From: ken@cujo.curtin.edu.au (Ken Taylor)
Subject: Re: PowerBooks - 210 v. 160 as Midrange champ
Organization: Curtin University of Technology
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 08:49:42 GMT

Joe Nowak (jnowak@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu) wrote:
: It seems a lot of Mac owners are in the same position -- they have a
: desktop Mac but would also like a PowerBook for on the road computer.
: Apple's two lines of PowerBooks confuse things though.  You have a
: lot of machines clustered around the mid-range -- the 145, 160, and 210
: all run the same speed and are priced similarly.  The question is, is it
: better to go the duo route even if you do not anticipate buying the
: Duo Dock but rather the mini dock and a floppy.  Or is the all in one
: design of the 160 a better setup for a second computer?
: 
: Here are my observations.
: 210 - Plusses:  Size and weight, Better brightness and contrast adjustments,
: longer battery life, caps lock key, expandable interface in duo slot.  Rear 
: "garage door" covering the port seems more sturdy than the flip open panel 
: on the 160.

Also, the docking device need not be an Apple device, ie: plenty of scope
for third party docks with NuBus, ethernet, 24-bit video... ie: Much better
expandability..  This is the main winner for me.. 
The Duo also has a much cheaper method of getting a fast modem.. There are
detractions to this method, but it seems like a pretty good idea to me.

: Minuses: Smaller keyboard, floppy must be attached (can be forgotten),
: smaller trackball, Case seems less sturdy than PB 145/160/180 family,
: Newer form factor has not had shake out period of 145/160/180 family.  
: Smaller screen.  Detachable minidocks and floppies can be forgotten.

I have owned a PB100 for six months now and the floppy has been used no
more than 5 times !!  How often do you really tranfer files on a floppy
if you can connect via localtalk.. I personally never use the things..

: Questions:  Can the minidock run off the battery or must it be plugged in?

Sure can.. And third parties are talking about providing self-powered docks
(ie: The docks EXTEND your battery life !)

: 160 - Plusses:  All in one design that includes a floppy so you cannot forget
: at home.  Bigger screen, better trackball.  Proven form factor.  Video out
: without a minidock.

I find the big trackball a pain (but then I'm used to the PB100).. The 
PROVENness of the 140/145/160/170/180 form factor is a dubious point.. 
My PB100 NEVER failed, while a colleague's PB170 failed no less than 9
times... I suppose that proves something...

: Minuses:  Gray scale screen seems slower than comparable 210, not as easy to 
: adjust screen controls, additional weight.  Battery cannot be changed while 
: computer sleeps.  Less maximum RAM.  Shorter battery life.

...extra weight, less battery life, more fragile screen, etc..

: Result:  My tentative conclusion is that the PB 160 is a better machine for
: the money although lacking the panache and appeal of the new form factor.

Hmm.. Out here in OZ, a PB160 4/40 costs about the same as a 210 4/80.. I'd
personally rather have the disk space..

My Personal Conclusions: After using a PB100, I could never go to something
that weighs that much and feels that clunky and fragile.  The PB210 suits
me to a T....   (Feel free do disagree, I'm sure someone will :)

Ken
-- 
 Ken Taylor              |  "I have a friend who's seen inside my tiny brain
 ken@cujo.curtin.edu.au  |   He's seen the aging and the mildew from the rain
 Curtin University       |   And he does what he can to keep on top of every
 Perth, W. Australia     |     one of them"     - Happy Rhodes
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware