HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Date: Wed,  2 Sep 1992 15:27:16 -0400 
From: Edwin Huang <eh1s+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: experience with DECpc 320SX or DELL Dimension NL25 (or similar)?
	<52774@dime.cs.umass.edu>

Excerpts from netnews.comp.sys.laptops: 1-Sep-92 Re: experience with
DECpc 3.. victor yodaiken@chelm.cs (834)

> The display  is not very good: grossly inferior to the display on my
> Toshiba T1000XE and only a contrast control, no backlight intensity
> control. The save/resume feature does not work in protected mode. Otherwise
> it's ok. 


Well as he said the screen is very undersized. I personally dislike it.
Weight and battery life are fairly good, as  I used it for 2.5 hours
running  the modem as well. There is a backlight intensity control but
you have to find it. It is on the left side of the computer and has 4
settings or so.

The DEC my IS department ordered came with a logitech trackball and
stacker.  MSDOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1. (icky!) It is very light, only 5
pounds at most with the battery and internal modem. The clockspeed of
the DEC goes from 20 to something like 10-12 mhz when running off the
battery to conserve energy. But it isn't bad for the price, but let me
say, it isn't a thrilling bargain either.

It lists for about $1800 US.

Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: grichard@swimming.cis.ohio-state.edu (Golden Richard III)
Subject: Re: PCMCIA slot in Toshiba 3300SL + Misc. Ramblings
Organization: The Ohio State University Dept. of Computer and Info. Science
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 13:20:38 GMT


I called the Toshiba BBS last night and caught up on reading the
message bases.  From what I can tell, Toshiba is developing 'devices'
for the PCMCIA port, apparently in addition to the 2400 baud modem now
offered.  There was doublespeak involved, however, so I can't tell if
non-modem things are being considered.

Apparently Toshiba is also "considering" drivers for the power
conservation features + resume under OS/2 2.0 but the sysop had no
specific details.

I did discover something interesting last night.  Apparently the
docking station doesn't bring out hard drive controller stuff, making
any additional drives (other than a floppy, which you can have w/o the
docking station) dependent on a controller card.  This makes the two
slots look even more restrictive.

-- 
Golden Richard III             OSU Dept. of Computer and Information Science
grichard@cis.ohio-state.edu                                   (614) 292-0056
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: ematias@dgp.toronto.edu (Edgar Matias)
Subject: Re: Portable pointing devices
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Date: 30 Aug 92 22:38:37 GMT


> In article <1992Aug27.111446.722@csqx.cs.rhbnc.ac.uk>
> adrian@csqx.cs.rhbnc.ac.uk (A Johnstone) writes:
> >
> >I own a portable trackman, and Iwould cheerfully replace my workstation
> >mouse with it standing on its end.
>
> That's very interesting, though I don't understand why you would want to do
> this.  A mouse is a better all-around input device than a trackball.  Why
> would you want to replace it with something that's worse?
 
> Edgar
> ----------

In article <<18170036@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com>
deanc@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com (Dean Cashen) writes:
>
>Well, this is a nice, objective, offering: "A mouse is a better all-around
>input device than a trackball."  Maybe you could tell us what the best
>color for a house, or a car, is.  Do you have a solution to world
>hunger too?

Not off the top of my head...  :-)

Sorry, I should have explained myself better.  What I meant was that for
tasks that most GUIs require (pointing & dragging, etc.), test subjects
have performed better using mice and pen devices than with trackballs.
In other words, "A mouse is a better all-around input device than a
trackball"...

Recall that I was asking him a question ("Why would you want to..." above);
I did not tell him not to use a trackball. 

>they have drawbacks, mostly deskspace, along with locality; they have to be

This is an answer to my question.

Edgar
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: tw42297@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Aeroman)
Subject: Re: IBM L40SX vs. Compudyne vs. ? Comments?
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 17:11:43 GMT

I used to have a Compudyne NB20SX until it broke and now have an IBM L40SX
from USA Flex.  In my opinion, there is no comparison.  You get quality with
a name brand system that will be immediately noticed.

The display is only 32 grey shades, but is very bright and an excellent
contrast ratio.

It has a REAL keyboard very similar to a desktop's and also an external
numeric keypad (great for spreadsheet work).

It's a small laptop, not a notebook.  A bit heavier.  Carrying case only
holds the computer and manual, ... won't fit AC adapter, extra battery or
much else.

I've only been able to get about 2 hours of continuous use with the battery
after seasoning (charge/discharge) it 4 times.

For $1299.00 + 14.95 2 day air shipping, you can't beat it (at least not now)
...we all know if we play the "waiting game," everything will get less
expensive.

