NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #1/NN_1993_1.iso/spool/comp/sys/laptops/4919

Text File | 1993-01-09 | 19.6 KB | 445 lines

Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Path: sparky!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!qt.cs.utexas.edu!yale.edu!ira.uka.de!Germany.EU.net!anl433!Iain.Lea
From: [e-mail]
Subject: SUMMARY: Best laptop/notebook for Unix
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Organization: ANL A433, Siemens AG., Germany.
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 BETA PL0]
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 20:46:04 GMT
Lines: 434

Back in Dec'92 in article <[e-mail]> I wrote:
:
: I need info. on the best notebook (or battery laptop) to run one of the
: PD Unix's (Linux / BSD) or SVR4.
:
: Basic config. required being:
:
:   486 CPU
:   4-16MB Ram
:   >120MB Disk (~12-15ms) (>200 really prefered)
:   High res display (SVGA?) with monitor jack for external
:   Good battery life
:   Good price

For the really impatient among you the short answer (and one I will probably
settle on) is the Texas Instruments Travelmate 4000 486/25-200MB.

Thanx to the following people for replying:
  [e-mail] (Harry L. H. Kwa)
  [e-mail] (Stuart Stanley)
  [e-mail] (Sergio Luis Aponte Morales)
  [e-mail] (Carl Quillen)
  [e-mail] (David Fox)

The following lightly edited Email & News messages are the replies I received:

--
From: [e-mail] (David Fox)

Make          Model                 486    Max  Max Wgt  Size TxWxD   Batt Trac
                                    CPU    RAM  HD  lbs  in inches    Life Ball
-----         -----                 ------ ---- --- ---  ------------ ---- ----
Acma          486/33 Exec Note      DX/33   20  120 5.8  1.7x11.0x8.5
Altima        433                   DX/33   20  120 5.7  1.6x11.0x8.5  2.5  y
Amax          486DX Power LIte      DX/33   20  120 5.8  1.7x11.0x8.5  2
Amrel         MLT486DXU-50          DX/50   16  200 7    2.3x11.5x8.5       y
Aspen         Aquiline NT 450       DX2/50  16  240 7.9  2.0x11.0x8.5  3
Compudyne     Notebook              DX/33   20  130 5.5  1.6x11.0x8.5       y
Dataworld     NB425DX               DXL/25  20   80 6.8  1.7x11.0x8.5  2.5  y
Gateway 2000  Nomad 425DXL          DXL/25      120 5.6  1.8x11.0x8.5
Micro Express NB 486DX/33           DX/33    8  120                         y
Notebook      486/T50               DX2/50  10  120 5    1.4x11.0x8.5
Tandy         4860 HD               DX/33   20   60 6    1.7x11.0x8.7  2.5
TI            TravelMate 4000       DX2/50  20  200 5.6  1.8x11.0x8.5       y
Twinhead      SlimNote 486DX/33-130 DX/33   20  130 5.8  1.7x11.0x8.5  2.3

--
From: [e-mail] (Harry L. H. Kwa)

Here are the specs you wanted.  While I've made every attempt to ensure
that the information is accurate, I'd suggest you confirm things with
either Texas Instruments or the retailer should you ultimately decide to
buy this particular machine.

Texas Instruments TravelMate 4000 WinDX2/50MHz
----------------------------------------------

o  8M RAM Std (20M Max)
o  200M HDD
o  1.44M FDD
o  10" 640X480X64 sidelit super triple twist LCD with 1M Video RAM
o  1 external monitor interface for simultaneous display at either:
   +  640 X 480 X 256
   +  800 X 600 X 256
   +  1,024 X 768 X 16
o  1 external numeric keypad interface
o  1 PS/2 connector for mouse/keyboard
o  1 Microsoft Trackball
o  1 serial port
o  1 parallel port
o  1 expansion bus for optional:
o  Expansion capabilitities:
   +  Ethernet adaptor
   +  Token ring adaptor
   +  SCSI adaptor
   +  Expansion station
o  Power requirements:
   +  Voltage: 100-240 Vac
   +  Frequency: 50-60 Hz
o  Battery:
   +  Type: NiCad
   +  Life: 3 to 5 hours
o  Environment:            Operating               Non-Operating
   +  Temp:           10 to 35 degrees C       -20 to 51 degrees C
   +  Shock:                  5 G                      60 G
   +  Vibration:      0.5 G peak, 5-400 Hz      5 G peak, 5-400 Hz
o  Dimensions: 8.5" X 11" X 1.8"
o  Weight: 5.6 lbs

