Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!udel!ih
From: ih@udel.edu (Charlie Ih)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Tandon NB/386SX (was Dataworld laptop)
Keywords: dataworld tandon NB 386SX noteboook
Message-ID: <51856@nigel.ee.udel.edu>
Date: 25 Apr 91 15:03:57 GMT
References: <51658@nigel.ee.udel.edu> <17296@burdvax.PRC.Unisys.COM> <6964@awdprime.UUCP>
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In article <6964@awdprime.UUCP> mheyda@heyda.austin.ibm.com (Michael Heyda) writes:
>I have similar problems with the battery life not comming close to 3-4
>hours.  Also have the problem with low battery begining to beep.  As far
>as the price being comparable I wouldn't go that far.  The Dataworld,
>for only $2,695 is about $800 less than the Tandon (for the price
>difference you only get 10MB.

I was interested in 60 MB and Datawold could even deliver 40 MB when
I contacted them.  I figure if upgrade to 60 MB later the price would
be comparable.  Also they FAXed me a more detail spec sheet which
did not agree with what's advertised.  I was suspicious and could
not get more information from the saleman who did not seem to know anything.
I lost confident with them and switched to Tandon.


>About my only complaint is that the battery life is too short.  This
>however should be helped when I replace the 4MB I have in it now (4 1MB
>SIMMS -- 2 came with it and I have another 2 laying around but you can
>get then for $55 a peice) with a 4MB SIMM.  .....

Do you know how much current the 1MB and 4 MB SIMM draw?  Can you
simply substitute them?  I have not found spec of the SIMM yet
and would appreciate your help.

>.......
>then saw the Tandon.  Whats interesting about this is that Tandon sells
>a 2 slot expansion box for $300 and Dataworld sells a 3 slot for $700
>(thats one expensive slot --- $400!)  Tandon maintained that they made
>their own machine .........

I believe the Tandon expansion is also 3 slots.  I will find it out
when I get it.   They accepted my purchase order without question
and data sheet they sent to me also says 3 slots.

The machine I have has Phoenix Bio.  A new Tandon Bio is supposed to
solve the early Beep and other problems.  I hope this is true.
Both the machine and AC adapter say made in Taiwan.  So the expansion
box may well be compatible.