I also got a Cyrix Fasmath 25 Mhz coprocessor for $79 + $3 shipping and
a 4 Meg RAM module (both fairly easy to install) for $157 + $5 shipping.

Now that's very inexpensive.

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.
These are MY opinions.
________________________________________________________________________________

   Tony Wang						__o	
   University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	       -\<,
   Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering	 ____(_)/(_)____
   E-mail: aeroman@uiuc.edu
From: n.margetic@ucl.ac.uk (Nino Margetic)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Toshiba BBS
Date: 27 Aug 92 14:28:59 GMT
Reply-To: nino@mph.sm.ucl.ac.uk (Nino Margetic)
Organization: University College London

In <1992Aug26.153202.14270@sequent.com> coryc@sequent.com (Cory Carpenter) writes:

>In article <1992Aug26.145452.9461@cis.ohio-state.edu> grichard@swimming.cis.ohio-state.edu (Golden Richard III) writes:
>>
>>Does Toshiba maintain a BBS or ftp site?  I'd be interested in the
>>specifics if anyone has any info.
>>
>>Thanks!
>>-- 

>Yes, Toshiba Customer Service does maintain a BBS.  The number is 
>(714) 837-4408, the modem parameters are 2400-N81   They also have a

*** Anything in Europe, or better still, in the UK??

Thanks,

--Nino

--
Janet: n.margetic@uk.ac.ucl                \     Nino Margetic         
Earn/Bitnet/Internet: n.margetic@ucl.ac.uk  \    University College London, UK
Bang: ...!mcvax!uknet!ucl!n.margetic         \   +44 71 387 9300 /x 53 13
From: v347jqdy@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Albert B Hanneman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Zeos Freestyle/SL Notebook
Date: 2 Sep 92 23:51:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


   I was wondering if anyone has information on, or has used, the 
new ZEOS Freestyle/SL notebook.  From looking at one of the many 
ads I have seen it looks pretty nice.  I am a college student and
it would be my only computer. 

   In particular I was wondering about the display.  I know it has a 
Cirrus video chip, but which one?  I know the Cirrus chip in the 
Dell NL25 got pretty bad reviews from some people.  I was also wondering 
about the mouse key it comes with...

   Any information would be helpfull.  Thanks in advance...



         ______________________________________________          
         Albert B. Hanneman       V347JQDY@ubvms.bitnet
         Aerospace Engineering          SUNY at Buffalo
         ----------------------------------------------
From: guy@ns.network.com (Guy D'Andrea)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: T1000SE... is it alright to keep it plugged in all the time?
Date: 28 Aug 92 20:56:36 GMT
Organization: Network Systems Corporation

Well the title says it all...  I just was wondering if the batteries can handle
the power plugged in all the time - you know, it just sits on the desk waiting
for use?  Otherwise the D: drive dies out unless I keep the battery in to
"slowly-drain" while maintaining the ram.  I wonder if the AC power
supply/charger drops to "trickle-charge" after a while so as not to over-charge
the battery...?

On the battery subject:  I opened up my T1000SE and found two other NiCad
batteries inside.  One was small - like two button cells together.  The other
was basically under the space-bar and was like a real long pencil.  One of these
must be used for the ram expansion and "resume" function which on mine does not
stay up for more than 1/2 a day without the large "main" battery clicked in 
place.  Has anyone ever replaced one of these?


Aaaaaannnnnnnd since you are reading this... ;-)  I also saw that there was
some empty places for for on-board ram - 256k x 4's maybe?  Anyway has anyone
heard of adding to this?  I do have the 2Meg-credit card installed right now...

Ok I guess that's enough for now - more questions to come!!!

-Guy

 guy@nsco.network.com, Guy Dandrea, Network Systems Corp., Mpls. MN 55428,  USA 
                        1-800-328-9108  Fax:(612)424-1736 
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: wmedetz@risc.uni-linz.ac.at (Medetz Wilhelm)
Subject: Toshiba 6400 --- 256 Colors X11 Server 
Reply-To: wmedetz@risc.uni-linz.ac.at (Medetz Wilhelm)
Organization: RISC, J.K. University of Linz, Austria
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 11:22:35 GMT


Does anyone know how to get an X11r5 Server 
supporting 256 colors for a Toshiba 6400 
running Interactive Unix 3.2.