I don't have the names of any stores on the US West Coast that might sell
this machine.  If, however, you have a US address, you might like to go
with a mail order company.  I have found that their prices tend to be
lower and that they offer as good (or in the case of the mail order
company I bought my TM 4000 DX25 from, BETTER) service than a
a traditional retail outlet.

The name of the mail order company I dealt with is PCs Compleat, and they
can be reached at 1-800-669-4727 in North America or [phone]
from overseas.  The sales rep I spoke with quoted me a price of US$3,399
for the WinDX2.  Her name is Patty, and she can be reached at extension
4058.

PCs Compleat has a 30-day money back guarantee and they do ship outside
the US.  I'm in Canada and my machine only took 3-days to arrive.

--
From: [e-mail] (Stuart Stanley)

A system that I just picked from a mail order company called "MDI" included:
33mhz 486dx
16meg mem (maxed out)
245 meg HD
Standard VGA (16color gray, pretty cheesy overall)
2 serial, 1 parrel, video, keyboard connectors
2 hours battary life
Docking bay
Price: $3500

This was the only machine that I could find that had a HD bigger than
120.  The downfall is the display, which is usuable, but not up to
current technology by any means.

--
From: [e-mail] (Sergio Luis Aponte Morales)

First, If they ask, this prices are advertised in the Computer Currents
news magazine for Dec 15, 1992. Also, you can "deal" a little, they
might throw in software, etc...

Company: ComQuest is at 23 Great Oaks Blvd., San Jose, Ca 95119
Phone  : [phone]  Fax : [phone]
Free   : [phone]

  486DX-33Mhz    4Mb Ram        120Mb HD    $2,195
  486DX-33Mhz    16Mb Ram    120Mb HD    $2,495
  486DX2-50Mhz   16Mb Ram    120Mb HD    $2,695

Company: Computown is at 760 Market street 2nd floor
         San Francisco [phone]
  and
         2444-A Old Middlefield Way
         Mountain View [phone]
  and
         1525 Contra Costa Blvd.
         Pleasant Hill [phone]
and
         372 South Abbot Ave.
         Milpitas      [phone]

  TI 486SX/25  4Mb Ram  120Mb HD  $2,499

  ?? 486DX/33  4Mb Ram  120Mb HD  $2,750

Company: Computer Source is at 1610 University Ave.,
         Berkeley, Ca 94703
Phone  : [phone]   Fax : [phone]

They also have stores in Sacramento and Stockton

It looked like one of the best. Stores with FAX are good because you can
get in writing exactly what you get with the system.

  - Intel CPU
  - 4Mb Ram (expandible to 16Mb)
  - 3.5 1.44 FD
  - 2 serial, 1 parallel
  - external keyboard port
  - Liquid Crystal VGA 32 Gray scale Display
  - 2 hour quick charging time
  - programmable screen saver

  386DX-33   4Mb Ram   80Mb HD  $1,795
  486DX-25   4Mb Ram  120Mb HD  $1,895
  486DX-33   4Mb Ram  120Mb HD  $2,245
  486DX2-50  4Mb Ram  120Mb HD  $2,465 <== !!

--
From: [e-mail] (Carl Quillen)

A couple months ago I went out and bought a Compudyne
486DX/33 notebook.  It is now running Linux 98.5, with essentially no
problems.  I tried out 386BSD and it worked as well, although you need
to hit keys while it is booting in order for the keyboard to be
activated.

Let me start of by summarizing what I know about 486DX machines in the
U.S. Market.  There seem to be about 4 major players here.  One is
Texas Instruments---they make a machine that is also sold by Gateway
2000.  It has good reviews in the trade press, but one major problem
seems to be that the case of the machine is not very sturdy.  The LCD
flip lid is apparently very flexible, leading to worries that with a
little abuse, it might shatter the glass LCD.  This was my major reason
for deciding against this machine.

