Sept. 5, 1997, Information Week reports that IBM announced their new
ThinkPad 770 using Intel's "Tillamook" mobile Pentium MMX CPU, and
announced that the new product will be IBM's first mobile "built to
order" product. The new 770 includes a new drive bay "UltraBay II"
which is accessible from the side, 13.3" active matrix display, 200
MHz mobile Pentium MMX, 32MB RAM for $5,000 (US). At the top will be
a 14.1" version with 233MHz Pentium MMX and 5.1GBHD. A new "SelectaDock
III" docking station supports USB.
[1997/09/12]
IBM Personal Computing in Canada. This is another site under the
blanket of IBM. This is where to find info about the ThinkPads for
Canadian distribution.
http://www.ca.pc.ibm.com/
[1997/09/19]
Sept. 3, 1997, Computer Reseller News reports that Toshiba America
IS shipped some models of notebook computers with a software virus.
Less than 1% of Tecra 730CDT and 510CDT, Portege 300CT and 660CDT,
Satellite Pro 460CDT, 440CDT, 440CDX, 430CDT and 430CDS and Satellite
220CDS sold between Aug. 7 - 23 with Windows 3.11 and Windows for
Workgroups shipped with the AntiExe virus. Contaminated notebooks
can be corrected with "standard" virus-protection software or by
reinstalling the OS. Toshiba is providing virus protection software
on their Website.
[1997/09/09]
Sept. 3, 1997, Business Wire reports that Compaq is offering a free
16MB RAM upgrade with each Armada 1530DM, 1550DMT or 1580DMT notebook
computer purchased from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 1997. The offer is limited
to new units (not refurbs) purchased in the US (not Canada) from Direct
Plus or participating resellers "while supplies last" and does not include
reseller installation charges.
[1997/09/09]
Sept. 3, 1997, Computer Retail Week reports that PC Data, a research
group is expecting the move to MMX technology notebook computers will
stimulate revenue gains for computer retailers this fall.
[1997/09/09]
Aug. 27, 1997, Canada News Wire reports that AST Canada has reduced
prices of Ascentia notebook computers by up to 15%.
[1997/09/02]
While most "Wintel" laptops come with some version of Microsoft
Windows, there are a number of other operating systems that can
run on them with varying degrees of success. These are a few of
the most important.
[1999/03/15
Aug. 26, 1997, Business Wire reports that IBM has set their pricing
for their new network operating system "Workspace On-Demand. [I'm
not sure how this actually fits with OS/2. It might be a set of
utilities that work with OS/2 or it could be a substantial replacement.
There is probably information available, but I haven't run across it
yet.]
http://www.software.ibm.com/workspace/
[1997/09/02]
Aug. 12, 1997, PR Newswire reports that Compaq will include S3's
Aurora64V+ graphics chipset in Armada 7300 notebook computers.
S3's multiple monitor/different image capability will be supported
in Microsoft's upcoming Memphis OS.
[1997/08/15]
July 30, 1997, Business Wire reports that Compaq has announced
their new upper end Armada 7300 Notebook computer. Priced from
$4,399 to $4,899 (US) the 6 lb. models use 150 - 166 MHz
Pentium MMX processors, 16 or 32MB EDO RAM (expandable up to
128MB), 2.1 GB SMART removable HD, 12.1" 800 * 600 16M colour
TFT screens and MultiBay.
[1997/08/02]
July 15, 1997, Business Wire reports that Melard Technologies's
SCOUT All-Terrain subnotebook computers will come bundled with GoAmerica
Communications Corp.'s internet and intranet services.
http://www.melard.com/
http://www.goamerica.net/
[1997/07/18]
July 14, 1997, PR Newswire reports that a Computerworld survey shows
that for desktop and notebooks, senior IT buyers may be moving towards
Dell, Micron and Gateway 2000 for their better performance to price and
away from IBM, Compaq and Digital.
[1997/07/18]
June 19, 1997, Information Week reports that Dell plans to ship
a version of "Dell Inspector" including "Desktop Management Interface
2.0" (DMI 2.0) on its Latitude Xpi notebook products and
Hewlett-Packard also plans on including DMI 2.0 in their portables.
[1997/06/28]
June 17, 1997, PR Newswire reports that Micron Electronics' new
XKE Notebook comes with a Motorola 56kbps (K56Flex(TM)) upgradeable
modem.
http://www.micronpc.com/
[1997/06/28]
June 18, 1997 Computer Retail Week reports that Mitsubishi will
introduce the Amity CN sub-notebook computer below $2,000.00 US.
It is expected to have a 133MHz Pentium CPU, 1.2GB HD and 32MB
RAM. Also expected are the Amity VP pen based computer at
$2,495 US. Also coming will be the DJ-1000 digital camera at
$199.00 US which does not have an LCD display, but uses CompactFlash
memory cards.
[1997/06/23]
June 18, 1997, Business Wire reports that the Toshiba Portege
300CT has won the Byte Magazine PC Expo Award for best portable
computer.
[1997/06/23]
June 16, 1997, Business Wire reports that Compaq has announced
the following new products:
Armada 1580DMT with 150MHz Pentium MMX, 2.1GB HD, 12.1" colour
TFT SVGA display $3,999 US
Armada 1530DM 133MHz Pentium MMX, 1.4 GB HD, 12.1" colour STN
(new high contrast technology) SVGA display $2,899 US
Armada 1500 series feature integrated AC adapter, 33.6kbps
fax modems, speaker phone, 16-bit audio, NiMH or LiIon batteries,
10X CD-ROM drive and floppy, RAM expandable to 80MB
Armada 4160T 166MHz Pentium MMX, 2.0GB "Smart" HD, 12.1" 800 *
600 colour TFT SVGA display
Armada 4150 150MHz Pentium MMX, 1.6GB "Smart" HD, 12.1" CSTN
("fast technology") display.
