Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1+some 2/3/84; site dual.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!dual!mats
From: mats@dual.UUCP (Mats Wichmann)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: From Sharp Minds come Pointed Sticks
Message-ID: <669@dual.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Jul-84 23:36:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: dual.669
Posted: Wed Jul 11 23:36:01 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Jul-84 01:19:02 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: Dual Systems, Berkeley, CA
Lines: 28

Well, so much for punning on Sharp's slogan....just staggered back
from NCC, and one of the big things was portable personal computers
that look like the gadget HP introduced so recently - basically
what looks like a keyboard with a flip-up LCD display. There must have
been about 10 companies there. So who cares, eh? Well, Sharp offers
theirs with Venix (you know, Venturecom) if you like. Frankly, I did
not get a chance to use the machine (too busy with more `important'
matters), so this is NOT a review. I have no idea how much of UNIX
comes with it, how much it costs etc. However, here are some specs
I *DO* have...

Sharp PC-5000:
8088 CPU, 128K RAM (expandable to 256K), 192K ROM, Optional 128K bubble memory 
cartridge, 8x80 LCD display (640x80 dots) - replacable with standard monitor,
RS-232 port (for communications with a host). Optional modem. Optional
two-floppy expansion. The unit also has a printer designed in, although 
parts to make it work are optional. Minimum system (with battery and
bubble memory cartridge) weighs 4.42 kg (9.74 pounds). Kinda neat,
actually (although personally I have no use for it). I have no data sheets 
on Venix (the stuff I have talks only about MS-DOS and GW-BASIC).

Also, apparently some sound capability is included - as one would expect 
from Sharp.  I suppose the next model will have a full 88-key piano 
keyboard......( :- )

	    Mats Wichmann
	    Dual Systems Corp.
	    ...{ucbvax,amd70,ihnp4,cbosgd,decwrl,fortune}!dual!mats