Thanks in advance

W. Medetz
From: mcclaine@milton.u.washington.edu (Robert Casey)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Feedback requested on Toshiba T4400SX b/w laptop
Keywords: PowerBook
Date: 4 Sep 92 20:52:20 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Sep4.205220.26503
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle

In article <92Sep04.175109.32038@acs.ucalgary.ca> panlilio@acs.ucalgary.ca (Victor P. Panlilio) writes:
>In article <14831@mindlink.bc.ca> Guy_Saffold@mindlink.bc.ca (Guy Saffold) writes:
>
>>The speed and processing power are superb, especially for running windows.
>					    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>Have installed Win 3.1 previously, with Word Windows 2.0 and
>Excel 4.0. I STILL like the Mac GUI better (I use BOTH, BTW).

	I would have to agree that if a person is interested in
	a strong GUI, they should take serious consideration toward
	the company that practically invented GUI and uses it as its
	primary function, not just a software package.
>
>even PC Magazine and PC Week both determined that the PB170 is
>the best notebook computer on the planet, PERIOD. That's right,
>two major PC-oriented publications had the NERVE to name an Apple
>product as SUPERIOR to its Intel-based competition! A product
>that was hailed in Fortune, Business Week, Time, Byte, Infoworld.

	Well, that may be overstating the fact a bit.  I remember the
	August issue of PC Magazine as definately putting the Powerbook
	in a class by itself, but its main downfalls are price for
	what is offered and CPU performance, which they feel falls 
	behind many of the Intel-based PC's.



	_/_/_/_/   _/_/_/_/   _/_/_/   	Han:  "I knew you were going to say
	_/     _/  _/       _/     _/          that, old fool."
	_/     _/  _/       _/              
	_/_/_/_/   _/_/_/   _/            
	_/   _/    _/       _/          Ben:  "Who's more foolish, the fool
	_/    _/   _/       _/     _/          or the fool who follows him?"
	_/     _/  _/_/_/_/   _/_/_/      
	Robert E. Casey  (mcclaine@milton.u.washington.edu)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: 32-bit external SVGA comi
From: daniel.moran@pcb.batpad.lgb.ca.us (Daniel Moran) 
Date: 4 Sep 92 03:41:00 GMT
Reply-To: daniel.moran@pcb.batpad.lgb.ca.us (Daniel Moran) 
Distribution: world
Organization: The Batchelor Pad PCBoard ~ Long Beach, CA ~ +1 310 494 8084


hellers@wisc.edu (Joe Hellerstein) writes:

JH>Does anybody know of any likelihood of laptops/notebooks being
JH>equipped with serious external video capabilities in the near future
JH>(e.g. 32-bit SVGA port)?  I'm considering buying a notebook and
JH>treating it like a desktop machine a lot of the time.  A friend has
JH>suggested I wait for local bus technology to hit laptops.  Is that a
JH>pipe dream?

Seems unlikely to me, at least soon. There's no technical reason it
couldn't be done, of course, but I doubt there's any great call for it
in the marketplace. The principal function of the video circuitry in a
notebook is, of necessity, driving the LCD/gas plasma/etc. screen. In
90+ percent of all cases, I doubt the added functionality necessary to
drive an external monitor in hicolor or 24-bit color, would prove to be
cost efficient. There may be a niche marketplace for such things, but I
suspect you're going to wait a while for people to get around to filling
it.

Lunchbox designs are a different matter. Wouldn't surprise me to see,
for example, Dolch come out with a local bus video some time soon.
But that's a very different market than the notebook stuff, and you'll
pay through the nose for it.
From: tron@apple.com (Tantek Celik)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Powerbook 100 bad deal?
Date: 2 Sep 92 00:00:20 GMT
Followup-To: comp.sys.laptops
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.

In article <1992Sep1.132157.20268@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu>,
ematias@dgp.toronto.edu (Edgar Matias) wrote:
> 
> 
> > List of questions about the Mac PowerBook 100 deleted...
> 
> The PB 100 is actually a pretty clever design.  Of the original three
> models (not sure about the 145) it is only one that you can set up with
> a RAM drive that you can boot from (a very nice feature that makes for
> *very* fast startup times).

This is not entirely correct.  ALL PowerBook models have the ability to
setup a RAM disk which you can boot from.  ALL PowerBooks save the RAM disk
during Restarts.  On the 100 you have the additional feature that the RAM
disk is saved when you Shutdown the PowerBook.  As far as I know, on the
140,145,170 the RAM disk goes bye-bye when you shut them down.  I get
around this problem on my 170 by simply never shutting down; I just put it
into "Sleep" mode because waking up is much faster than booting up.  Not to
mention that going to sleep is faster than shutting down because you don't
need to close documents and quit applications.


>  You can also get an adapter that will make
> the HD on your PB look like a SCSI hard drive.  So if you want to transfer
> files from you PB to your desktop Mac, it's just a matter of connect your
> PB to the SCSI port of your desktop Mac.  Bang you have both hard drives
> on your desktop.  Very cool...>

Yes, way cool.  Although using AppleTalk and Personal Fileshare is not a
bad substitute if you are unfortunate enough to own one of the higher end
models. :-)
 

tron@apple.com

THE OPINIONS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE THOSE OF MY OWN, NOT OF MY USER OR
SYSTEM.

END OF LINE.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: dru@meaddata.com (Dru Henke)
Subject: Re: LapLink & disk sharing
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 15:25:42 GMT

In article <q53cqB1w163w@coyote.datalog.com>,
   ferdie@coyote.datalog.com (fred jarvis) writes:

fred>   The $25 Network (they have a small ad in the back of Dr. Dobbs)
fred> allows disk sharing via serial port.  I have been using it for a
fred> short while and am reasonably satisfied with it, and it is cheap.

Does it work with Windows 3.1? Stacker?

Dru
--
Dru Henke                                       Anything worth doing
dru@meaddata.com                                is worth overdoing.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: chein@eng.auburn.edu (Tsan Heui)
Subject: Reduced price $650 for 286/2MB memory Laptop
Organization: Auburn University Engineering
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 19:29:56 GMT


I am reducing the price from $725 to $650 for a quick sale.

Bondwell B310:

  80C286, 12MHz (zero wait state) CPU
  2 Meg. RAM
  1 1.44 Floppy Drive
  40 M Conner Hard Disk Drive
  2 RS232 serial, 1 parallel, 1 CGA port.
  3 rechargeable batteries.
  Adaptor/charger
  Size: 13x12.2x2.2 inch.
  Weight: 8.5lb (w/battery pack)
  10.5" supertwist, nonglare, high contrast LCD display
  Real-time calendar/clock (battery backup)

Prefer to sell it as listed above. For 2MB memory, about 1.4MB of it is 
configured as a RAM drive and is very nice in running programs including
WordPerfect. The hard disk can be turned off and therefore no noise except
your typing keystrokes can be heard.

I include 3 rechargeable batteries. For new batteries, each would cost more than$50. 

The 2MB memory is very useful. If you have not used a RAM drive, you deserve a
try. The memory upgrade costed me $125. It may still cost $115 today. Think of
the price of memory upgrade and two rechargeable batteries (around $200), it's
like you get a 286 laptop with 1M RAM and 40 M HD for $450, isn't it?



Xref: sparky comp.sys.laptops:3356 misc.forsale.computers:31628
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops,misc.forsale.computers
Subject: >>>>286 laptop 4.4 lbs $650<<<<
Supersedes: <92244.033428AUWAC@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Organization: Arizona State University
Date: Monday, 31 Aug 1992 09:54:05 MST
From: <AUWAC@ASUACAD.BITNET>

Hello to all.  Here's the system.  All info is taken straight from the manual:

Texas Instruments TravelMate 2000
CPU: 16-bit 286 running at 12mhz (or optional 6mhz)
RAM: 1 Meg.  Expandable to 3 Megs.
ROM: Laplink and MS-DOS 4.01 on ROM.
Display: Illuminated triple supertwist LCD, 8in x 6in, 640 x 480 pixels,
         VGA with 16 shades of grey.
Harddrive: 2.5in, 20 Meg (0 error blocks)
Dimentions: 8.5in x 11in x 1.4in
Weight: 4.4 lbs, including battery.
Working battery with low milage.
Full manufaturer's warranty with over 4 months left.
Ports: 100 pin expansion, 9 pin RS-232C, Printer

The following software is installed on the system:
Windows 3.1
MS Works for Windows
Stacker (automatic harddisk compressor)
ProComm modem software
Norton Disk Utilities
Several games and GIFs

The system can be expanded with the following options:
Add-On battery pack which allows 5 hours of continuous use.
Internal 2400/9600 fax/modem
80C287 Math Coprocessor
2 x 1 Meg expansion cards
Numeric keypad
And an external 1.44 floppy drive (God forbid)

   This system is only 7 months old and in new condition.  There are no
scratches or stains.  It comes with all the original boxes and manuals,
including the manual for MS-DOS 4.01.  The system has no disk drive, though,
which explains why it is so incredibly light.  It is intended for use with
people who have desktop systems.  The system comes with Laplink, which is a
high-speed null modem program for fransfering info to a system with a disk
drive, in case you need something on disk.  The transfer rate is 115,000 baud.
On the road, data is stored on the harddrive.  Note that an external 1.44
floppy can be purchased for the system.  All cords and the adaptor are included
(including the Laplink null cord, which can work on a 9 pin or 25 pin RS-232).