Compaq also announced price reductions up to 14% on Armada 1100,
1500, 4100, and 7700 notebook series.
Also announced was new packaging for the "PC Companion" HPC
product line with the new versions of "HPC Explorer" with support
for Windows NT and syncronization with Outlook and Office 97
applications, and other improvements.
[1997/06/23]
June 9, 1997, Electronic Buyer News reports that several Taiwan
vendows were showing high end laptops based on the next-generation
Intel Pentium processor code named "Tillamook" at the Computex Taipei
show. Chuntex Electronic, Compal Electronics, Kapok, Mitac-International
were named. The "Tillamook" is a 200 - 233MHz Pentium preinstalled on
a card module.
[1997/06/18]
May 30, 1997, Newsbytes reports that Gartner Group has issued
"do not buy" and "buy with caution" warnings on Compaq Armada
4100 and LTE 5000 series computers dues to multiple problems
which occurred on many models variants. Problems were cited
in power supplies, batteries, system boards, hard drives, ROM
and I/O systems. Compaq is working on the systems.
[1997/06/05]
June 2, 1997, Toshiba has announced several changes
evolving their lineup, but the big news is in the
smallest package. They have brought the Libretto 50
to Canada. General specifications are as follows:
Libretto 50CT:
210mm * 115mm * 34mm (8.3" * 4.5" *1.3"), 850g. (1.8lbs) w/battery
75MHz Intel Pentium (2.9/3.3V), 16KB write back cache
in CPU, Real time clock/calendar, math coprocessor integrated
16MB EDO RAM expandable to 32MB, 772MB HD (810 million bytes),
6.1" diagonal 640 * 480 * 24-bit screen (16.7 million colours)
external SuperVGA video 800 * 600 * 16-bit, 1024 * 768 * 8 bit
80 key keyboard emulates 101 keys
1 Type II PC Card slot, IrDA 1 infrared port, Toshiba memory port
Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries: Standard battery 1.5 - 2 hr,
optional high capacity battery 3 - 4 hrs.
Windows 95 and Toshiba utilities pre-installed.
many options
[1997/06/03]
This morning I attended the unveiling of the ThinkPad 380 series notebook computers. This new low-end series features built in floppy, hard and (optional) CD-ROM drives, all present at the same time, by using very compact CD-ROM and floppy drives in the space where one drive used to sit. Prices start at $3299.00 Cdn.
General Specs:
380 model, 150MHz Pentium, 12.1" * 16 bit DSTN display,
1.0GBHD, 16MB RAM (expandable to 80MB), 6.6 lbs., 2.2 hr.
NiMH battery, $3299.00 Cdn. Model 2635-English 10U or
2635-French 10F.
[1997/05/13]
Apr. 30, 1997, PR Newswire reports that S3 Incorporate announced
that Compaq is using their Aurora64V+ video chip system for
dual display capabilities on their Armada 7700 series of notebook
computers.
[1997/05/06]
Apr. 21, 1997, InformationWeek reports that Traveling Software
will announce LapLink for Windows NT 4.0.
[1997/05/01]
Apr. 23, 1997, PR Newswire reports that Microsoft and Toshiba are showing the value of laptop computers in education. In 52 schools throughout the US, in grades 4 - 12, laptops are available to make learning available "anytime anywhere."
This has been apparent since the Tandy Model-100. As minimal
as that computer was, it showed the potential of laptops in
education. It would seem that Apple's eMate-300 is behind this
"sudden interest" in the concept.
[1997/05/01]
Mar. 17, 1997, TechWire reports that Digital's new HiNote VP line
(560, 565 and 575) feature a new combination 12-speed CD-ROM and
floppy drive combination unit. Prices range from $2,499 US to
$4,499 US. Each comes with 12.1" colour display and 128-bit
graphics accelerator.
VP 575, Intel Pentium 166MHzMMX, 16MB RAM, 2.16GBHD
VP 565, 133MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 1.44GBHD
VP 560, 133MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 1.44GBHD
Feb. 18, 1997, Newsbytes reports that LEK Technologies has announced
their FutureNote MMX 200 powered by a 200 MHz Pentium MMX CPU. With
16MB main memory, 1GBHD, 8 speed CD-ROM, 16 bit sone, PCCard modem floppy
drive, 12.1" colour LCD monitor, battery, carrying case and Windows 95
$3,550 US. Heat is handled by a special heat sink and fan combination.
http://www.lektech.com/
[1997/02/18]
Feb. 17, 1997, Electronic Engineering Times reports that OEMs are
not responding favorably to Intel's "processor modules" and in
particular the "Mobile Module" for notebook computers. Size and
design restrictions were noted.
[1997/02/20]
On Jan. 7, 1997 Compaq added a wide-screen notebook, the Armada 4131T
and dropped prices on the rest of their lineup from 5% to 19%
[1997/01/26]
AST and Dell have at times been big names in the portable computer
field. Occasionally they have shared technology. In some cases, a
model by one company was simply a "badge engineered" version of a
similar model by the other. Samsung now holds a substantial part of
AST computers and I was wondering if AST computers would end up being
similarly re-labelled Samsungs. That has not been the case. For the
time being, the Samsung and AST product lines have remained fairly
distinctive (as much as can be expected given that both are producers
of Windows machines). But AST and Dell are always worth watching for
innovative products at popular price points.
AST Computers worldwide
AST
laptops North America
Dell Computers
[1996/12/26]