🚀 go-pugleaf

> I would like to put together a proposal for using a laptop computer to
> run automated tests.  The basic setup would be the PC sending commands
> and recieving data over a RS232 port and either sending results over
> another RS232 port or logging it to some mass storage.  The RS232 port
> should be capable of at least 9600 baud, and the mass storage writable
> with at least 100k bytes free.

The Zenith Z-171 is a 15-lb portable with a back-lit LCD display and two
5 1/4-inch floppies and an 80C88 running MS-DOS.  I looked at one over
the weekend and it looks pretty good.  For about $2000, discounted, you
get a parallel and a serial interface and 256K.  It can be expanded to
640K and a board can be added to support a color monitor.  Zenith also
makes a diskless true laptop which looks pretty nice.  The Sharp
PC-7000 is a bit heavier, but otherwise similar to the Z-171, but it
costs about $500 less.  I hope to look at one later this week.  If
anyone on the net has had experience with either of these computers, I
would like to hear of their experiences.  The IRS is buying 30-50,000
Z-171's, so they should be around for awhile.  The March "Mini-Micro
Systems" magazine has an article which tabulates the currently available
portables, though there is more information in the ads.  The Quadram
Datavue (also mentioned in the April Byte) looks interesting but only
has a single disk drive.

HELP:  Does anybody have schematics or a service manual for a Columbia
(rest in peace) VP luggable PC clone.  While unsuccessfully trying to
install an expansion board in mine, I munged something, possibly only the
(undocumented) sense switches on the mother board.  An EE friend with PC
experience has volunteered to look at it, but I'd like to be able to
provide him with some graphical aids.  I know the VP is not quite the
same as the desktop Columbias.

			-Doug Mink
			 Harvard-Smihsonian Center for Astrophysics
			 Cambridge Massachusetts
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