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TANDY'S NEW LAPTOP IS A WINNER
by Renato Reyes
SYSOP: Tandy Professional Forum
Tandy Corporation announced its new MS-DOS laptop computer today. The
LT1400 is a 13.5 lb. computer that has 768K of memory, two front-
mounted 720K 3.5" disk drives, and a NEC V20 CPU running at 7.16 MHz.
The display is a backlit supertwist LCD that must be seen to be
believed. Text on the display is a crisp blue on grey, and is readable
at roughly 60 degrees or more to either side. Text is also readable
when scrolling, something heretofore unseen on LCD displays. The
display has a 640x200 pixel resolution (80x25 text) and a 1:1.4 aspect
ratio.
The keyboard has a slightly mushy feel, but has excellent tactile
feedback. The twelve function keys are arranged along the top. Several
keys perform dual functions in lieu of a dedicated numeric keypad.
Indicator lights show power, disk drive activity, num lock and scroll
lock state.
The LT1400 comes standard with serial and parallel ports, as well as
RGBI and composite display outputs. An external disk drive port is also
included (the LT 1400 can boot off of the external drive if necessary).
A unique feature is the external keyboard port, which allows the 101-key
enhanced keyboard to be directly plugged in and used if you don't like
what came with the laptop.
The LT 1400 uses rechargeable batteries that are rated at 4 hours of
continuous use. However, the batteries are designed to be replaceable,
and changing batteries involves merely opening the battery compartment
on top of the computer, removing the battery pack and popping in a new
one. A "keep-alive" circuit keeps memory refreshed during this
operation so that no work is lost. Low power is indicated by a warning
beep when 30 to 45 minutes of power remain. Thereafter the beeps become
more insistent until finally the machine shuts down.
Unlike the ill-fated Tandy 600, the LT 1400 has a carrying handle, and a
soft carrying case is available as an option. Another option for the
LT1400 is an internal 1200 baud modem. Third party 2400 baud modems and
hard drives are expected to become available presently.
The LT 1400 is priced at $1599, and additional battery packs are $79.95
each. The computer is expected to be in Radio Shack stores nationwide
by November of this year.
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If you got the brochures mailed by Tandy and saw the photograph of the
LT1400 on the back page, you may have been tempted to think that the
display had a "simulated picture." It isn't simulated, it's the actual
display ... the text shows up that crisply.
No doubt about it, this machine is a winner. Its excellent display and
keyboard put it up there with the best of the laptops. Although the
weight is more than ideal, that doesn't take away any of its usability.
With an internal modem installed, it's the perfect computer for people
on the go. And with an RGBI monitor it'll serve as a desktop machine
just as easily. Expect this computer to sell fast and be in short supply
for a while. My reaction when I saw it was, "GIMME!" I expect a lot of
other people will be reacting the same way when they see the LT1400.
Wayne's reactions: The first words out of my mouth were "WHEN DO I GET
MINE!" - this machine had a display that appears better than any I've
seen on any comparable laptop (and I had a chance to see most of them
during the COMDEX Atlanta show earlier this year). It is so sharp and
crisp and the acceptable viewing angles so great that it's unreal. 2
pounds heavier than the present laptop I'm using, I'm not wild about the
extra weight, but between that and the slight 'boxiness' that the folded-
up machine exhibits (which is an advantage if you want to set something
ON it - it shouldn't slide off) those are about the only disadvantages
that I can see. Having dragged first a Model 100 around the world, and
then another MS-DOS laptop, I've got the feeling that this one is going
to come out the best winner of the bunch announced on this 10th
anniversary.