Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!ucbvax!WUMS2.WUSTL.EDU!BRENNER_T
From: BRENNER_T@WUMS2.WUSTL.EDU
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Suggestions for stand alone laptop?
Message-ID: <9105081832.AA01240@wugate.wustl.edu>
Date: 8 May 91 18:33:15 GMT
Sender: rwh@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Lines: 32

I have been asked by my future father-in-law to recommend a laptop and
would appreciate any input you can give me.  He is retiring soon and will
be travelling by trailer home around the U.S. for the next couple years in
search of the right retirement area.  

He wants the laptop mainly to do simple word processing and spreadsheet
input to keep notes on visits and keeptrack of expenses.  Of course, he
wants to spend as little as possible but has the money to buy whatever is
needed as long as the expense can be justified. He has little experience
with any computers.

Since he is doing simple computing I can't see the need for anything more
powerful than a 286 machine or more than 1m ram.

I would appreciate suggestions on:

1) most importantly, this is to be a stand alone machine, so I am a bit
worried about the integrity of the hard disk: how often do they crash in
laptops and what sort of backup procedure should be followed (how often -
some names of some good utilities for doing this?)   perhaps use a tape
backup?

2) much of the input will be done while riding in the pickup truck - what
is the minimum quality screen to get (including size and display type)

3)any reason for bigger than a 20m hard drive?

Thank you for your help,

Tim Brenner
WUMS Computing Facility
BRENNER_T@WUMS2.WUSTL.EDU