Information | |
Manufacturer | Bondwell Holding Company |
Model | Model 2 |
Date Announced | 1985 |
Number Produced | Tens of thousands |
Country of Origin | Hong Kong |
------------------------------------------------------------------- the Bondwell 2
| specification | |
| Processor | Zilog Z80 |
| Speed | 4 MHz |
| RAM | 64K |
| ROM | 4K |
| Storage | 3.5" floppy diskette (built-in) |
| Expansion | Limited internal expansion |
| Bus | Proprietary |
| Video | 640x200 LCD (built-in) - 80x25 text |
| I/O | Parallel, Serial |
| OS Options | CP/M |
It used less energy (100mA vs. 200mA, allowing it to operate on four penlight batteries. Alternatively a rechargeble battery pack could be installed.
The option bay could contain a cassette drive, printer, or other option. The PX8 has a fixed cassette drive.
Its optional External RAM Disk contained apart fro
A Centronics compatible printer port. In those days Epson
The keyboard is also a separate module. Shown
The cassette drive eject button has a blocking mechanism. The cassette will only come out if it is unmounted. The PX-8 had no blocking, and has a warning on the case.
An external cassette port. This was a returning HX-20 feature.
Dates beyond 12/31/99 are accepted. The PX-8 is limi
Another capsule ROM format 'P', which allows execution of programs directly from the ROM. The original format 'M' which is the same as used with the PX-8, is a strict disk image. The PX-4 BASIC is an example of the 'P' format.
The disadvantage of having the Z80 processor suppory all functionality, is that about 10 kByte less is available for the TPA (and RAM dis
| configuration\machine | PX-4 | PX-8 |
|---|---|---|
| without external RAM disk | 29.5 kByte TPA (+25 kByte int. RAM disk) | 54.5 kByte TPA (+8 kByte int. RAM disk) |
| with external RAM disk | 55.4 kByte TPA | 63.5 kByte TPA |
The ROM capsule socket is upward compatible with the internal o
| The Epson px-8 | |
| Released | 1984 |
| Price: | US $995 |
| Weight: | 5 lbs, 2.3kg |
| CPU: | Z-80 @ 2.45MHz |
| RAM: | 64K, 128K max |
| Display: | 80 X 8 text LCD |
| | 480 X 64 graphics |
| Storage | micro tape-drive |
| Ports: | RS-232, serial audio in/out, bar code |
| OS: | CP/M 2.2 in ROM |
There are two slightly different versions, the "PX-8" and the "Geneva", with the later being intended for the American market. Some sources indicate that the Geneva ran at 4Mhz, but other sources dispute this claim.
The Epson PX-8 aka Geneva was a small laptop computer made by the Epson Corporation in the mid-1980s.
It had a Z-80 compatible microprocessor, and ran a customized version of the CP/M-80 operating system as well as various applications from a pair of ROM cartridge slots. For file storage, it had a microcassette drive.
The PX-8 did not have any internal disk drive, and instead allowed either memory to be partitioned into application memory and a RAM disk, or an external 64 KB or 128 KB RAM disk module to be attached; the RAM disk module also had a backup battery for the RAM disk and an additional ROM (64 KB version only) cartridge slot. Data can be saved onto the built-in micro cassette tape drive.
The PX-8 had an 80 column by 8 line LCD display, which was monochromatic and non-backlit. It used an internal nickel-cadmium battery, and had a battery life in the range of 6-8 hours when using word-processing software.
There were a number of proprietary accessories available including a portable printer, bar code reader, and an early 3.5-inch diskette drive. For the ROM cartridge slots a number of applications were available: Basic, CP/M utilities, Portable WordStar, CalcStar and Scheduler.
The PX-8 was not initially a commercial success, especially compared against the TRS-80 Model 100 portable computer but achieved some increased success after a large number were sold discounted in the United States through the DAK Catalog. The PX-8 combined some of the features from its predecessors, the HX-20 being portable, battery operated and the QX-10being CP/M compatible.
the 8401 has a 16-line by 80-column fold-up LCD screen, 64K of RAM, and a built-in 300 baud modem, and can be operated using batteries or an AC adapter. It uses the CP/M operating system and has four built-in software packages including Wordstar-To-Go, Calc-To-Go, Telcom (telecommunications utility), and Filer (personal card filing program). BASIC is not included in the system.
