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- Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
- Path: sparky!uunet!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!rpi!batcomputer!munnari.oz.au!uniwa!cujo!ken
- From: ken@cujo.curtin.edu.au (Ken Taylor)
- Subject: Re: PowerBooks - 210 v. 160 as Midrange champ
- Message-ID: <1992Nov5.084942.20166@cujo.curtin.edu.au>
- Organization: Curtin University of Technology
- X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
- References: <1992Nov3.023321.27723@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
- Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 08:49:42 GMT
- Lines: 67
-
- 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
-