Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!hsdndev!cmcl2!panix!schuster
From: schuster@panix.uucp (Michael Schuster)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Review of Panasonic CF-150B (Long)
Message-ID: <1991Apr3.232854.19793@panix.uucp>
Date: 3 Apr 91 23:28:54 GMT
References: <3398@ucsfcca.ucsf.edu>
Organization: PANIX - Public Access Unix Systems of NY
Lines: 33

I bought the CF150B primarily as a portable terminal to access BBS systems
and pay services. For that purpose I find it quite acceptable. also, havinh
a friend who works for Panasonic who got me the technical manuals and RAM
card helped sweeten the deal. I added a Radio Shaft internal modem for the
1400FD because they're the same computer anyway, and the modem was on sale.

I ended up using the RAM card as a 1 MB battery-backed ram disk. It will
hold its contents for at least a week if left unused. But the RAM and the
modem SEVERELY limit both the shelf life of the charged battery and the
useful life of a fully-charged battery. But if you keep it plugged in all
the time ...

You mentioned the parallel port. I can tell you from the service manual that
only the first and last ground lines are connected; this makes SCSI adaptors,
EPROM programmers and the like unuseable unless you open the thing up and
bridge the other 13 pins. Having done that, I have a friend who uses the
Tandy variant and a parallel-port EPROM programmer to service elevator
microprocessors. So bidirectional use is possible if you doctor the parallel
port pins (either internally or using an external breakout box).

If there are any specifics you need about ports, etc. I can look them up for
you. The manuals you want are:

	CF150/150B Technical guide   order# CPD9006455T0
        CF150/150B Service manual    order# CPD9002434C1

						regards -- mike


-- 
 Mike Schuster                                      |    CIS: 70346,1745
 NY Public Access UNIX:  ...cmcl2!panix!schuster    |    MCI Mail, GENIE:
 The Portal (R) System:  schuster@cup.portal.com    |           MSCHUSTER