Another is Toshiba.  I imagine it's very expensive.  I didn't make any
effort to evaluate it.

The other two players in this market seem to be Taiwanese manufacturers
who OEM for a number of brand labels in the US.  This I can surmise by
the fact that the pictures of the machines are exactly the same, and
the feature descriptions are identical.  One of the Taiwanese clones
seems to be the Compudyne / Altima / Twinhead "Slimnote" notebook.
It's A 5.7 lb (2.6 kg) machine with a nice CCFT 10" display, and a
keyboard that many people find slightly objectionable.  Compudyne sells
it with an internal PS/2 trackball, which I was able to get working
under linux with the help of a couple posted patches.  The other brands
supply the trackball as an option.  The disk drive used also depends
upon the manufacturer: my guess is that any 2.5" drive will do.
Compudyne uses a 130 (decimal) Megabyte Toshiba drive, with 19ms
access.  I bought this machine for $2800, with 4 megabytes of ram.
Oh:  on this particular machine, you only have the 8k internal
processor cache.  The VGA display is a Cirrus Logic GD6410 driven CCFT
paper white LCD display.  It's pretty good: fast, so under X so you can
move the cursor around and see it, and it has good contrast.  It does
have a tendency to produce vertical streaks.  Additional memory costs
$200 for a 4M module.  You also have the option of adding a 16M memory
module using 16M chips.  This is probably expensive.  In my experience,
Battery life is 2.5--3 hours.  An additional Ni-Cd battery is $70.  The
external battery charger is expensive, however.  Recharge time is
supposed to be an hour, and this seems to be about right.  I'm very
happy with my Compudyne.

The Compudyne machine got many good reviews in the trade mags.  Another
plus is that you can play with the machine in retail branches of the
CompUSA computer store, which is present in many U.S. cities.

The other Taiwanese manufacturer makes a heavier machine (8.5--9 lbs)
for a cheaper price $2100--2200.  It uses standard 3.5" internal
drives, so many different storage options are possible.  By and large,
this machine is being OEM'ed to small mom & pop computer outlets, and
doesn't look like it's been reviewed much in the trade press.  This
leads me to suspect that the review process is probably a quid-quo-pro
deal with the magazines being bribed somewhat by the sellers.  So I
don't really have any idea as to the quality of the machine: it could
be quite good.  Some variations of the machine seem to have an external
32k cache (maybe more).  Some sellers (mail order):  Santron, BSI systems,
Midern Computer, Royal Computer, Imperial Computer, etc, etc, etc.  I've
heard on the net that this machine runs 386bsd.

There may be a few other manufacturers on the market as well, but I
have even fewer sources of information about them.  Mitsuba seems to
make a 486.  Somebody else is also making a 486DX2/50.  I wonder how
they manage to cool it.  Somebody else has a color 486, I think.

--
From: [e-mail] (Carl Quillen)

I just dialed into Compuserve and looked at the current pricing
information on 486 notebooks.  Here's the list:

   Manufacturer Model   MHz HDr Mntr RAM Dealer        Price
-------------------------------------------------------------
 1 Texas Instr. WinDX/25 25 120 VGAM 4MB S & W Computer 2655
 2 Texas Instr. WinDX/25 25 120 VGAM 4MB United Comp   $2799
 3 SunRace      486DLC   25 130 VGAM 4MB ARM Computer  $2195
 4 Texas Instr. WinDX/25 25 200 VGAM 4MB S & W Computer 2910
 5 Toshiba      4400C    25 200 VGA  4MB Unitek        $4275
 6 Ace Computer 486-33   33 120 VGAM 4MB PC Depot, Inc. 2130
 7 Altima       433      33 120 VGAM 4MB United Comp   $2588
 8 Altima       433      33 120 VGAM 4MB Action Comp   $3099
 9 Twinhead     486DX/33 33 120 VGAM 4MB United Comp   $2599
10 Twinhead     486DX/33 33 130 VGAM 4MB ARM Computer  $2595
11 Toshiba      6400DX   33 200 VGAM 4MB Insight Comp  $5149

Just to supply you with more extraneous information than you could
ever make use of, I'll give you the related info for the entries
1, 7, 8, & 10 above.  Note that if you actually try and order something
from these people, you should tell them you saw the price in
PC-Catalog on Compuserve.  It's some type of advertising scam.
These prices are not too far from the going rate however.

