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From: jabusch@uiucdcsb.Uiuc.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: HP 110 Query
Message-ID: <4400114@uiucdcsb>
Date: Wed, 21-Aug-85 20:04:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: uiucdcsb.4400114
Posted: Wed Aug 21 20:04:00 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 24-Aug-85 14:50:39 EDT
References: <695@brl-tgr.ARPA>
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Nf-ID: #R:brl-tgr.ARPA:-69500:uiucdcsb:4400114:000:2624
Nf-From: uiucdcsb.Uiuc.ARPA!jabusch    Aug 21 19:04:00 1985



	My office recently purchased a GridCase 2.  It's a very nice
machine, but exhorbitantly expensive for the individual.  It has:
	Internal 3.5 inch 730Kb floppy drive
	RGB video output with DB-9 connector (just like standard IBM
		color monitor adapter, works very well)
	512Kb RAM
	8087
	internal modem (Hayes compatible)
	serial port
	parallel port
	bus connector
	serial cable for PCMaster/PCSlave software use
	battery pack good for 4 to 6 hours
	AC adapter
	IBM-style keyboard plug to allow connection of standard IBM keyboard
	MS-DOS on ROM, takes all of 15 seconds to boot

	We also have on order the external base station, 5.25 inch floppy
and 5.25 inch hard disk.
	My impression (if you're interested) is good.  It's very nicely
finished.  Magnesium case, done with textured paint that withstands 
scratching pretty well.  PCMaster/PCSlave software allows hookup to IBM
PC-compatible, and gives the Grid the ability to use the IBM's disks, etc.
Keyboard is not the greatest, but have yet to meet a portable that has a
really nice one.  All key functions have been mapped and work well, as near
as I can tell.  Disk drives are slow, due to the manner in which DOS sees
them.  Apparently, DOS is fooled into thinking that each disk is actually
two of the usual 360Kb disks, and things are slowed down slightly.  The
display isn't bad for an LCD.  Actually, it's easier to read than the
Data General 1 that I've seen.  The plasma screem, which is not yet
available, would be far superior.  Grid does allow upgrade to the plasma
screen later for the price difference, from what the rep told me.  I
have used WordPerfect 4.0 (IBM PC version, not generic MS-DOS) on it,
along with Crosstalk, PC-Write, Savvy PC, various public domain programs,
AutoCAD 2.17, and Turbo Pascal.  Have yet to experience difficulties,
except that our Mouse Systems Mouse wouldn't work.

	Now for the bad news.  The price for the system we have, which
is approx. 20% below retail, is over $4500.  By the time we finish, it
will be in the $9000 range.  Reason?  The 10Mb hard disk costs $2200
retail.  Not your average personal portable price range!
	But to add the hard disk and the 5.25" floppy, you have to get
the base station, which connects to the Grid bus.  Then the disk drives
sit on top of it and connect through their chassis, without extra
cabling.  PCMaster/PCSlave works well, but is very slow.  Have yet to do 
extensive testing, but the Grid seems well suited to travel and heavy use
and it only weighs 12 pounds, by far easier to carry than the Compaq-
type machines.


John W. Jabusch