by Chuck Horowitz
In the October issue of PC Computing, Marty Jerome reviews forty-four notebook computers. His article is entitled “Your next notebook.” Besides featuring under $2,500 notebooks, the article compares the features and prices of about twenty models that can replace your desktop.
Toshiba America Information Systems (Irvine, CA) makes the Tecra 750 CDT, a 233MHz Pentium machine with MMX technology. The unit has 32MB of EDO RAM (expandable to 160MB), 4MB of Video RAM, a S3 Virge MX 3D graphics controller, a 4.77 Gigabyte hard drive (and an optional 3.88 Gigabyte hard drive), a 13.3 inch TFT active-matrix screen (with DuoView support for advanced simultaneous display), an integrated digital camera for capture of live video and video conferencing, a 56Kbps modem with DSVD voice/fax support and a built-in cellular port, a DVD ROM ready optional drive to upgrade the included 20X CD-ROM drive, two universal Serial Bus ports, two Type II or one Type III PC Card slots, ZV cards or 32-bit CardBus cards, a IrDA port, 3D Sound Blaster Pro audio with two built-in stereo speakers, a lithium-ion battery and a SelectBay slot that supports CD-ROM, floppy, hard drive, a battery or DVD ROM. Toshiba can be reached at 800-457-7777 or www.toshiba.com.
Fujitsu ICL Systems, Inc. (LaJolla, CA) has announced the TeamPad 7200 IP, a pen-based tablet with a 66MHz 486 Intel processor. The unit has Penright applications and DOS 6.22 as its operating system. There are two Type II and one Type III PC Card slots. This unit is available for $4,100. Fujitsu plans to add Windows CE capability to this model. Fujitsu can be contacted at 619-457-9900 or www.fujitsu.com.
Power Computing Corporation (Round Rock, TX) makes the PowerTrip notebook computer with a 233MHz MMX Pentium processor, a 13.3 inch active-matrix screen, 64MB of SDRAM (expandable to 128MB), a 4.0 Gigabyte hard drive, a 20X Max CD-ROM drive, a 56Kbps Fle x internal modem, built-in 3D Multimedia support with 4MB SGRAM, a smart lithium-ion battery, DVD ready 16-bit stereo sound and a TouchPad. The price for this unit is $4,899. Power Computing can be reached at 512-388-6868.
IBM Corporation (Armonk, NY) is now offering the WorkPad, a PalmPilot with a new face and IBM software. The unit includes Lotus Personal Information Manager and Lotus Organizer 97 GS (which also works on the PalmPilot). It contains the calendar, address book and notepad (as does the PalmPilot) and it can synchronize with your desktop to transfer data. IBM can be contacted at 800-426-2968 or www.us.pc-ibm.com.
Speaking of the PalmPilot (U.S. Robotics, Mountain View, CA), I have just upgraded my Pilot 1000 to a PalmPilot by means of their 1MB chip and software. The upgrade adds an e-mail capability and expense reporting to the old Pilot menu. Before you start t he upgrade process synchronize your Pilot with your desktop to save all of your data. The physical upgrade was easy (even for me) because all you had to do was remove the batteries, open the compartment for the chip, remove the original chip and replace it with the upgrade chip. To reach the chip, you have to remove the upper door on the back of the unit. This is done by inserting a paper clip into the hole just under the door and sliding the door out. There are two clips holding down the chip, on each side of the chip at the top. You squeeze the clips to the outside edges of the unit and then lift up the chip a small amount. The chip then pulls out away from you. At this point you reset the PalmPilot (paper clip inserted into a small hole in back of t he unit, where the serial number is). Now synchronize with your desktop and you’re back in business. U.S. Robotics can be reached at 800-881-7256 or www.usr.com/palm.
I also installed Intellisync for PalmPilot by Puma Technology (San Jose, CA) which allows you to synchronize with Daytimer Organizer 2.0 and 2.1, GoldMine for Win 95 3.0 and 3.2, Lotus Organizer 2.1 and 97, Microsoft Schedule+ 1.0 (Import/Export), Micros oft Schedule+ 7.0 and 7.0a, NetManage Ecco 3.03 and 4.0, Now-Up-To-Date Win 3.1 and 95, Microsoft Outlook 97, PalmPilot Desktop, Starfish Sidekick 1.0, 2.0, 95 and 97, Starfish Internet Sidekick and Symantic Act! 2.0 (Import/Export). I set up to synchron ize with Act, GoldMine, Schedule+ and Outlook. The installation was quick and painless and I was producing my up-to-date calendar from Outlook in no time at all (synchronized from the PalmPilot of course). Puma can be contacted at 800-248-2795 or www.pum atech.com.
Chuck Horowitz is a HAL-PC member. He can be reached at 281/486-6043, FAX 281/486-6053 or at brisassoc@aol.com.
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