HSTRY2.THD --- Copyright 1987 by Phil Wheeler An original compilation of Compuserve Model 100 Forum messages for use by Forum members only. Another in a series of message collections ("threads") which capture our members' musings about the past. This one started with a question on the PC-5000 (a Sharp laptop computer currently being liqudated at very low prices). It then moved to to the Epson HX-20 (remember that?), the Sony Typecorder, and the NEC PC-8221 40 column thermal printer. And then on to Wayne Green (but that will be another THD file!). Message range: 144638 to 145013 Dates: 4/4/87 to 4/8/87 Fm: Tom Strong 71330,1143 To: all I am looking for any information anyone may have on the Sharp model PC 5000 laptop computer. It's the one that uses magnetic bubble cartridg es instead of floppies. Anyone who owns one and who could help me get started using it properly, or any magazine articles or book references would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Fm: J.D. Hildebrand 73717,2674 To: Tom Strong 71330,1143 I reviewed it when it first came out, and could send you my piece from Portable Computer magazine. The PC-5000 has its problems. The first is that external 5.25-inch disk drives used to cost $1100 (don't know what they cost now), and you had to have them to run PC software. Plus, the drives required AC. So all of a sudden you had a clunky transportable. Also, the unit barely runs DOS, and I believe it's DOS 1.25 or some such. Its 8-line screen keeps many programs from working properly on it. Finally, it's been as good as discontinued, and support is questionable. I've seen the unit advertised lately for less than $500. But that doesn't include extra bubble packs ($200? or more? don't remember) or external disk drives. It's one of those "buy it if it solves you r immediate problem but don't expect it to grow along with your needs or run software that doesn't come with it" computers. Fm: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 To: J.D. Hildebrand 73717,2674 The PC-5000 is being sold for $200 in closeout, and less than $500 with printer and bubbles and software...but...no drives available. Like a host of laptops that were -- and are -- sold, support is as deep as the commitment of the manufacturer to immediate sales. I had to laugh when I saw in the COMPUTER SHOPPER ads that they come "with manufacturer's guarantee." Like the Gavilan...and the Sord...and -- mark my words! -- the T1100 will be in 1989. PS -- you can "steal" a DataView 25 for about $500 too.... Fm: J.D. Hildebrand 73717,2674 To: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 These laptops were on the market in January 1984. How many of them can you track down today (a fun puzzle): ALL Computer, All Computer Inc. 11/M12-W10, 11/M12-D2, Andromeda Systems Inc. Athena I, Athena Computer and Electronic Systems TX-10/15, Canon Inc. FP-2000 Notebook Computer, Casio Workslate (ha!), Convergent Technologies Electronic Notebook, Datec Inc. M-10, Olivetti/Docutel Husky, DVW Microelectronics Ltd. HX-20, Epson America Mobile Computer, Gavilan Computer Corp. Compass, Grid Systems Corp. Road-Runner, MicroOffice Systems Technology PC-8201, NEC MicroMate (ha! again), Personal Micro Computers Inc. PC-5000, Sharp Typecorder, Sony Model 100, Tandy/Radio Shack T-3000, Teleram Communications T100, Toshiba UDI 500, Universal Data Inc. PortaBrain, Universal Research Series 1805, 1810, Xerox Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: J.D. Hildebrand 73717,2674 I almost bought an HX-20. It's what sparked my interest in portable computers.... But then I looked at the NEC, and that was even better!... But no modem! Then I looked at a Model 100, and "The rest was history!" Fm: Phil Wheeler 71266,125 To: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 Me too, Tony! But that screen (4 by 20) was too limiting. Even with a Toshiba (24 by 80) available, I find the Model 100's screen completely adequate and comfortable for writing, etc. But the HX-20 was too extreme! Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Phil Wheeler 71266,125 Great minds think alike! Strange how things develop... all I wanted a portable for, was to be able to do some programming for my desktop in my off time at work. I figured I could write a few good programs, dump them to the desktop, and make better use of it. Now, I hardly EVER use the desktop. Fm: J.D. Hildebrand 73717,2674 To: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 Whatever happened to the HX-20? Except for its dinky screen, it had many of the features that the 100 should have had, seems to me: built-in mini-printer, built-in cassette storage, and the ability to accept standard (i.e., low-cost) ROMs. With a few modifications, it could have been a winner. Fm: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 To: J.D. Hildebrand 73717,2674 Did you ever try to use an HX-20? It was a terminal at best....with a keyhole view of the world! Fm: Phil Wheeler 71266,125 To: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 Mel, a friend DID have an HX-20! Before the M100 was here I was impressed. Fm: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 To: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 I has the same reaction...but I finally gave up on the HX-20, and on trying to get a straight answer from Sony on where I could get my hands on the Typecorder, and on that kluge-y adapter for a Selectric that was supposed to sit over the keyboard and, with solenoids, punch the keys. Did anyone ever actually see one? And did anyone beside me actually ever use a Gavilan? Fm: Thom Hartmann 70007,1176 To: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 I actually *own* a Typecorder. At the time, it was quite an impressive machine, and still is, if size only is a factor. Microcasette storage, one-line display, great keyboard. It was designed as a steno machine, and the casettes pop into Sony's big deskto into Sony's big desktop WP machine. With the Serial adapater I used to interface it with my Mod III. Wayne Green was the one who first introduced me to it; we shared a trip to the orient and he was using his everywhere he went. Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 Darned if I don't remember that! That Kludge of a solenoid driver for the IBM Selectric keyboard. I actually saw one, and even have a couple of the solenoids around here somewhere. Clackety-Clack! About the same as a Teletype. Then you could "flip it up out of the way".... and not see the paper! Then there was an electronic Selectric Conversion, made by CPT, that had a dual cassette drive unit attached, that looked like a big vacuum cleaner... Straight keyboard save type of device, with merging possibilities from the second drive, for mailing lists, etc. Keyboard worked a lot better! Remember when 15 cps, as provided by a Selectric "terminal" was considered FAST??? (grin) Anderson-Jacobson STILL sells them! Fm: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 To: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 What I distinctly remember were the failures at making the Selectric into a printer...which revealed that, no matter how hard you thought your secretary worked, it was NOTHING compared to the way a computer could! Jeez, we're old fa-ts... Fm: Thom Hartmann 70007,1176 To: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 Ah, but they produce such nice type quality. That's why I shelled out $500 for an ETI2 to drive a new IBM Electronic 50, which uses the same (or similar) typeballs and ribbons. Even though it only chuggs along at about 13 cps, it suuuurrre does look purty! (Not to mention the ability to do true* proportional spacing and micro-justification. [Keep in mind that this investment was made some five years ago, when the state of the are wasn't quite where it is today.]) Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: J.D. Hildebrand 73717,2674 One of the neatest little printers I ever saw was the NEC 40-column one that is (was) battery operated. Phil Wheeler has one, and for quick info dumps it was really great, and took up so little room. Less than the size of a TDD. The problem was, getting the thermal roll paper for it... it was about the size of adding machine tape. But I wouldn't have thrown it away, had I had one. Fm: Phil Wheeler 71266,125 To: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 And I still have the NEC 40-col printer (and gobs of paper). It is very nice for certain things, even docs when used for 2-column past-ups. Bit slow, and not too good for correspondence!