Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!rice!uw-beaver!milton!fetrow From: fetrow@milton.acs.washington.edu (David Fetrow) Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops Subject: Re: Atari Portfolio Message-ID: <1374@milton.acs.washington.edu> Date: 13 Jan 90 05:23:52 GMT References: Reply-To: fetrow@milton.acs.washington.edu (David Fetrow) Organization: University of Washington, Seattle Lines: 72 In article jjoshua@topaz.rutgers.edu (Jon Joshua) writes: > >Anyone out there have an Atari Portfolio? What do you like/dislike? >What kind of hardware/software would you like to see. > Summary: I've found suprisingly useful as a DOS machine and somewhat unuseful as a personal diary-style computer. It's smaller and slightly heavier than a VHS videotape and lists at $399. With moderate use the batteries lasted me around 3 weeks (3 AA Alkalines). The operating system is DOS compatable but not actually MS-DOS. The small amount of memory sans RAMcard (128K for 'disk' and workspace) is a nonissue if you need only a small utility or two on the road. Since it comes with a reasonable: Diary Setup program (How to handle the small screen options, how to divide up 128K) Screen editor Lotus 1-2-3 subset (!) Calculator LapLink(tm)-Like program (but not as good) ....in ROM already you may not need much else! DOS compatability is pretty good (I'd say 'excellent' except I haven't had it) (all that long yet), the screen is readable in decent light, the keyboard is useable and well layed out but touch-typing isn't possible with hands my size (I use about 3 fingers and one thumb on the Atari). Note that to make the most of the memory TSR versions of utilities might be a good idea; I haven't tried that yet. Serial and Parallel ports are extra cost and make it longer. The connector is tiny but seems pretty decent and is well protected. It is sturdely constructed (not quite HP class) but dust can get in unless you have a RAM card filling the hole in the side. (Rather expensive battery- backed RAM cards take the place of floppies. They are quite fast however) Downside as a personal Diary-style computer: Like most of them you have to open it to read the screen when an alarm goes off. This is annoying to me after using the Psion Organizer. The Alarm is the big downer though....it is far too quiet when the machine is closed and in a pocket to hear. To be frank; I bought the Atari because it was too cool to pass up. I realize this isn't all that "valid" a reason but it's FUN! In any case if my hearing hadn't been damaged from too much time around mainframes and I had to pick just one laptop to carry (for under $700) this would probably be it. (Note: My perspective is a guy who uses a whole pile of sometimes quirky machines. Mostly I use my laptops as terminals or to run home-grown software under 64K. Someone who wants to program in C or run a fullblown wordprocessor on their laptop should look elsewhere) If you expanded it out to something like the Poquet you'd have something rather larger and in the same ballpark costwise so it might not be a great choice if that's your plan. Future models will no dount have more built-in RAM. Note to programmers: If you miss tight assembly coding this may be the machine to write for! Small useful software tools (especially if it has a TSR option) would be appreciated among folks owning these machines (also the Poquet and Floppy-only laptop owners). Disclaimer: These are just my opinions not UW gospel or anything. I don't own the serial port or a RAM card yet. -- -dave fetrow- fetrow@bones.biostat.washington.edu dfetrow@uwalocke (bitnet) {uunet}!uw-beaver!uw-entropy!fetrow "CP/M: Remember when fast, small, useful and clean were good?"