Mobile |  | by Chuck Horowitz |
Intel Corporation (Santa Clara, CA) is producing a 120MHz processor that packs more than 3.3 million transistors onto the chip. Intel calls it the Pentium 1000/120. The chip operates at 3.3 volts, with its inner core running at 2.9 volts.
This chip should bring the price of Pentium based mobile systems down to an affordable level.
Calluna Technology, Inc. (San Jose, CA) makes the 260MB Callunacard, a PCMCIA Type III (which can also be used on a desktop). The Callunacard has a data transfer rate of 11 Mbps, and an average seek time of 16 Msamples/sec. It can be used as a high-speed backup system. It can withstand 200G shocks while operating and 750G shocks when powered down. Sharp Electronics Corporation (Mahwah, NJ) is coming out with a high-end line of notebook computers with the new IrDA-2 standard for infrared technology. The PC 9000 line will have a device using this standard that will transfer data 35 times faster than the current standard. The unit will process approximately 160 pages of text per second. It will also be able to exchange still video images and graphics. The machine will use Super High Aperture technology for the LED screen and a lithium-ion battery. There's a good chance that the machine will be a 133MHz.
Here's a new security gzmo for all you Road Warriors (airborne included). Port (800-242-3133) makes the "Private Eye Display Filter." It shields a notebook computer's screen so that anyone sitting at an angle to the screen cannot read what's on it. Suggested retail for this plastic filter is $74.95.
TeamConcepts (Lombard, IL) has the ComQuest Plus a kid's laptop computer. Now your kids can be Road Warriors too. They have a PC link add-on to share information to and from your PC and the kid's ComQuest Plus.
Chips & Technology (San Jose, CA) is coming out with a new controller called HiQVision for notebook computers that will be able to display full-motion video at 30 frames per second. Your full-screen video will be better than most desktops. You will be able to zoom the video image from full-screen to postage-stamp size and work with small television cameras. Your notebook will pick up broadcast television (with a PC Card TV tuner) and function as a high-performance game platform.
CTX International(Walnut, CA) just released its EZBOOK 650 & 655 notebook PCs with 90MHz Pentium processors. The unit has a removable dual-speed CD-ROM drive, 16 bit sound, 8MB RAM (expandable to 32MB), a NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) battery, a 10.4 inch thin-film display and 256KB of Level 2 cache.
Fujitsu, LTD. is planning to release notebook computers under the Fujitsu PC Corp. (Milpitas, CA) name. 100MHz and 133MHz Pentium notebooks will be released in the second quarter of 1996. Hitachi PC Corp. (San Jose, CA) will also release a new notebook line at that time.
SMC Microsystems, Inc. (Los Gatos, CA) has developed the "SwapSmart". A reading device for PC Smartcards. The device has built-in security features through a patented application specific integrated circuit design. Users will not be able to process transactions on the Internet without the card and a PIM (Personal Identification Number). The device fits into any notebook PC Card, Type II slot.
Chuck Horowitz is a HAL-PC member.
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