Desk Top) and SCO UNIX1. But they tell me 8 MB is enough (!). Cheers, Sanand. sp90!sanand@lsuc.on.ca (PS: Drop me some mail if you have further questions.)
rick@tmiuv0.uucp (06/11/90)
In article <1990Jun11.023538.7101@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us>, johnl@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us (John R. Levine) writes: > I am looking for a Unix system that I can take with me on trips, so as not to > lose a moment's hacking time merely because I happen to be on top of some > mountain with spectacular views or something. [details deleted] > The Toshiba > T5200 appears to qualify nicely on every point except perhaps the last. (It > has one long and one short internal slot, enough for an internal Telebit modem > and an Ethernet card.) Has anyone actually run 386/ix or some other Unix on > one? [more details deleted] I have a friend who runs 386/ix on his 5200 all the time. Works fine, lasts a long time (or is that "Less filling...Tastes Great!" 8-) Seriously, he does use it all the time. I've played with it and it's pretty darned fast about it, too. Personally, I use ESIX on my boatanchor -- I don't have a laptop. -- .-------------------------------------------------------------------------. / [- O] Rick Stevens (All opinions are mine. Everyone ignores them anyway.) \ | ? +--------------------------------------------------------------------| | V | uunet!zardoz!tmiuv0!rick (<-- Work (ugh!)) | |--------+ uunet!zardoz!xyclone!sysop (<-- Home Unix (better!)) | | uunet!perigrine!ccicpg!conexch!amoeba2!rps2 (<-- Home Amiga (Best!!) | \ 75006.1355@compuserve.com (CIS: 75006,1355) (<-- CI$) / `-------------------------------------------------------------------------' "I was Caesarean born. When I leave the house, I use the window." - Steven Wright
aland@infmx.UUCP (Colonel Panic) (06/12/90)
In article <1990Jun11.023538.7101@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us> johnl@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us (John R. Levine) writes: >I am looking for a Unix system that I can take with me on trips, so as not to >lose a moment's hacking time merely because I happen to be on top of some >mountain with spectacular views or something. Uh, below you say you don't want it battery-powered. Stick to mountains with spectacular views *and* A.C. outlets... :-] >Here are what I think I need: You may want to take a look at the better "lunchbox" machines. For example, the Dolch PAC 386-25C: >386DX, 20 MHz or better, 387 would be nice if I run X 25 MHz. 20 MHz is also an option, as is a 486 >4MB RAM, probably expandable at least to 8 MB 2 MB base, expandable to 8 (486, to 16) >at least a 100 MB Disk can get 100 or 200 MB disk on all models >decent screen, preferably VGA or better to run X both have plasma VGA screens >modem, the faster the better, though I suppose I could plug in an external > Telebit T1000 indeed. or, use a card modem; these things have 3-4 16-bit slots >ethernet, to get stuff in and out put a standard network card into one of the slots. the WD8003E is only a few ounces... >5.25" floppy would be nice, 3.5" is OK (most Unix softare seems to come on > 5.25" disks.) either, or both >runs 386/ix, since that's the Unix I've got they claim UNIX compatibility; I don't have a current ISC compatibility list... >Running on batteries is unimportant, when I'm on a plane I sleep. The Toshiba The Dolch *can* run from a heavy battery for a short period of time, but it's no picnic. If you need battery freedom with any frequency, go with Toshiba or Zenith. >T5200 appears to qualify nicely on every point except perhaps the last. (It Plus, they are pricier and less durable... >has one long and one short internal slot, enough for an internal Telebit modem >and an Ethernet card.) Has anyone actually run 386/ix or some other Unix on MAYBE. I've seen the slot access, and it's a mighty tight fit... If you want to put something hunky like a ports card in there, good luck. >one? Is there some other machine I should be considering? A lunchbox machine >like the Compaq Portable 386 would be a possibility, though the Compaq is >pretty expensive and its expansion memory is unbelievably expensive. One of many reasons why I loathe Compaq... >Thanks, as always, in advance >-- >John R. Levine, Segue Software, POB 349, Cambridge MA 02238, +1 617 864 9650 I don't actually have a Dolch; I'm just using them as an example. I've heard only good things about their equipment, and we had one here for awhile. They seem to be pretty well thought-out for their market. They are located in San Jose, phone # (800) 538-7506 outside of CA, (800) 223-2077 within. I have no interest in Dolch except as a satisfied non-customer. [-: -- Alan Denney # Informix # aland@informix.com # {pyramid|uunet}!infmx!aland "She makes champagne out of 7-Up and cheap wine -- a Chemist." "Earth to Doris", Was (Not Was)
gary@sci34hub.UUCP (Gary Heston) (06/12/90)
In article <1990Jun11.085106.24029@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu> sanand@hub.toronto.edu (Sanand Patel) writes: >I run SCO XENIX on a t5200/100. 4 MB RAM, 100 MB disk, 2400 modem (on exp. >slot) bus mouse. For my requirements XENIX was ok, but on retrospect I would >recommend SCO "Open Desk Top". The XENIX I have is a "full" installation. I wouldn't. You'll need another hard drive. ODT + {Xenix Unix} requires 100MB just to hold it; user filesystems are extra. ODT looks nice (it's on a machine about 10' to my right), but it's a resource hog. -- Gary Heston { uunet!sci34hub!gary } System Mismanager SCI Technology, Inc. OEM Products Department (i.e., computers) "I think, therefore, !PANIC! illegal protected mode access attempt Memory fault: core dumped (Just installed rn--testing!!)
