From: joeles@cup.portal.com (Joel Edward Swan)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc,comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re: Notebook Computers Dominate Comdex
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 92 19:26:25 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
  <1992Nov17.205655.4121@memstvx1.memst.edu> <Bxw7r0.CHM@news.iastate.edu>

>In article <1992Nov17.205655.4121@memstvx1.memst.edu> langston@memstvx1.memst.
e
>du (Mark C. Langston) writes:
>>  Several reasons why C= is not in the notebook/pen market yet:
>>
>>a)  Does anyone actually want a portable Amiga with a monochrome LCD screen
>>    not capable of the resolutions/scan rates that make the Amiga unique?

Yes, I do.  I don't see uniqueness equal to usefulness.  Seems like the PC
notebooks with 640*480 seem to do fine.  The only real lack is many of the
programs usefull on a laptop like a fast WP, or spreadsheet.  Some of the
databases would work fine.

>>b)  You think the screen flickers now...wait 'til you see the LCD jump becaus
e
>>    it can't keep up with the video signal.

Actually the slower LCD would probably act like a natural long persistance
screen.  Perfect for interlace type display.  Excellent point FOR a laptop.
Thanks.

>>c)  Where are the portable digitizers/genlocks/video processors/midi-capable
>>    keyboards/stereo systems that we can hook up to the new portable Amigas,
>>    and how are you gonna carry it all?

They will continue to come once there is a need.  Did you see any DESKTOP 
digitizers/genlocks/vidoe procs/etc.  for the Amiga BEFORE there was a
DESKTOP Amiga?  No?  Duh!

>>d)  Perhaps they're spending the money elsewhere (hmmm... a4000? 1200? 600?)

600?  Yeah, much nicer than a laptop?  Hehe.  Sure.  And all the deadend
paths like Amiga Unix and original CDTV (not that they couldn't be nice, but
they are ending up as development money down the preverbial tube).

>>e)  just how expandable do you think one of those notebooks is?  Besides
>>    being able to add more memory, it wouldn't be exceptional until a
>>    PCMCIA card is developed as a Mac or IBM emulator.

As much or moreso than the 1200.  Have you ever seen a fully outfitted
laptop?  I suspect not.  Ever played with Apple's Powerbook Duo?  Hmm,
didn't think so.

>>f)  Maybe because they hear people rant and rave about how terrible the
>>    company is, and how horrible the computers are, which drives sales down,
>>    which takes money for R&D out of their pockets, and makes them feel
>>    there's no market for such a beast.

More like they listen to marketers who aren't sure what to do, not users who
ask for legitimate solutions to legitimate needs.

>>g)  Maybe they're working on one right now, and just don't feel it's really
>>    necessary for Mr. Barrett to complain about it before it's even out the
>>    door, because then his 'complain its not around, then complain about it
>>    when it's finally released' streak would be broken...and we wouldn't want
>>    that!  ;-)

If they were, it would be against all of your preceeding "logic" and in favor
of Marc's request.  Think about it :-) 

-Joel
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  / Joel E. Swan....Pres./...Media Specialties, Ltd., Oak Forest, IL.USA  /
 / & Senior Producer..../...Moody Broadcasting Network, Chicago, IL. USA /
/ Portal ID: joeles..../...joeles@cup.portal.com                        /
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