In the weight vs. power equation, a new compromise; 'subnotebooks' weigh as little as two pounds. But can they really get the job done?
Article Abstract:
Computer companies continue trying to develop microcomputers that are small enough to carry, yet are powerful enough to meet business executives' needs. New notebook products, which weigh 5 to 8 pounds, are significantly improved compared with earlier designs. New notebooks incorporate 80486-class microprocessors and come with bright screens and keyboards that allow comfortable touch typing. But these machines are still too heavy, and computer companies are now offering 'subnotebooks,' which weigh 2 to 4 pounds. Companies making such machines include Apple, Zenith Datasystems Inc, Dell Computer Corp, Gateway 2000 Inc, Zeos International Ltd and Lexmark International Inc. Subnotebooks are of two distinct varieties: at the high end are fully functional portable machines that can run Microsoft Windows 3.1 and have backlit VGA screens and internal hard disks; and at the low end are machines that incorporate solid-state storage with no internal hard disk.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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Provocative diskette technologies: customers will have a hard time sorting out the many approaches
Article Abstract:
New high-capacity diskette drives - magnetic floppy disks, optical disks and hybrids called 'floptical drives' - are being developed. Some companies, including IBM, are developing a 3.5-inch diskette drive that can store 2.88 Mbytes of data - twice the capacity of drives that are now in use. Such high-capacity drives were shown at Comdex-Fall, in Nov 1990, but it will probably be a year or two before the devices are widely adopted. Toshiba Corp is said to have a conventional diskette drive that can read and write 16Mbytes per diskette. Two American companies - Brier Technology Inc and Insite Peripherals Inc - showed diskette drives that combine elements of magnetic and optical technologies. The result, which is called a 'floptical' drive, is said to have a capacity of from 20 to 40Mbytes.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1990
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