Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!wuarchive!emory!emcard!stiatl!mnopltd!neal
From: neal@mnopltd.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Packard Bell 286
Message-ID: <107@mnopltd.UUCP>
Date: 24 Aug 90 16:57:04 GMT
Reply-To: gatech!stiatl!mnopltd!neal
Organization: MNOP Ltd., Atlanta, Ga.
Lines: 29
Distribution:


->I saw a Packard Bell 286xxx (I don't remember what the x's were) at a
->local  A/V superstore.  It's a 286 with 1mb ram, 20mb hard disk, and
->backlit display.  It felt heavy, maybe 15 lbs?  But the price was
->$1499.  Anyone know anything about this system?  I'll summarize any

I have a PB286lp, which is actually a Mitsuba ?????.   Used it for about 
six months now.   It was (and maybe still is) about the least expensive 
fast 286 around.    Only drawbacks I found are:
	- Screen is either CGA or Hercules.   If you pick hercules, you
	lose end of the screen.  (748 - 640 pixels)  This did not affect
	any software I was using, so I don't mind.
	- Actual battery life is long; about 3 hours.  HOWEVER, the damn
	thing starts beeping after about 1.5 hours.

BTW, you can stuff 4 regular simms in it to get either 2mb or 5mb.

When I bought it, it was around $2K, and everything else was $3K.  ( I 
refuse to spend more than $2K on ANY equipment that gets schlepped around
a lot. )   If I had the same choice TODAY, I would get something that
has the EGA screen and spend the extra $500 as opposed to the wierd screen
and $1.5K.  But this stuff gets cheaper every month, and portables only
last so long before something gives out...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neal Rhodes                       MNOP Ltd                     (404)- 972-5430
President                Lilburn (atlanta) GA 30247             Fax:  978-4741
                             emory!mnopltd!neal 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------