The basic package included the computer, phone cable, cassette recorder cable, four manuals, quick reference guide, information about on-line services, and license and warranty cards. The package did not include either an AC adapter or batteries. Optional peripherals include a CRT/disk adapter, micro floppy disk unit, 1200 baud modem, external 32K RAM cartridge, and a wide assortment of cables.
Somewhat larger and heavier than the 8201, the 8401 measures 11.8" x 8.4" x2.8" and weighs 4.7 lbs. It uses a CMOS version of the 8-bit Z80 mpu operating at 4 MHz. Built in are three 32K ROMs (96K total) which include the BIOS and applications software. The 64K of RAM is segmented into two 32K blocks, one for storing user programs (called an internal RAM disk) and the other for file creation and manipulation. With an optional floppy disk drive attached, it is possible to allocate all 64K of the computer to program execution.
A compartment in the top of the computer accepts four C-cells; alkaline batteries are said to have a life of eight hours or longer. There is an automatic power shutoff if no key has been pressed for ten minutes; this time period may be reset by the user to 1 to 25 minutes.
| PC 8401A | |
| KEYBOARD | Full-stroke 68 keys with 5 function keys and 4 cursor keys |
| CPU | Z80 - CMOS version |
| SPEED | 4 MHz |
| RAM | 64 KB |
| ROM | 96 KB (BIOS and application software) |
| TEXT MODES | 80 columns x 16 lines (6 x 8 matrix) |
| GRAPHIC MODES | Unknown |
| COLORS | Monochrome |
| SOUND | Unknown |
| SIZE / WEIGHT | 11.8'' x 8.4'' x2.8'' / 4.7 lbs |
| I/O PORTS | Serial RS-232, Parallel, Tape recorder, Bus connector, Modem and phone line plugs |
| BUILT IN MEDIA | Optional Data recorder + optional 3.5'' disk-drive |
| OS | CP/M 2.2 + 4 built-in software (WordStar, Calc, Telcom, Filer) |
| POWER SUPPLY | Internal batteries or AC adapter |
| PERIPHERALS | CRT/Disk adaptor, 328 KB 3.5'' FDD unit, 1200-baud external modem |
| PRICE | $995 (USA, 1984) |
| | |
The Compass is very high-tech, with its flat-black, die-cast magnesium-alloy case, and bright, sharp electroluminescent display (ELD). No other system packed so much speed and power in as small a case, and none had such a unique and large, easy-to-read screen, allowing full 80x24 text.
The Commodore SX-64-The Commodore SX-64, also known as the Executive 64, or VIP-64 in Europe, was a portable, briefcase or suitcase-size "luggable" version of the popular Commodore 64 home computer, and was the first full-color portable computer.
The SX-64-The SX-64 featured a built-in five-inch composite monitor and a built-in 1541 floppy drive. It weighed 20 pounds The machine was carried by its sturdy handle, which doubled as an adjustable stand. It was announced in January 1983 and released a year later, at $995 USD.
the Kaypro 2000-Possibly the first commercial IBM-compatible laptop was the Kaypro 2000, introduced in 1985. With its brushed aluminum clamshell case, it was remarkably similar in design to modern laptops. It featured a 25 line by 80 character LCD display, a detachable keyboard, and a pop-up 90 mm (3.5 inch) floppy drive.
the IBM PC Convertible-Also among the first commercial IBM-compatible laptops was the IBM PC Convertible, introduced in 1986.
the T1000 and T1200-Two Toshiba models, the T1000 and T1200, were introduced in 1987. Although limited floppy-based DOS machines, with the operating system stored in ROM, the Toshiba models were small and light enough to be carried in a backpack, and could be run off lead-acid batteries. These also introduced the now-standard "resume" feature to DOS-based machines: the computer could be paused between sessions, without having to be restarted each time.
