From: gavin@mtl.mit.edu (Gavin C. H. Zau)
Subject: my experience with 700C PART II
Keywords: IBM thinkpad, 700C, notebook, PS2
Organization: MIT Microsystems Technology Laboratories
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 03:57:06 GMT

Hello,
  Wow alot of questions about the IBM Thinkpad 700 series.  I'll
try to answer as much as I can - remember I have only used it for
4 days!!!

1) Modem: Yes, there is a 9600baud internal data/fax modem.  I cannot
          remember which protocol it support.  It is listed $290ish

2) GUI: Yes, I am using MS Windows 3.1 and it is fast enough - no 
        problem at all.  The power stick is good in windows.  The
        cursor speed is proportional to the force applied so you can
        really nudge it if required.  
        BTW IBM support says they DO NOT officially support windows!!
        I have to figure out how to get the 256 color mode in windows.

3) Typing: Power stick does not interfer with my typing - touch typing.

4) Mouse click:  The 2 buttons beneath the space bar are the mouse keys.
                 I pretty much use my right index finger to push the stick
                 and my thumb to use the buttons.  NO PROBLEM AT ALL
                 A couple of my friends have tried it - everyone wants to
                 try it!!  And they liked it.  Many prefered it to the
                 Apple powerbook trackball since your hands do not have to 
                 move from the keyboard at all.

5) OS2: NO. There is a special version of OS2, version 2.0.1 or something
        like that for the thinkpad so that it can shut down.

6) Suspend mode: Yes, when you close the screen the notebook suspends
                 There is an indicator that comes on.  I think you can
                 manually suspend it also - beside low battery forced
                 suspension.

7) Power management again: You can set screen, CPU, HD, serial ports
                           idle time to suspend that part from software.

8) Processor Speed: Well when I said slow I was running 4000 number 
                    correlation coeff matrix and other very numerical
                    intensive stuff in EXCEL 4.0 in WIN 3.1 without
                    math co-processor.
                    The 486SLC (the IBM one) is a 486 integer processor
                    with 16 KB cache (vs 8KB) at 25MHz.  You can upgrade
                    to a 486SLC2 (50MHz internal/25 MHz external) list 
                    $500 or so.

9) Math Coprocessor: I am going to install one tomorrow a 387SL.  It is
                     very easy.  You just lift a hatch on the bottom in
                     a special way and it opens to the 387 socket.  In
                     fact everything is removable by the user - HD, modem
                     etc.  The manual is quite good and the installation
                     procedure is simple.

10) Memory: Got a shock asking for the price today.  The 8MB IC RAM card
            is $900 ish!!!!!

11) Security: As I said before there is a latch that you can lock the
              thinkpad with (actually part of the HD lock-in).  There
              is also a security station $90ish that will lock in
              everything including the add ins like modem, IC RAM cards.

12) Monochrome: Well don't know much about that except the battery last
                much longer on the order of 6 hours!!! and it is thinner.
                I think you can upgrade later for $1500 or so to the 
                TFT color screen!!!  

13) CRT: VGA only for external, but can simul-display with LCD.  The
         LCD can be tilted all the way to 180 degree.

14) Price: OK, the suggested retail price is $4300 or so.  With my
           educational discount it was $3700ish with tax $3900.  Not
           a thing you buy everyday, BUT to my surprise it was the
           cheapest active colour TFT screen notebook and the performance
           was good.  (Only the not yet available AST Powerexec is the
           same price).

15) Docking station: There is one for $900 that can hold 2 drives and 2 
                     cards plus keyboard, mouse, CRT - I think.  Remember
                     the 700C is a full PS2 computer with 32 bit micro-
                     channel bus, so you are going to pay alot (well more)
                     for your add ins.
                     An interesting thing is the 1/2 size card holder.
                     I forgot the official name, but it allows you to add
                     a 1/2 length card to the 700C which kinds of integrates
                     with the back making it kinda portable.  This is for
                     network cards.

Overall Again: I recommend the Thinkpad 700C.  Good performance, hopefully
               better when I install the 387SL.  Great screen, no mouse
               trail or lost pointer - I am not even considering buying
               a regular monitor for my desktop use.  Power stick is great
               certainly the best portable pointing device I have ever used.
               A mouse is still slightly better but that could be my 
               familiarity with using a mouse - I am getting better and faster
               on the stick.  

My Most Wanted List: Cheaper peripheral items IC RAM card, modem, battery

Again please e-mail question to me and I'll post the answers to the net.
Hope this helps...  It certainly took me alot of time to dig it out from IBM.
-- 

****************************************************************
Gavin Zau	Dept of Chemical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA
		gavin@mtl.mit.edu  gavinb@athena.mit.edu