THE TANDY WP2 - A PORTABLE WORDPROCESSOR AND MORE ! - A GREAT LAPTOP COMPUTER - FIT FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS. ======================================================== If you're like me, you may already have other computers at home and at work but you need a simple cost effective system to meet specific needs. If this is true, then read on. The WP2 provides the minimum laptop computer functions at a reasonable price. It might be classified as a laptop computer that provides a minimum set of functions one might expect for about $250 before compromising for one of those "hand calculator size" computers. And it's in this application market segment that it stands out as a good "bang for your buck". Instead of discussing what the WP2 does not have, as other reviews have done, this is a review of what a WP2 does have, what it can do and most importantly how it can deliver such a great "bang for your buck" in this price range. Also, this review is for those guys, like me, who only need the following. - Minimum price (as an alternative, even $600 for the cheaper PC compatible laptop seemed too expensive, especially when I saw the WP2 on sale for $249). - A portable laptop computer, in some form - Small size and weight for travel (8.5"x11.75"x1",2 lbs. Now that's small and super light !) - Full size keyboard (please, none of those pocket calculator "things") - Word processor for memos, letters, notes, fax (fax through Compuserve) - Remote communications (e.g. to Compuserve, to office DEC, to IBM PC and MAC etc.) - Download/Upload of files to local or remote computers - Serial and parallel port (for telecommunications, printers, etc.) WHAT ARE THE TRADEOFFS ? ========================= For a relatively low price, small size and weight, some people, like me, are willing to tradeoff the following. - Don't need IBM PC / Apple MAC compatible (ASCI file transfer is fine) - Don't need a disk drive (RAM disk and file transfer via interfaces is acceptable) - Have patience (speed and the operator's manual are not the best) - Can accept a small LCD display - Don't need built in spread sheet programs (when needed, I access remote computers and download results) - Don't need high resolution graphics A PERFECT FIT FOR ... ======================= Many people only work on a small number of documents at a time. WP2 can be expanded from 32K to 128K bytes (note that the 128K RAM is available from others, not Tandy). Unless your writing manuals or books, it will be tough to run out of memory. Especially if you use this to do things like write letters, memos, fax (through Compuserve) or take notes. With a weight of only 2 pounds and a notebook size of 8.5"x11.75"x1", I feel like it never adds any significant weight or space to my travel luggage. during travel, I've uploaded/downloaded files to/from my office and CompuServe. Files were accessed later for editing. This has a another feature/benefit. I don't need a disk drive. Compuserve or my office becomes my "remote disk drive". I've installed 128K of RAM disk in my WP2. My usage is such that I normally have several working documents in the RAM disk area but still have never used all available memory. Nevertheless, even if I did use up all the 128K WP2 RAM disk space, I would simply upload some files to a remote computer to free up space (e.g. upload to Compuserve, home, or office). So, what did my entire set up cost me ? - $249 WP2 (on sale from Tandy) - $29 pocket size" 1200 baud modem (on sale from Damark) - < $10 serial interface cable (for modem and printer) - < $10 parallel interface cable (for other types of printers) Depending on your printer type, you may not need the last item. I have used this successfully with my HP Laser printer to create high quality printed documents. Compare this to an alternative: - $600 laptop computer with one floppy additional for cables and modem. Tandy chose to market this simply as a word processor. In my opinion, it is a full featured word processor - maybe not for your professional book author but more than enough for your traveling business man's memos, letters, faxes, etc. We need only the basics (e.g. cut, paste, spell check). With this we can write memos, letters, Email and faxes. BUT WHAT DON'T YOU LIKE ? ======================= OK. I said that this review was not going to present what the WP2 does not have. However, I don't want anyone to simply think that all I want to do is to sell Tandy WP2s. Therefore, here's some unique constructive criticism that as far as I know has not been discussed in other reviews. 1. In developing a new product, one should always consider the operator's manual as part of the product. If this is done well, the product is more likely to be accepted (not guaranteed but more likely accepted). Even if a problem is related to a user's understanding of the operator's manual, user feedback is more likely to criticize the product, not the manual. The WP2 operator's manual is "technically correct". It is not easy to use. If you're already familiar with computers, this product and manual will be easy to use. Matter of fact, you'll probably leave the manual on the shelf because most functions are obvious and accessible following the function keys listed above the keyboard. 2. It would be great to have some type of simple spread sheet. It could be very simple (e.g. add, subtract, multiply, divide, xx rows by yy columns, etc.). Even your simple business traveler could use such a tool occasionally. It would also be useful to be able to paste spread sheet results into a word processing document. Anybody out there with a simple program or hardware for the expansion slot that might help this ??? SUMMARY ======= If you only need the "basics" like : - Minimum price - a portable laptop computer, in it's simplest form - Small size and weight for travel - Full size keyboard - Word processor - Remote communications - Download/Upload of files to local or remote computers - Serial and parallel port (for printer and communications) Then the WP2 should fit meet your needs. This is not the computer for you if you "get turned on" by things like : - 386, 486, 68030/40 processors - xx Mbyte RAM - xx Mbyte disk - Spread sheet calculations - High resolution graphics - Lotus, Microsoft, etc. latest programs - Total compatibility with the office, home, and on the road You can find good and bad points about anything - even about a WP2. It's all relative. This product may be totally unacceptable to some and more than enough for others. At home I have an Apple MAC, an IBM PC compatible laptop computer and Tandy WP2. At work I use an Apple MAC and I have access to DEC and IBM mini and mainframe computers. They all have their "place in life". Nevertheless, as I sit comfortably on the sofa in my living room, guess which computer I used to write this review. A hint: it is about the size of a pad paper and runs many hours on four standard AA size batteries.