The SupersPort series-The first laptops successful on a large scale came in large part due to a Request For Proposal (RFP) by the U.S. Air Force in 1987. This contract would eventually lead to the purchase of over 200,000 laptops. Competition to supply this contract was fiercely contested and the major PC companies of the time; IBM Corporation, Toshiba, Compaq, NEC, and Zenith Data Systems (ZDS), rushed to develop laptops in an attempt to win this deal. ZDS, which had earlier won a landmark deal with the IRS for its Z-171, was awarded this contract for its SupersPort series. The SupersPort series was originally launched with an Intel 8086 processor, dual floppy disk drives, a backlit, blue and white STN LCD screen, and a NiCd battery pack. Later models featured an Intel 80286 processor and a 20 MB hard disk drive. On the strength of this deal, ZDS became the world's largest laptop supplier in 1987 and 1988. ZDS partnered with Tottori Sanyo in the design and manufacturing of these laptops. This relationship is notable because it was the first deal between a major brand and an Asian original equipment manufacturer.
the Cambridge Z88-Another notable computer was the Cambridge Z88, designed by Clive Sinclair, introduced in 1988. About the size of an A4 sheet of paper as well, it ran on standard batteries, and contained basic spreadsheet, word processing, and communications programs. It anticipated the future miniaturization of the portable computer, and as a ROM-based machine with a small display, can — like the TRS-80 Model 100 — also be seen as a forerunner of the personal digital assistant.
The COMPAQ SLT286-By the end of the 1980s, laptop computers were becoming popular among business people. The COMPAQ SLT286 debuted at the end of 1988, being the first battery-powered laptop to sport an internal hard disk drive and a VGA compatible LCD screen.
The NEC UltraLite-The NEC UltraLite, released in mid-1989, was perhaps the first notebook computer, weighing just over 2 kg; in lieu of a floppy or hard drive, it contained a 2 megabyte RAM drive, but this reduced its utility as well as its size.
the Compaq LTE serie-Additional light-weight notebook computers to include hard drives were those of the Compaq LTE series, introduced toward the end of 1989. Truly the size of a notebook, they also featuredgrayscale backlit displays with CGA resolution.
Macintosh Portable -The first Apple Computer machine designed to be used on the go was the 1989 Macintosh Portable (although an LCD screen had been an option for the transportable Apple IIc in 1984). Unlike the Compaq LTE laptop released earlier in the year the Macintosh Portable was actually a "luggable" not a laptop, but the Mac Portable was praised for its clear active matrix display and long battery life, but was a poor seller due to its bulk. In the absence of a true Apple laptop, several compatible machines such as the Outbound Laptop were available for Mac users; however, for copyright reasons, the user had to supply a set of Mac ROMs, which usually meant having to buy a new or used Macintosh as well.
The Apple PowerBook series-The Apple PowerBook series, introduced in October 1991, pioneered changes that are now de facto standards on laptops, such as room for a palm rest, and the inclusion of a pointing device (a trackball). The following year, IBM released its ThinkPad 700C, featuring a similar design (though with a distinctive red TrackPoint pointing device).
Later PowerBooks introduced the first 256-color displays (PowerBook 165c, 1993), and first true touchpad, first 16-bit sound recording, and first built-inEthernet network adapter (PowerBook 500, 1994).
In 1994, IBM released the RS/6000 N40 laptop based on a PowerPC microprocessor running the AIX operating system, a variant of UNIX. It was manufactured by Tadpole Technology (now Tadpole Computer), who also manufactured laptops based on SPARC and Alpha microprocessors, the SPARCbook and ALPHAbook lines, respectively.
The summer of 1995 was a significant turning point in the history of notebook computing. In August of that year Microsoft introduced Windows 95. It was the first time that Microsoft had placed much of the power management control in the operating system. Prior to this point each brand used custom BIOS, drivers and in some cases, ASICs, to optimize the battery life of its machines. This move by Microsoft was controversial in the eyes of notebook designers because it greatly reduced their ability to innovate; however, it did serve its role in simplifying and stabilizing certain aspects of notebook design.
