From: anthony@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Anthony J Stieber)
Subject: Re: What can I do with an HP95LX?
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1992 20:17:41 GMT

In article <1992Sep5.132210.23881@panix.com> joseph@panix.com (Joseph R. Skoler) writes:
>
>I'm considering buying an HP95LX, but I'd sure like to hear from current 
>users first.

>What do people do with it?  I believe it comes with a meg, but is that RAM, 
>ROM, or semi-permanent, disk-like storage?

1MB ROM, 512KB and 1MB RAM models.  The RAM is subdivided into
conventional MS-DOS RAM space and a nonvolitile RAM disk.  On my 512KB machine
maximum conventional RAM is 490KB with a 22KB RAM disk, and minimal
conventional RAM is 200KB with a 312KB RAM disk (figures are approximate).
The 1MB model can have up to a full 640KB of conventional RAM, the balance
is always RAM disk.  The ROM is taken up by MS-DOS 3.22, Lotus 123, and
the personal information management applictions.
There is a PCMCIA standard card slot which can hold up to 2MB of RAM
or assorted ROM.

>Can I download my 700K application and 2 meg datafile from my PC and run 
>it on the palmtop?

Is that a single 700KB executable (overlays I hope)?  It would be a rather tight fit.  Your data
could fit on a 2MB RAM card (about $400), your application would fit
in the RAM disk, but you would have little conventional RAM to run it in.
A simple solution would be to configure for 640KB, load the application,
then delete it from a RAM disk to free up space for the data.  
Data compression software like DIET could free up enough space so you wouldn't
have to do that.

>Can I run Wordperfect?  Or any wordprocessor/text editor? for later uploading 
>to the PC?

Many months ago someone posted that the Word Perfect ROM card worked
fine in the HP, the disk based version would probably work as well.
The machine comes with its own limited memo editor, which uses plain
ASCII.  Since the HP is mostly IBM PC compatable, you could probably
run any software that you can get to fit into it.  Note that the
display is only 40x16 characters, and that it uses a proprietary
graphics mode.  You might run into problems with some software,
try it out before you are committed.  Some vendors have 30 day money
back guarantees, like Office Depot.

>Any other info would be much appreciated.

You might find one of the other MS-DOS palmtops better for your needs.
Some of them have two PCMCIA slots, can address bigger cards, and are
physically larger with bigger displays and keyboards.  None are as small
as the HP however.

Here is a short list of them:

			MS-DOS PCMCIA Palmtop Computers

Name          CPU  MHz 	W x D x H    Weight     Display RAM  Slots Cost Battery
			 (inches)   (pounds)                       US$   hours
Abstract R&D F8680 14	8.6  4.3  ???	1.0	CGA	1/2MB	1  600	50
FMRcard    80286				VGA		2  ???	???
HP-95LX    NEC V20 5.37	6.3  3.4  1.0,  0.68	40x16&	512/1MB	1  $500   
Memorex    80C88   7.16	9.33 4.33 1.16, 1.28	CGA?	640KB	1  $600 ???
Poqet PC   80C88   7	8.8  4.3  1.0,  1.2 	CGA	512KB	2* $800 100
Sharp PC-3?00 80C88 10	8.8  4.4  1.0,  1.23	CGA	1/2MB	2  ???  869
Zeos       NEC V30 7.15	9.6  4.5  1.0,  1.20	CGA	1MB	2  $600	10/30

* Poqet PC slots are not totally PCMCIA 1.0 compatible, ask the
card manufacturer about Poqet PC compatability.
& the HP-95LX simulates a virtual MDA and has 240x128 proprietary graphics.

All machines are PCMCIA 1.0 unless otherwise noted, probably Type I cavities.
Some machines have Digital Research's DR-DOS instead of MS-DOS.
Prices are more or less accurate as of 92/08/27.
No LCD has a backlight.

Abstract R&D	510-631-0513
Fujitsu (Poqet)	408-764-9400
Hewlett-Packard	800-443-1254  208-344-4809 fax back service
Memorex		800-CALL-MRX US, 800-268-9886 Canada
Sharp		available from EduCALC 800-677-7001 
Zeos		800-423-5891


More detailed information can be found in the relevant *.news files at
csd4.csd.uwm.edu:/pub/Palmtop.  Please send corrections and additions
to anthony@csd4.csd.uwm.edu.
--
<-:(= Anthony Stieber	anthony@csd4.csd.uwm.edu   uwm!uwmcsd4!anthony