Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!decwrl!nsc!pyramid!infmx!aland
From: aland@infmx.UUCP (Colonel Panic)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Bondwell 286 laptop from DAK Industries
Summary: FINALLY!
Message-ID: <4958@infmx.UUCP>
Date: 4 Aug 90 08:11:41 GMT
Reply-To: aland@infmx.UUCP (alan denney)
Distribution: na
Organization: INFORMIX 1990 World Tour Roadies
Lines: 32

Well, guess what -- it finally arrived!  two months later...
and, I'm still waiting for the case for an indeterminate period...
I'm using it right now, dialed up from a hotel.

So far, I'm fairly impressed -- it's on the high side of what I
expected.  The screen is marginal, though better than a T1000, but
it's livable.  When you consider that it's similar in features 
(except for screen quality) to a T1200XE but half the price, it's 
not bad at all.

Unless my memory is completely shot, there are obvious firmware 
differences between the DAK B310 and the regular model.  There
are far more diagnostic messages upon powerup, which makes me think
that maybe this is a B310 Plus with a 310 screen.  If so, perhaps
the 310 Plus screen is plug-compatible and at some point I could replace
the installed screen with the backlit one.

One other thing that really annoyed me about DAK was that the "pocket
modem" that they advertised alongside the unit DOESN'T FIT IT right
out of the box -- it's a DB25 connector, whereas both serial ports
are DB9s.  Trying to find an adapter in Seattle is no fun at all...

On that subject: I'm still looking for recommendations for pocket
modems, preferably 2400 baud (MNP5 a plus), line powered, DB9 
connector, etc.  If I can find a decent one, I'll send this one back.


--
Alan Denney # Informix # aland@informix.com # {pyramid|uunet}!infmx!aland

 "The driver says, 'One more cup of coffee and I'll be all right...'
  'Pop a Bennie, another Bennie'..."             - The Bobs, "Bus Plunge"