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- Newsgroups: comp.sys.pen
- Path: sparky!uunet!ukma!darwin.sura.net!spool.mu.edu!umn.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!ltao
- From: ltao@netcom.com (Lilly Tao)
- Subject: GRiD Convertible Announcement
- Message-ID: <1992Nov16.203210.8062@netcom.com>
- Organization: Netcom Online
- Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 20:32:10 GMT
- Lines: 148
-
- Below is the text of today's press announcement from GRiD concerning our
- new pen computer. I have been sitting on my hands for weeks to prevent
- myself from telling you all about it. I've used it myself for a few
- weeks and it is truly amazing. When closed, it looks like a tablet pen
- computer, and that's it. But when you press the buttons on the sides,
- the screen swings up (this is difficult to describe) to reveal a full
- keyboard underneath, and the screen is positioned like your usual notebook
- computer screen. So you have a computer which can be used as a tablet
- pen computer or a notebook computer! I would be raving about this machine
- regardless of my company affiliation, and people have been! Check
- out the reviews (there is one in this week's PC Week) and if you're at
- Comdex, check out the machine itself. It is revolutionary and it's
- here *today*!! I'm looking forward to hearing your comments on it.
-
- Lilly Tao GRiD Systems Corp.
- ltao@netcom.com Fremont, CA
- <standard disclaimer "I'm doing this FYI, not for $$, etc etc etc."
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
- NEWS RELEASE
-
- CONTACT
- Kathy Truesdell
- GRiD Systems
- (817) 491-5200
-
- GRiD Systems Introduces "Convertible" Notebook / Pen Computer
-
- LAS VEGAS, November 16--GRiD Systems today announced the industry's first
- pen-based notebook computer designed for people who want the freedom
- and capability to use today's latest PC software anywhere, for any
- application, anytime. The GRiD ConvertibleTM is a combination notebook
- and pen computer that quickly converts into a state-of-the art notebook
- computer from a state-of-the-art tablet computer. The GRiD Convertible
- can take full advantage of pen computing functions in its notebook
- configuration. The new system will be bundled with MS-DOS 5.0 TM
- and Microsoft* Windows for Pens.TM
-
- Bruce Walter, GRiD Systems president said: "Today, the standards in
- notebook computing changed forever. Our Convertible notebook with a pen
- interface will make notebook computers truly personal PCs by redefining
- convenience. It is a competitively priced machine that has every feature
- for today's mobile professional, including power, memory, light-weight,
- internal fax modem, pen computing, and the ability to run all today's
- most popular software."
-
- The GRiD Convertible will run all MS-DOSTM and WindowsTM software. Selected
- software applications recommended by GRiD as uniquely appropriate for the
- GRiD Convertible include mobile fax and receive, contact management,
- scheduling and organizing, personal information management, document
- notation, hand drawn graphics and note taking.
-
- The introduction of the GRiD Convertible is being supported by
- Microsoft Corporation, Slate Corporation, and other major vendors of
- pen computing software in the retail, value-added reseller and GRiD
- sales channels.
-
- William Gates, chairman and CEO, Microsoft Corporation, said: "GRiD
- has created the most accessible portable notebook to date, by seamlessly
- integrating a pen with full function notebook computer capability.
- This system will bring pen computing into the mainstream and change the
- direction of notebook hardware."
-
- Since the 1989 introduction of the GRiDPADTM, the first successful pen
- computer, the systems have been marketed primarily for specialized vertical
- applications, such as claims reporting, data collection, and route
- accounting. The GRiD Convertible is designed to be used by everyone who
- currently uses a personal computer and for those needing a tablet computer
- to use while standing or walking, particularly those who also may need
- keyboard capabilities.
-
- The GRiD Convertible is designed to be used unobtrusively by people in
- meetings as a tablet, as a powerful pen-enabled notebook for mobile
- professionals, or as a powerful desktop unit with pen capabilities
- for those who take their computers home occasionally.
-
- "The GRiD Convertible is a viable system design that will really help
- create interest in the pen-based notebook category. It is the first in
- a category that we expect to become more viable and competitive in
- 1993," said Bruce Stephen, director of PC hardware research, International
- Data Corporation.
-
- "The GRiD Convertible is the most versatile and mobile notebook available,
- designed to be used when workspace is at a premium. Its unique tablet
- design allows it to be used as a pen computer or as a notebook. As a
- tablet, it is easy to use while standing, yet will quickly convert
- into a traditional notebook computer for use on a desk, tray table or
- countertop," said Betsy Reagan, vice president of marketing for GRiD.
-
- "For example, while standing in a phone booth talking on the phone, a sales
- representative, who needs information stored on the units hard disk drive,
- can quickly and easily navigate through data using the pen, with only
- one hand! Later that day, sitting at his desk and using the keyboard,
- that same user can compose a letter to a client," Reagan added.
-
- The GRiD Convertible is a 25 megahertz, Intel386TM SL notebook computer
- that comes standard with two megabytes of system RAM, expandable to 20
- megabytes, a math coprocessor, a rugged magnesium casework, and a 125
- megabyte hard disk drive. The GRiD Convertible has a PCMCIA version 2.0
- compatible expansion slot, and is bundled with an attachable 3.5" 1.44
- megabyte floppy drive.
-
- The system also is shipped with a backlit VGA screen that is 640 X 480
- pixels and measures 9.5" diagonally. The system features simultaneous
- video, so that live presentations and demonstrations can be performed
- via a color VGA monitor or video projection system. The GRiD Convertible
- also supports PenRight!TM, GRiD's DOS-based, pencentric graphical
- application platform.
-
- To implement pen computing, the GRiD Convertible uses a high resolution,
- 400 dots per inch, Logitech digitizer board and cordless pen. The unit,
- which measures 11.5" X 9.3" X 1.5", weighs 5.5 pounds.
-
- The keyboard is a 79-key industry standard QWERTY. GRiD offers two
- internal fax modems as options: a V.22bis 2400 BPS and a V.32bis
- 14,400 BPS, both with MNP level 2 - 4 or V.42 error correction and
- MNP level 5 or V.42bis data compression.
-
- Commenting on the inclusion of the PCMCIA release 2 slot, PCMCIA
- Executive Director Brendan McGuire said, "GRiD Systems is on the
- leading edge of notebook computer makers in providing the recognized
- industry standard expansion capabilities which enable the addition of
- memory, software, I/O, and communications capabilities."
-
- The GRiD Convertible is in production. It is available immediately
- through GRiD's direct sales force, and will be available in quantity
- through mass retail distribution channels in early 1993. Units also
- are shipping now to key customer sites in volume. The GRiD Convertible
- has a suggested retail price of $3495.
-
- GRiD designs, manufactures, markets and services laptop, notebook,
- pen and multimedia computers, and pen-based software development tools.
- GRiD is located at 7 Village Circle, Westlake, Texas. GRiD's products
- are marketed worldwide by GRiD, Tandy GRiD Europe and by authorized
- GRiD distributors and resellers. GRiD Systems Corporation is a
- wholly-owned subsidiary of Tandy Corporation, Fort Worth, Texas, a
- leading manufacturer and distributor of consumer electronics and computers.
-
-
-
-
- GRiD is a registered trademark of Grid Systems Corporation. GRiD Convertible,
- GRiDPAD, and PenRight! are trademarks Grid Systems Corporation.
- MS-DOS and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft corporation.
-
-
- ###
-