Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cwjcc!alpha.ces.cwru.edu!pjd
From: pjd@alpha.ces.cwru.edu (dr. funk)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Note takers
Message-ID: <880@cwjcc.CWRU.Edu>
Date: 9 Nov 89 18:22:41 GMT
Sender: news@cwjcc.CWRU.Edu
Reply-To: pjd@alpha.ces.cwru.edu (dr. funk)
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Organization: digital systems research group/CWRU
Lines: 34


I am evaluating several alternatives for a "notebook" size
machine primarily for notetaking at meetings, etc. The
Atari Portfolio looks interesting and was fun to play with.
The other major contender is the Radio Shack (!) WP-2 word
processor. Here's just a few observations...

 I would have bought the Portfolio on the spot IF the built-in
 software supported file transfer via the serial port. It does
 not and as a Mac user (no parallel port on an SE!) this will
 create a pain in the neck. I want a simple, direct transfer
 capability. The keyboard is not bad for a two finger typist
 (which I am), but forget touch typing. Finally, the RAM cards
 are Mitsubishi (sic) format and are available elsewhere albeit
 in small quantities.

 The WP-2 is not in the stores yet, but "any day now." Although
 this is a larger format machine, the keyboard is full size with
 certain keys in the right places and an 8 line by 80 column
 display. It will include a word processor, calendar, etc. but
 no spreadsheet. It will also have a RAM/ROM card capability.
 RS-232 and parallel port will be built-in. 32Kb is built-in
 with a 32Kb expansion option for $50. (Cheesh! Let's find out
 what chip and skip this crapola.)

A recent article in the Tandy rag (PCM ?) states that the WP-2
is Z-80 based (5 MHz) and will be able to execute programs from
RAM/ROM card. (Anybody got any old Z-80 code laying around?)

The machine appeared in a sales flyer here at a sale price of $300.
Not bad, but I seem to be suffering from a case of the "vapours."

paul j. drongowski               usenet: {decvax,sun,att}!cwjcc!pjd!pjd
case western reserve university  csnet:  pjd@alpha.ces.cwru.edu