$675 plus shipping takes all.

Feel free to ask questions, if you have any.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: andreas@awstar.rus.uni-stuttgart.de (Andreas Wierse)
Subject: experience with DECpc 320SX or DELL Dimension NL25 (or similar)?
Organization: Visualization Group Comp.Center (RUS) U of Stuttgart, FRG
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 18:52:44 GMT


Hi,

I'm going to buy a notebook for my father. We agreed that it should
have the following features (at least):

386 SX (20 MHz)
2 MB RAM
60 MB HD
VGA external,
serial and parallel port
<= 3kg
good display (very important!)
and it should come with DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1
(plus mouse if possible).

By calling several vendors and computer shops as well as reading ads, I
found that the Toshibas would exceed our price limits (~ 4,500.-- DM) as
well as the Sharps and Zeniths. No name products are not so likely to be
decided for since my father has to get along with his notebook on his
own (I'll visit him once every month), so hardware problems cannot be
taken care of by me (as I do with my no-name 386-40 desktop) and some
kind of support is necessary.

During my search I dug up the following two, of whom the DELL is my
favorite although it costs more.

The DECpc 320SX which exactly fits the features above and will come for
about 4,000 DM (w/o mouse) from DECdirekt (as they call it here in
Germany. My problem is that I didn't find any information about it
besides the DEC ads: no review, no objective test, etc.. I have no
possibility to "just have a look" on it, since it can only be ordered
directly, no show rooms, etc.. Especially the display is difficult to be
judged from a b/w photograph :-)

The other one is the new DELL Dimension NL25, which comes with 4 MB RAM
and 80 MB HD as well as mouse and Works for Windows (could be left out)
for ~ 5,000.-- DM. Performance seems to be better and there is a quite
good review in the september issue of PC World (best buy, one of three
out of 21).

Is anybody out there who owns one of these two and can tell me about his
experiences with it, or at least point me to a review of either of
these (especially the DEC) ? 
Any other notebooks to take into account ? (note that they should be
available in Germany :-) and the $-exchange rate for notebooks seems to
lie between 2 and 2.5 DM for 1 $ :-(  )

Thanks in Advance

Andreas

--
 Andreas Wierse              | Institute for Computerapplications II
                             | Dep. Computersimulation and Visualization
 wierse@rus.uni-stuttgart.de | Computer Center University of Stuttgart
 Tel.: ++49-711-685-5796     | Allmandring 30
 Fax:  ++49-711-682357       | D-7000 Stuttgart 80     Germany
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: ALSOBROOK@biomed.med.yale.edu (John Alsobrook)
Subject: cellular modems for notebooks
Organization: Yale University
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 21:35:19 GMT
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.20

Does anyone reading this know of a cellular modem (i.e. a modem using
cellular-phone roaming technology) that fits in/under/near a notebook
PC? Thanks.

****************************************************************************
*                                       | "Giving money and power to the   *
* John Alsobrook                        |    government is like giving     *
* Child Study Center                    |     whiskey and car keys to      *
* Yale University School of Medicine    |  teenage boys." - P.J. O'Rourke  *
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------*
*                       blame me, not my parents!                          * 
*                  bitnet: alsobrook@yalemed.bitnet                        *
*               internet:alsobrook@biomed.med.yale.edu                     *
*--------------------------------------------------------------------------*
...and, of course, nothing I ever say is officially sanctioned by Yale...
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: ferdie@coyote.datalog.com (fred jarvis)
Subject: Re: LapLink & disk sharing
Organization: Datalog Consulting, Tucson, AZ
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 92 08:08:35 GMT

  The $25 Network (they have a small ad in the back of Dr. Dobbs)
allows disk sharing via serial port.  I have been using it for a short
while and am reasonably satisfied with it, and it is cheap.  They also
sell "Little Big Lan" which is similar but also allows parallel port
transfers.  It is $75, I believe.  I'd be interested in any experience
people have had with the latter.  Both products are from "Information
Modes", P.O. Drawer F., Denton, Texas 76202, phone (817) 387-3339
    Fred Jarvis   ferdie@coyote.datalog.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
From: melkinen@jyu.fi (Heikki Melkinen)
Subject: Need info on shops and prices in New York
Organization: University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1992 10:36:34 GMT



A friend of mine is going to visit New York. He has an IBM L40SX notebook
and he would need to buy 4 MB of memory and also a Deluxe bag for it.

He would like to know about the prices of these items and a few shop names
and addresses where he could find these items cheaply (preferably not very
far from the center of NY). 

Answers to:  jmat@jyu.fi

Thank you!