Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!motcsd!king.csd.mot.com!brian From: brian@king.csd.mot.com Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds Subject: Re: NEC UltraLite from DAK at $699, Worth it? Message-ID: <3705@motcsd.csd.mot.com> Date: 20 Apr 91 16:57:02 GMT References: <25590137@hpcvra.cv.hp.com.> Sender: usenet@motcsd.csd.mot.com Lines: 49 lorenh@hpcvra.cv.hp.com. (Loren Heisey) writes: >>I just got the latest DAK catalog and it has the NEC UltraLite for $699. >>There are things that aren't spelled out (as far as I could tell) like >>the Microsoft Works included is not on a ROM card, so it must be on disk, >>but they don't give you a disk drive, it's $199 extra. >> >>Anyway, is the system worth it? They charge an additional $200 for the >>2Mb "Silicon Hard Disk" as they call it. Is that worth getting? >You might check out comp.sys.laptops. Some reviews of the machine were >posted there not too long ago. >Loren Heisey There is also a mailing list for Ultralite owners and potential owners. The reviews (and other stuff) have been included in the list. If you'd like to subscribe (and receive back issues), send a note to: ultralite-request@csd.mot.com To answer the questions: - Yes, the MS Works is a disked version. Both 5-1/4" and 3-1/2" disks are provided. The Ultralite comes with LapLink in ROM and a disked version for the other end, so if you have a PC, you can use it's floppy drive via LapLink to load the MS Works product. Or, as you mentioned, you can buy the external floppy drive. MS Works eats up a whole bunch of that 1MB silicon disk, however... - "Is the system worth it?" depends on what you want to do with it. I was looking for a notebook-sized computer for editing, remote terminal, e-mail, and personal organization stuff. The Ultralite with a 2MB disk, and configured with the MKS Toolkit for vi and ksh, a terminal emulator, uupc for e-mail, and Lotus Agenda on a ROM card for organization, seemed quite ideal to me. The price wasn't exceptional, but it wasn't bad either. - I'd recommend the extra 1MB of silicon disk, unless you plan to have all applications on ROM card (like if you get MS Works on a ROM card and use it for everything). 1MB is pretty tight. $200 for that extra 1MB is admittedly a bit hard to take, though. -- -Brian Smithson Motorola Inc., Computer Group, Commercial Systems Division 10700 N. De Anza Boulevard, Cupertino, CA 95014 USA, (408)366-4104 brian@csd.mot.com, {apple | pyramid}!motcsd!brian