The mobile worker's flexible friend

Article Abstract:

The market for portable computers is expected to grow substantially in the 1990s with global sales projected to rise from 7.8 million units in 1994 to 19.5 million in 1998. The market, which features models priced between 900 and 5,000 pounds sterling, is currently dominated by two kinds of machine: notebooks and ultranotebooks. The notebooks usually feature the following characteristics: an A4 size, an eight-to-ten inch screen, a weight of between three to four kg., eight megabytes of internal memory and 150-500 megabyte hard disks. Ultranotebooks, on the other hand, are more compact and are aimed principally at users who place a premium on portability. These ultranotebooks usually have screens of the same size as notebooks, but have keyboards which are much smaller. Issues which must be considered when buying portables include power consumption, display technology, convenience for users on the move and the availability of multimedia features.

Personal & Home Computers, Microcomputers, Computer games, Laptop computers, Desktop organizers

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Who's wearing it?

Article Abstract:

Wearable computers are the latest generation of computers to emerge. These devices are small enough to be carried around on the body, although not as small as the wristwatch devices in movies. The latest wearable computer is Xybernaut's the Mobile Assistant, which utilizes a head-mounted display with a computer and battery pack that are worn on a belt. It is developed for hands-free operation and can be controlled by voice. The Mobile Assistant display comes with a small LCD eyepiece, earphone and microphone. The PC base unit is as small as a paperback book, weighs 1.25 kilograms and is powered by a lightweight, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The computer of the first generation of Mobile Assistant makes use of a 486-chip, four megabytes of RAM memory and a 340 megabyte hard disk. The second generation will be smaller and much cheaper.

Computers, Innovations, Digital computers, Portable computers

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Countdown to millennium mayhem

Article Abstract:

The widespread use of computer systems and other electronic devices containing microprocessors means that the Year 2000 date change problem will be felt in practically all aspects of life. A new report for the US Presidential Year 2000 Commission predicts that the millennium problem will throw New York City into chaos, disrupting supplies of water, gas, electricity and basic foodstuffs, and will put a stop to international air, rail and shipping services. To be technologically prepared for the arrival of the new millenium, businesses should conduct a thorough inventory of all their devices that contain microprocessors. They should then prioritize their critical systems and make them Year 2000-compliant as soon as possible.

Management, Prevention, Year 2000 transition (Computers), Program errors, Bugs (Software)

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