Windows 95 also ushered in the importance of the CD-ROM drive in mobile computing, and initiated the shift to the Intel Pentium processor as the base platform for notebooks. The Gateway Solo was the first notebook introduced with a Pentium processor and a CD-ROM. Also featuring a removable hard disk drive and floppy drive, the Solo was the first three-spindle (optical, floppy, and hard disk drive) notebook computer, and was extremely successful within the consumer segment of the market. In roughly the same time period the Dell Latitude,Toshiba Satellite, and IBM ThinkPad were reaching great success with Pentium-based two-spindle (hard disk and floppy disk drive) systems directed toward the corporate market.
Improved technology- As technology improved during the 1990s, the usefulness and popularity of laptops increased. Correspondingly prices went down. Several developments specific to laptops were quickly implemented, improving usability and performance. Among them were:
- Improved battery technology. The heavy lead-acid batteries were replaced with lighter and more efficient technologies, first nickel cadmium or NiCd, then nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and then lithium ion battery and lithium polymer.
- Power-saving processors. While laptops in 1991 were limited to the 80286 processor because of the energy demands of the more powerful 80386, the introduction of the Intel 386SL processor, designed for the specific power needs of laptops, marked the point at which laptop needs were included in CPU design. The 386SL integrated a 386SX core with a memory controller and this was paired with an I/O chip to create the SL chipset. It was more integrated than any previous solution although its cost was higher. It was heavily adopted by the major notebook brands of the time. Intel followed this with the 486SL chipset which used the same architecture. However, Intel had to abandon this design approach as it introduced its Pentium series. Early versions of the mobile Pentium required TAB mounting (also used in LCD manufacturing) and this initially limited the number of companies capable of supplying notebooks. However, Intel did eventually migrate to more standard chip packaging. One limitation of notebooks has always been the difficulty in upgrading the processor which is a common attribute of desktops. Intel did try to solve this problem with the introduction of the MMC for mobile computing. The MMC was a standard module upon which the CPU and external cache memory could sit. It gave the notebook buyer the potential to upgrade his CPU at a later date, eased the manufacturing process somewhat, and was also used in some cases to skirt U.S. import duties as the CPU could be added to the chassis after it arrived in the U.S. Intel stuck with MMC for a few generations but ultimately could not maintain the appropriate speed and data integrity to the memory subsystem through the MMC connector.
- Improved liquid crystal displays, in particular active-matrix TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) LCD technology. Early laptop screens were black and white, blue and white, or grayscale, STN (Super Twist Nematic) passive-matrix LCDs prone to heavy shadows, ghosting and blurry movement (some portable computer screens were sharper monochrome plasma displays, but these drew too much current to be powered by batteries). Color STN screens were used for some time although their viewing quality was poor. By about 1991, two new color LCD technologies hit the mainstream market in a big way; Dual STN and TFT. The Dual STN screens solved many of the viewing problems of STN at a very affordable price and the TFT screens offered excellent viewing quality although initially at a steep price. DSTN continued to offer a significant cost advantage over TFT until the mid-90s before the cost delta dropped to the point that DSTN was no longer used in notebooks. Improvements in production technology meant displays became larger, sharper, had higher native resolutions, faster response time and could display color with great accuracy, making them an acceptable substitute for a traditional CRT monitor.
- Improved storage technology. Early laptops and portables had only floppy disk drives. As thin, high-capacity hard disk drives with higher reliability and shock resistance and lower power consumption became available, users could store their work on laptop computers and take it with them. The3.5" HDD was created initially as a response to the needs of notebook designers that needed smaller, lower power consumption products. With continuing pressure to shrink the notebook size even further, the 2.5" HDD was introduced. One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) and other new laptops useFlash RAM (non volatile, non mechanical memory device) instead of the mechanical hard disk.
- Improved connectivity. Internal modems and standard serial, parallel, and PS/2 ports on IBM PC-compatible laptops made it easier to work away from home; the addition of network adapters and, from 1997, USB, as well as, from 1999, Wi-Fi, made laptops as easy to use with peripherals as a desktop computer. Many newer laptops are also available with built-in 3G Broadband wireless modems.
- Other peripherals may include:
- an integrated video camera for video communication
- a fingerprint sensor for implementing a restriction of access to a sensitive data or the computer itself.
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