1) S & W Computer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECS: 486DX/25MHz CPU.  1.44MB FDD, 120MB/19ms HD.  4MB RAM expandable to
20MB.
10" sidelit triple supertwist paperwhite VGA LCD.  1S/1P/1 mouse port.
Includes DOS & Windows, 79-key keyboard, 5-hour battery, weighs 6 lbs..

DEALER: S & W Computers, 31 W 21st St., New York, NY 10010.
 FAX: [phone].  TO ORDER CALL: [phone] or in NY: [phone].

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS: 10 years of consistently providing the LOWEST PRICES
IN THE NATION have made us one of the most highly recognized discounters
in the industry.  If your main priority is BEST PRICE, your search is over!
We carry IBM, Compaq, AST, Toshiba, ALR, HP, NEC, Maxtor, Seagate, Panasonic,
and MANY more, at incredible prices!

PAYMENTS: VISA/MC/Discover (NO SURCHARGE), or C.O.D. (with deposit).
We operate on slim margins, and prices do fluctuate, so please confirm price
when calling.

RETURNS: All returns require prior written authorization. You must call for
approval before returning any item.  A restocking fee applies to all returned
products.  Please ask about return policies when placing your order.

SHIPPING/HANDLING: Shipping and handling charges are not included in prices
shown, call for freight on items being purchased.  Please confirm product
availability and exact shipping date when ordering.  Handling minimum of $7.50
is added to all prices.  International orders welcome.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT: We have over 10 years of experience in direct sales of PCs &
peripherals.  All products carry full manufacturers' warranties & support.  We
have an expert staff, we care about our customers, and we provide the best
support we can.  Our strong point is BEST PRICE.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) UNITED COMPUTER EXPRESS

SPECS: 486DX/33MHz notebook.  1.44MB FDD, 120MB HDD, 4MB RAM with 8K cache.
11"x8.5"x1.6", weighs only 5.71 lbs. with battery!  Has 64 gray scale monochrome
VGA backlit display.  True 486DX power for the most demanding user.

DEALER: United Computer Express, 724 7th Ave., New York, NY  10019.  M-Sun 9-9.
24-hour FAX ORDER: [phone]. TO ORDER CALL: [phone], in NY:
[phone].

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS: HUGE inventory and HUGE savings! Quality brand names at
rock-bottom prices!  Largest selection of notebooks, laptops & desktops.  Novell
Gold Authorized.  Overnight delivery guaranteed. International department
guaranteed quotations within 2 to 4 hours. Always the highest quality & lowest
prices in the nation!

PAYMENTS: VISA/MC/AMEX/Diner's/Discover, cash, cashier's check, money order,
C.O.D., or govt./univ./corp. 1000 P.O..  Volume orders & int'l/dealer inquiries
welcome.
RETURNS: Returns require original package, documentation, & blank warranty card.
Returns/exchanges may be made within 7 days of receipt, after prior customer
service authorization.  5% restocking fee. S/H non-refundable.

SHIPPING/HANDLING: Most orders shipped same-day.  All forms of shipping
available.  UPS, Federal Express, DHL, Airborne Express, worldwide shipping,
overnight and second-day service available.  Overnight delivery guaranteed.
International orders accepted.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Full manufacturer's warranties apply to all products sold.
Fast and reliable customer service at [phone].  Free technical support at
[phone]. Our professional sales staff will help guarantee the perfect
solution for all your computing needs!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) ACTION COMPUTER SUPPLIES

SPECS: 486/33 Mhz DX notebook computer.  Small dimensions of 11"x8.5"x1.6" and
only weighs 5.71 lbs., including battery.  Has 64 gray level VGA compatible
backlit display.  ORDER TODAY 1-800-544-4252.

