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From: session@uncw.UUCP (Zack C. Sessions)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: asking recommendations on laptop/notebook purchase
Keywords: laptop, notebook, purchase, advice
Message-ID: <1079@uncw.UUCP>
Date: 15 Mar 91 01:16:34 GMT
References: <1991Mar13.180205.6461@cs.ruu.nl> <1991Mar13.183006.7133@cs.ruu.nl>
Organization: Univ. of North Carolina at Wilmington
Lines: 104

hnridder@cs.ruu.nl (Ernst de Ridder) writes:

>In <1991Mar13.180205.6461@cs.ruu.nl> hnridder@cs.ruu.nl (Ernst de Ridder) writes:

Before we begin, let me first state that I am keying this in on
my Tandy 1100FD. What follows is Ernst's wish list for a laptop.
I will indicate the actual value for the 1100FD.

>I forgot something in my wish list (which is below again): I don't want a
>hard disk.  It makes things bigger, heavier, more vulnarable and more
>expensive.

1100FD -> doesn't have one, and I don't know of any way to put one
on it.

>I'm planning to buy a laptop or notebook, but after speaking about it
>with several friends, I'm going to believe that my wish list is a bit
>odd.  I will mainly use it for wordprocessing.  Wanted features are:

>- really portable.  Weight max. about 3 kg, preferably less.

1100FD weighs in at 6.41 lbs. Whoops, heavier than you want! But
to me it is very light!

>- size about a sheet (A4) of paper.  A *bit* bigger doesn't matter.

1100FD dimensions are 12 5/32" x 2 7/16" x 9 13/16" (closed)

>- It must be able to run for at least 4 hrs. before needing a recharge.

1100FD battery advertised to go for up to 5 hours, but I have found
that a lot of disk IO will drain it pretty fast.

>- 80x25 good readable text screen.  Graphics are not necessary,
>  although I don't think there are portables which can handle only
>  text.

80x25 CGA Monochromoe graphics, very easy to read and see screen.

>- Keys may not be too small; my fingers are rather big.

Keyboard is very comfortable, keys in typewriter section are essentially
full size.

>- Function/cursor keys may be placed anywhere, but the main keyboard
>  must be normal qwerty.

No problem there.

>- PC compatible

Got it!

>- speed comparable to 8 Mhz 8088, or faster

8MHz V20 processor

>- at least 512 kb RAM available for applications.

1100FD comes standard with 640K.

>- at least ~700 kb permanent storage: disk, flash ram, or whatever
>  the call it.

1100FD has a builtin 720K 3.5" floppy drive.

>- if the permanent storage isn't in the form of a standard (5.25/3.5)
>  DD/HD diskdrive, then I need a serial port.  Else it is welcome but
>  not necessary.

Whether you need them or not, it has a built in com port with a
DB9 connector, and a parallel printer port. An optional internal
modem is also available.

>- robust.  I don't want it to be squeezed between the doors of a
>  train.

The plastic case appears to be pretty strong, plus a nice carrying
case can help protect your laptop during transport as well.

The 1100FD also comes with MS-DOS built into ROM, which means 
instant on and very fast boot. It also has the Deskmate user
interface software in ROM as well as the Deskmate word processing
software, Text, the Deskmate Spelling Checker (WITH it's word
library) ALL also built into ROM. So you could actual power up your
1100FD, edit a document, and spell check it without even having
to access your disk! All the other standard Deskmate options
come on floppy disk, along with a full MS-DOS disk.

I have used MS-Kermit and Proc-Comm V2.4.2 with it. I have used
teh Power C compiler with it with no problem. I'm sold on this little
jewel. Retail price is $799, but I got mine last Christmas when they
were only $699 (plus I got an additional 12% off with a special
discount).

>Any suggestions?

Yup! The Tandy 1100FD.

>	Thanks in advance,
>		Ernst de Ridder

Zack Sessions
session@uncw.UUCP