Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!crdgw1!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!sdd.hp.com!wuarchive!udel!rochester!pt.cs.cmu.edu!o.gp.cs.cmu.edu!andrew.cmu.edu!mc4c+ From: mc4c+@andrew.cmu.edu (Mark Choi) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Re: Two New Computer Announcements - CeBIT Message-ID: Date: 28 Mar 91 22:52:50 GMT References: <1991Mar14.033302.10763@udcps3.cps.udayton.edu> <1991Mar17.095612.26923@ariel.unm.edu>, <2867@atari.UUCP> , <2885@atari.UUCP> Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA Lines: 84 In-Reply-To: <2885@atari.UUCP> > Excerpts from netnews.comp.sys.atari.st: 27-Mar-91 Re: Two New Computer > Announ.. T R Hall@atari.UUCP (3687) > If you look at the so-called competition (Intel-based machines) I think > you will find that the "note-book" sized units include EITHER a > floppy > or a hard disk, but not both. Since this machine was mosty > intended to > allow desktop-ATARI users to take specific data/applications > with them > on the road This is just not true. I have looked at the intel based notebooks, and they do usually have both. Oh well. I just disagree with the design concept here. To get ten hours of battery life by tossing out everything including the kitchen sink, is not "innovative power management" or however it was refered to in the news release. > Excerpts from netnews.comp.sys.atari.st: 27-Mar-91 Re: Two New Computer > Announ.. T R Hall@atari.UUCP (3687) > Look for high-density floppies, both in desktop machines and in an > external (probably battery-operated) floppy drive for the ST notebook > (or whatever its final name is). We may be slow, but we ain't > Blind/Dumb. Does this mean that the notebook floopy controller *WILL* support 1.44 meg drives? Also, if you are lookinig at a battery powered floppy, and batterylife was the problem with putting a floppy in the notebook, why not just add more batteries to the notebook? As for the last statement Atari employees like yourself seem to be terrific. But Atari the company. It *is* Blind/Dumb! And excruciatingly slow as well. > Excerpts from netnews.comp.sys.atari.st: 27-Mar-91 Re: Two New Computer > Announ.. T R Hall@atari.UUCP (3687) > Both the STPad and STBook have an "expansion" port that includes all > address and data lines, bus control lines, R/W and a number of ROM > select lines. ALL of the signals needed for the "cartridge port" are > present on "expansion port", so a conversion device need only consist > of two connectors, a PC-board, and a housing. I'm sure some > enterprising developer will make such available at a reasonable price. > Even better, maybe "cartridges" will be upgraded to take advantage of > new features. This, however, is great news, and cool as hell. I bet GBS *will* redesign the board, if the price point for the notebook is right. If so, and the Atari notebook (STacey feminine, my suggested name) will seel well as the first truely poratable mac, as well as a good PC, and Atari as well. Maybe then people would get interested ion software for native modes, as well as software for their emulations, and the software market for the ST would take off. > Excerpts from netnews.comp.sys.atari.st: 27-Mar-91 Re: Two New Computer > Announ.. T R Hall@atari.UUCP (3687) > Maybe we should take a vote: Should we let everybody add their 2 cents > to the design, increase the size of the machine, delay it a few months/ > years, increase the price, etc? :) :) :) :) :) 8) 8) 8) 8^) 8^) 8^) No, just listen to the market out there, and do what is necessary to sell to that market. If the machine needs a redesign to sell, then it does. If not, then... . I do not think that targeting it soley at the current Atari community is wise. We are small, getting smaller, and the number of ST people who will buy the notebook is even smaller. Granted we may all want to, but most bought the ST for price, and we are not monied enough to buy every new machine that comes out. Look at TT sales. If it takes a few months delay to allow you to sell 5 times the number of machines, it is worth it. If it took Atari years to add a floopy drive, something is wrong. Also, if you keep smiling that much, your jaw will fall off :^|. Lastly, as far as monitor support, you mention, as do others the carrying around of monitors is not likely. You miss the point. In the PC world, the VGA port is used to dock the machine to a desk setup, where the advantages of a desk setup, and its wall power, etc., and the advantages of CRT over LCD are most appreciated. I would not carry a monitor with me, but I would like to plug in a monitor at home. Also, If no monitor circuitry if provided, an RF circuit would do, adn draw less power. If power was the concern, then it could be made in such a way that the monitor circuitry operated off a seperate (external) power supply, and so that restriction is bypassed. Or a greyscale LCD could have been used for colour modes. In a world of VGA PC's EGA doesn't make it very well. Hopefully either an expansion board, or the Lexicor board will allow external monitor support. Only my $.04 worth, but I think it is important. -geisha-