Notebooks: everything you want in a computer and less
Elizabeth Greenfield · T.H.E. Journal Technological Horizons in Education · 1992
The old adage, bigger the better, may be true of many things, however technology is not one of them. Miniaturization is the key--make the product smaller and more convenient yet still retain all the features users require. From mainframes to personal computers to laptops, the latest in reliable portable computing is the notebook computer. Where a 15pound laptop was once considered chic, now six-pound notebooks are the norm. The best part is that all the features of laptops--and then some have been miniaturized as well, empowering notebooks and their users. * Standard Features Another technology truism is don't blink. Usually a half-step behind their bigger brothers in technology adoption, notebooks at the 386SX level are increasingly common. Notebooks in general weigh around or under seven pounds and are equipped with 1MB or 2MB of RAM, which can be expanded upon request. Screen size varies from 8.5 to 10 in diameter, however virtually all boast VGA resolutions in up to 32 levels of grey. Expect to find one 1.44MB floppy disk drive. Anticipating the needs of notebook users, manufacturers are offering increasing storage capacity; many units can be outfitted with 120MB hard drives. In addition, upgradeability is given great consideration, as evidenced by the inclusion of serial and parallel ports, external monitor ports, and ports for connecting external keypads and mice. Some have a sharper eye towards the future, offering 2400-baud internal modems with send-fax capabilities as options. Richard Goblirsch, a math professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., purchased a Notebook+ from ZEOS International, Ltd. The 386SX-based notebook weighs 6.6 pounds including the battery and is loaded with features like 8MB of RAM, a 60MB hard drive, a math coprocessor and an internal 2400-baud modem. Goblirsch and another professor share the unit, delivering in-class demonstrations via an LCD panel and overhead projector. The notebook is a much handier solution than the department's previous computer-on-a-cart. Says Goblirsch, have Quattro Pro on the machine plus Phaser, an illustration program for dynamic systems. We plan to get Mathematica and MathCAD as well. Currently the Notebook+ is used in Mathematical Sampler, a lowerdivision math class; Discreet Mathematics; and Dynamical Systems. This fall Linear Algebra and Calculus courses will also benefit. Another 386SX notebook vendor, Radio Shack, introduced the Tandy 3820 HD notebook early this year. The 20-MHz system has a removeable NiCad battery that runs for three hours; it recharges in two hours. Particularly noteworthy is the unit's software--MS-DOS Version 5.0 and Windows 3.0 are pre-installed on a 60MB hard drive. Radio Shack also manufacturers more basic models. The technology mentor at Warren T. Eich Intermediate School, John Sorenson oversaw the purchase of approximately 53 Tandy 1100 FDs. These 8-MHz laptops weigh less than 6.5 pounds (putting them in notebook range) and are equipped with a floppy but no hard drive. MS-DOS 3.3, the DeskMate Desktop, DeskMate's TEXT word processor and a 90,000-word spell checker are pre-loaded in read-only memory (ROM). Students with writing difficulties use the notebooks during language- arts instruction. According to Soren- son, the units are used all day and are recharged at night. Simplicity was a big selling point. [Students] turn it on and hit enter and they're in the word processor, he explains. Four 1100 FDs are located in 13 classrooms, with one each in the studies skills room, computer lab, library and alternative learning center. Students have their own floppy disk, which they use to store papers, lessons and other activities. The computers rotate among the incoming students as eighth graders graduate. Other students use the notebooks when they are not being used by the targeted students. …