shwake@raysnec.UUCP (Ray Shwake) (06/13/90)
In article <1990Jun11.023538.7101@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us> johnl@esegue.segue.boston.ma.us (John R. Levine) writes: > >Running on batteries is unimportant, when I'm on a plane I sleep. The Toshiba >T5200 appears to qualify nicely on every point except perhaps the last. (It >has one long and one short internal slot, enough for an internal Telebit modem >and an Ethernet card.) Has anyone actually run 386/ix or some other Unix on >one? Not only have I seen it running, I saw it at the Interactive booth at Uniforum! Toshiba has offered ISC as one of its UNIX options (the others being Toshiba's own TP/ix and SCO Xenix). I was told that the standard, off-the-shelf version for AT-class machines (3-1/2" media) would work with the Toshiba, but have also heard that a special driver may be required to support the on-board VGA plasma screen. Anyone know for sure? Though it IS pricey, it's also the class act in portable UNIX boxes. The recently announced portable Sparcstation from Toshiba, once it arrives in the U.S., will probably be more of a niche product - at twice the price of the 5200. Would LOVE to see that model's screen replace that of the 5200... higher resolution, easier on the eyes.
jeff@ism780c.isc.com (Jeff Copeland) (06/14/90)
In article <647@sci34hub.UUCP> gary@sci34hub.sci.com (Gary Heston) writes: >I wouldn't. You'll need another hard drive. ODT + {Xenix Unix} requires >100MB just to hold it; user filesystems are extra. Actually, I'm running 386/ix + X11 on my desktop Compaq: even with my voluminous user files, everything fits comfortably on a 100meg disk. ODT may be considerably more of a resource hog than X.
gary@sci34hub.UUCP (Gary Heston) (06/15/90)
In article <43896@ism780c.isc.com> jeff@ism780c.UUCP (Jeff Copeland) writes: >In article <647@sci34hub.UUCP> gary@sci34hub.sci.com (that's me!) wrote: >>I wouldn't. You'll need another hard drive. ODT + {Xenix Unix} requires >>100MB just to hold it; user filesystems are extra. > >Actually, I'm running 386/ix + X11 on my desktop Compaq: even with my >voluminous user files, everything fits comfortably on a 100meg disk. >ODT may be considerably more of a resource hog than X. I went and ask the evaluator; SCO UNIX and the SINGLE USER version of ODT takes an even 100MB unless you leave out parts of ODT. I have no idea how much additional space, if any, the multi-user version of ODT would take. If you think ODT will be a big success, buy stock in drive and memory manufacturers.... :-) We run quite a few 386/ix machines with 68MB drives, multiple users, etc. and have very few space problems. Usually VP/ix eats the most space for us. -- Gary Heston { uunet!sci34hub!gary } System Mismanager SCI Technology, Inc. OEM Products Department (i.e., computers) "I think, therefore, !PANIC! illegal protected mode access attempt Memory fault: core dumped (Just installed rn--testing!!)
rfarris@serene.UUCP (Rick Farris) (06/16/90)
In article <43896@ism780c.isc.com> jeff@ism780c.UUCP (Jeff Copeland) writes: > In article <647@sci34hub.UUCP> gary@sci34hub.sci.com (Gary Heston) writes: >> ODT + {Xenix, Unix} requires 100MB just to hold it... > ODT may be considerably more of a resource hog than X. Actually, 30 MB of the required 100 MB for ODT is taken up by ODT-DATA (Ingres). If you can live without Ingres, you can have at least 30 MB of user files. Actually, if you can live without Ingres *and* networking, (tcp-ip & nfs), you can save another 7 MB. Here's the breakdown from the ODT release notes: ODT-OS Runtime 9.0 MB Swap Space 15.0 MB Workspace 9.0 MB ODT-OS Extended Utils 13.2 MB ODT-NET 6.7 MB ODT-VIEW (X11R3) 12.5 MB ODT-DOS (DosMerge) 2.4 MB ODT-DATA (Ingres) 32.0 MB ------------------------------------ Total 100 MB Note that the 100MB includes 9MB of 'workspace', so dropping ODT-DATA and ODT-NET would leave you with about 40 MB of usable file space. It sure is tempting to leave tcp-ip in, though, and be able to connect right up to your home-office network. Rick Farris RF Engineering POB M Del Mar, CA 92014 voice (619) 259-6793 rfarris@rfengr.com ...!ucsd!serene!rfarris serene.UUCP 259-7757