Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!att!emory!wuarchive!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!apple!olivea!oliveb!amdahl!JUTS!jdg00
From: jdg00@ccc.amdahl.com (Josh Grosse)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Sharp PC6220
Message-ID: <28C902nq037c01@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com>
Date: 29 Oct 90 22:49:52 GMT
References: <4429@gara.une.oz.au>
Reply-To: jdg00@amail.amdahl.com (Josh Grosse)
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA
Lines: 70

In article <4429@gara.une.oz.au> rjacobs@gara.une.oz.au ( ABRI) writes:

>I'd like to know how much Ram comes standard and how much can be added.

I have a brochure from Texas Instruments who make the TravelMate 2000,
which I assume is the same notebook computer in a different case.  It
states 1MB RAM standard, "User expandable to 3MB in 1MB increments."
I hope that means that end-users can install it themselves.

>What are the keyboard and screen like?

"Full function 79-key keyboard, Embedded numeric keypad, Cursor Control
keys (inverted T) 12 function keys (using the Fn key), Special Set-up
key, Real-time palette selection."

>What ports are fitted?

"Serial (RS-232-C) 9-pin port, Parallel (Centronics) interface with
adapter, Numeric keypad connector, Expansion bus (for expansion station
or 3.5-inch FDD), CRT monitor interface (optional)."

The October PC Magazine article states "A separate port is available if
you prefer to attach an external keyboard."  Nothing in the brochure
states this.

>What battery does it require and what is the life of the battery?

From reading the detailed article in the October PC Magazine article,
it appears that there is a two-hour battery included.  The weight (4.4
lbs.) states "including battery" in both the article and the brochure.
The article describes an internal battery and an optional clip-on for a
total of 5 hours of power.

>Is there a modem slot?

There is an optional "2400 bps, V.22 bis Hayes (R) compatible modem with
send fax capability and MNP (R) Class 5 error-checking protocol."  I am
unable to ascertain whether or not it is internal.

>Any general opionions welcomed.

I am trying to arrange to get one of these for evaluation for my
department.  As far as I can tell, this is the first notebook PC that
will take standard AT or XT cards in its expansion box.  This is a
requirement for telecommunications when at the office.  The 20Mb disk
is somewhat limiting.. *IF* an additional disk device can be slotted
in the expansion box that would be great!  The brochure from TI has a
sticker over the Expansion Box information which reads:

    "THE EXPANSION STATION FOR THE TM2000 HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY
     THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AT THIS TIME.  IT WILL
     NOT, AND MAY NOT, BE OFFERED FOR SALE OR LEASE, OR SOLD OR
     LEASED, UNTIL THE APPROVAL OF THE FCC HAS BEEN OBTAINED."

It is my expectation that as soon as that happens (it may have happened
already) the specification for the expansion features may be obtainable
from TI.

I want to get an evaluation unit because of our experience with the
Zenith 286 laptop expansion box.  There are a number of operating
limitations that may restrict the use of some cards or some software
that relies on certain hardware, as the expansion bus is not a full
function XT bus.  Therefore, we need to see if the problems we had
with the Zenith units also occur on the TI/Sharp unit...and if there
are circumventions possible...just like on the Zeniths.
-- 
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Josh Grosse                                jdg00@amail.amdahl.com
Amdahl Corp.                               313-358-4440
Southfield, Michigan