Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!turnkey!orchard.la.locus.com!fafnir.la.locus.com!bruceb
From: bruceb@locus.com (Bruce M. Binder)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Notebook Manufacturers Listen Up!
Message-ID: <1991May08.172723.903145@locus.com>
Date: 8 May 91 17:27:23 GMT
References: <1991May04.204037.21028@eng.cam.ac.uk>
Organization: Locus Computing Corporation, San Diego, CA
Lines: 36

->The following are the specifications for a notebook computer that will
->appeal immeasurably to the tens of thousands of technical
->professionals out there who use computers as an integral part of their
->work.
->
->o dimensions, 8.5" x 11" x 1"
->o 8 or 10 MHz  80C88, 80C86 or V20
->o MS-DOS compatible
->o 1.44 MB disk drive, try to make this as fast as possible, the floppy
->o 1 MB ram expandable to 2MB, must be LIM/EMS 4.0 compatible
->o 4+ hr battery life, _must_have_sleep/resume_key
->o 1 serial port
->o The display requires a bit of discussion.  640 x 400 resolution is
->o Total weight: 3 to 3.5 lbs, I'm adamant on this, it will be the thing
->
->Now for the things that it will NOT have, mostly to save money:
->o There is no reason to have a parallel port, all the printers that
->o Even EGA graphics capability is not important though CGA might be nice
->o Don't bother putting MS-DOS or DR-DOS in ROM, it may save memory but
->
->For this machine you are allowed to charge a retail price of not more
->(preferably less) than $500 US.  Considering the level of technology

Rather than point out little things that I wish this machine had or
didn't have, let me just emphatically point out that I would buy
this machine in a minute.  I would probably buy two!  I would like
to know if everyone who posted a "yes, but I wish..." would really
not buy the machine described here.  Sure, no machine is perfect
for everyone but I agree with Davin: at this price, if you build 
it, they will come.

<bruceb>
 ___  __  __  ___
(  ,)(  \/  )(  ,)  Bruce M. Binder                   (619) 587-0511
 ) ,\ )    (  ) ,\  Locus Computing Corporation     bruceb@locus.com
(___/(_/\/\_)(___/  San Diego, California      ...!ucsd!lccsd!bruceb