Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!sdd.hp.com!hp-pcd!hpcvra.cv.hp.com!rnews!hpcvbbs!akcs.falco
From: akcs.falco@hpcvbbs.UUCP (Andrey Dolgachev)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: The next step downwards
Keywords: fractions,bug,HP-32
Message-ID: <2826ee5e:2620.15comp.sys.handhelds;1@hpcvbbs.UUCP>
Date: 7 May 91 18:40:12 GMT
References: <51123@apple.Apple.COM> <1991May06.185832.4863@grep.co.uk>
Lines: 66

Along the note of Portfolios, 95, Poquet, etc.  the following is taken
from a recent article reviewing the Casio Boss, Sharp Wizard, Poquet PC,
and the Atari Portfolio.

"None has a seperate numeric keypad."   (Unlike the 95LX)

"Even simple tests [Atari and Poquet PC] revelaed shortcomings that would
keep them from being the first choice in a portable computer."

"The Pquet PC was the largest of the tested units.  The screen displays
25 lines of 80 characters each in text or CGA mode, but the small
character size and excessive reflectivity make it ht eleast readable
display in the group.
The Poquet PC's keyboard had the largest keys and the best feel, but
typing was equally quick and accurate on the Wizard."  
  (Yup, the screen is bigger than a 95LX and so are the keys, but typing
is the same as a Wizard, which is at most, as good as a 95LX.  Of course,
typing is really subjective, but I've used the 95, and typing is
extremely easy, prob. 30 wpm compared to my usual 70.)

"the Poquet PC's 3.5 inch PC floppy-disk drive.  This battery-operated
drive [external, optional] can read from and write to 720k and 1.4
megabyte DOS floppies."  (Now, this I like)

(Now for the Portfolio)
"The keyboard is the worst of the tested group.  Because of its stiff,
tilted buttons and the raised lip that blocks the space bar, touch-typing
is impossible."
"The Portfolio is the worst-designed unit among the palmtop organizers. 
Its poor keyboard and failure to wrap text to fit its screen make it a
drudge for those on the go."

(Here's their summary)
"The Atari Portfolio is a complete disappointment. It lacks the design
sophistication of the other units, and its clunky keyboard and poor
screen manageent make it virtually unusable.
  I admire the Poquet PC's engineering, but I can't recommend its
purchase except as a conversation pieve.  those requiring the power of a
PC on the road will be happier in the long run with a laptop-for about
the same price.
"

--The above is taken from the June 1991 issue of MacUser, page 111-8.

In addition, I used the 95LX today, along with some of the other
palmtops, and the 95 is really a joy to use.  The keyboard is great, as
is the screen and speed.The applications are totally IBM type in the good
sense.  You press Menu to get the menubar, like say Microsoft Works for
the IBM.  When you press a key, such as Q, it executes that menu command
(QUIT in this case), there are submenus which replace the main menu,
instead of being pull-down, but otherwise they function the same way as
the Menus on the better IBM software.  This is for all the applications,
even the HP calculator simulator.  The World time is nice, there are a
lot of cities, and you can program in your own.  The Appointment,
Calendar, and To-Do list all run flawlessly and are on a completely
different level than the Wizard or Boss or etc.  Filer is a simple DOS
shell with additional additions for the 95 and easier to use than std.
becasue there's no C: prompt.  It's more like Xtree than a DOS shell,
actually, you move down the disk list with the arrow keys, and the menu
lets you do wdo the commands (run, view, etc.)  Most importantly, the HP
quality is very evident.  When closed, it's very small, and very light,
smaller and lighter than a 48.  At the store where I saw it, Ulrich's
Electronics in Ann Arbor, Mich.  it was only $525.  It really has to be
seen and played with to be believed though.

            ---Falco