DEALER: Action Computer Supplies, 6100 Stewart Ave., Fremont, CA  94538.  M-F
6-5 PST.  FAX: [phone]. TO ORDER CALL: [phone] or [phone].

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS: Action sells NAME BRAND computer supplies, furniture,
software, & hardware at LOW, LOW PRICES.  Call for a FREE 380-page catalog.  We
offer special pricing based on the total dollar value of your order - ask us
about it.  ACTION IS YOUR CATALOG  SUPER STORE - toll-free ordering, quick
shipment & low prices.

PAYMENTS: VISA/MasterCard (no surcharge), check, cash, C.O.D., or money order.
Open credit terms are available to qualified and approved companies and
individuals.

RETURNS: Any return requires a Return Material Authorization number.  Software

may only be exchanged for the same product and only if it is defective.
Hardware must be in original condition with all packaging.

SHIPPING/HANDLING: Most items shipped via UPS without a handling charge.  Some
furniture is drop shipped FOB the manufacturer.  Shipping charges billed to the
customer. Overnight shipment available on request.  Orders placed by 2pm PST
ship same day.  International orders accepted.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT: If goods are found to be defective with respect to materials
or workmanship within 30 days of delivery, Action will, at its option, replace
the goods or refund the purchase price.  FREE tech support at [phone].
Prices subject to change without notice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) ARM COMPUTER

SPECS: 1.44MB floppy drive, 130MB hard drive,  2S/1P/1 external VGA/1 keyboard
port!  10" 64-gray shade monochrome VGA display, full sized AT style keyboard,
DOS 5.0.  Includes 4MB RAM, weighs 5.8 lbs..

DEALER: ARM Computer, 780 Montague Expressway #707, San Jose, CA  95131.  M-F
8-6:30 PST (24 hour message). TO ORDER:[phone],[phone].
FAX:[phone].

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS: ARM Computer is a wholesale distributor of many kinds of
laptops and notebooks.  We also manufacture quality microcomputers, custom
designed to fit your needs.  ARM can guarantee the lowest prices and best
support.  Contact Mike at [phone] for prices and additional discounts.
Many options available.

PAYMENTS: VISA/MC (no surcharge), cash, C.O.D., money order, or
univ./govt./educ./Fortune 500 P.O..  Prices are subject to change without
notice.

RETURNS: RMA# is required for all returns.  Call us for other details.

SHIPPING/HANDLING: We ship Federal Express 2nd-day or next-day service.  UPS
ground service is also available. Place your orders by 4pm PST for same-day
shipping. International orders accepted.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT: ARM offers manufacturer's one-year warranty.  We also provide
free lifetime technical support from Mon-Fri 9am-7pm PST at [phone].

===========================================================================
I'm sure you know that (800) XXX-XXXX numbers are freephone numbers &
not available outside the continental U.S.  Use the other telephone
numbers if you are dialing internationally.

Note that the Texas Instruments 486 machine is also available from
Gateway 2000: [phone], [phone], [phone] FAX.  I think
they want $3000 for their "Nomad 425DXL".

--
From: [e-mail] (Carl Quillen)

Hello again Iain.  Yes, linux 0.99 pl 1 runs fine on my Compudyne.
I had a mail message from someone using an Altima machine (equivalent
up to BIOS).  They had some trouble booting from the hard drive,
and were booting from floppy.  Could have been a setup problem.

A docking station and internal 2400 bps FAX modem are available.  I
don't know the price, but I can find out for you.  I would guess
$300--$400 for the docking station, and $200 for the modem.  Personally,
I would advise buying an external 9600 bps modem.

I don't run DOS, so I haven't tried an external monitor.  Currently,
as far as I know, Linux doesn't understand the Cirrus SVGA well enough
to turn on the external monitor.  I can boot MSDOG and try it, if it's
important to you.  But it will take a few days.

Iain

--
NAMES  Iain Lea    [e-mail]
SNAIL  Siemens AG, ANL A433SZ, Gruendlacher Str. 248, 8510 Fuerth, Germany.
PHONE  [phone] (work) [phone] (home) [phone] (FAX)