Watch Out For High Speed Notebooks
The Age
Wednesday August 24, 1994
HANKER for a notebook PC with near-supercomputer power? Stand by for the first notebooks to feature Intel's high-performance Pentium processor - previously reserved for the most powerful desktop machines.
Toshiba and IBM will be among the first companies to announce Pentium- powered notebook computers within the next few weeks.
The zippy mobile PCs should be on sale in Australia during the final quarter of the year, although supplies could be tight and prices are not likely to be cheap.
Local prices have not yet been set but buyers are unlikely to get much change from $10,000.
The processor in question is a new version of the Pentium, which will run at a clock speed of 75 megahertz. Its internal workings operate at 3.3 volts instead of the 5 volts of the current 60 and 66-MHz Pentiums used in desktop PCs.
This not only saves energy - a vital consideration in battery-powered notebook PCs - but reduces the heat problems that have plagued the Pentium and prevented its use in the confined spaces of mobile PCs until now.
It is also said to be cheaper to produce, leading to speculation that Intel will promote use of the 75-MHz Pentium for desktop machines next year.
Indeed some observers believe it will become the mainstream chip for use in business, ousting the 486 processors, which currently dominate corporate sales.
Intel has been facing increased competition in the 486 market, with the emergence of low-priced 486-type processors from rivals AMD and Cyrix.
Its current Pentium models have not been a great success in the marketplace.
Over the past few months Pentium-based desktop machines have been outsold by Apple's Power Macintoshes, which use the high-performance PowerPC chip developed jointly by IBM, Apple and Motorola.
However, Apple has had to delay plans to put the PowerPC into portable Macs, after the first energy-saving 3.3-volt versions proved too slow to emulate the older Motorola 68000 series of chips, vital if the PowerPC machines are to run software developed for the older Macs.
Chip prices generally, including those of the Pentium, are expected to crash next year as Intel brings massive new plants on line and turns up the heat on its competitors.
US observers are tipping 75-MHz Pentium desktop machines to sell in the US in mid-1995 for around $US1500. Based on past experience, that suggests likely Australian prices in the $2500-3000 range.
But high-end notebooks will be seeing it first. IBM is reported to be planning to introduce the 75MHz processor to its ThinkPad 750 series of notebook computers in October.
The 750 ThinkPads will also sport active-matrix color screens and a choice of 340, 540 or 800-megabyte hard drives: an astounding development considering 20 and 40meg hard drives were the standard for notebook PCs just a couple of years ago.
A 64-bit video accelerator chip will allow the ThinkPads to run full- motion video at 30 frames a second: a development that will make them highly desirable for high-level business presentations - or maybe as executive toys capable of screening the Melbourne Cup.
MOVING office premises, or refurbishing your existing office accommodation? It's common in these days of corporate downsizing and business ``re-engineering" (the current euphemisms for widespread sackings).
While those who have lost their jobs head for counselling sessions, the survivors often have to relocate or refurbish. Reckon Software says it has the key to minimising disruption: Workspace Planning, a new program for Windows PCs, that will design and manage your new office space.
No need to call in expensive designers or architects. Just feed in the dimensions and Workspace Planning will create accurate scaled floor plans.
Move scaled drawings of office furniture - plucked from a supplied library of clip art - around to your heart's content. Workspace Planning will take account of all aspects, including computer networks, phone cabling and electrical installations.
It will even calculate just how much cable you will need and what it will cost.
Built-in management reports keep track of office equipment, network facilities, software, partitioning, furniture and even human resources ... what we used to call people.
You will need a 386 or better PC, equipped with Windows and at least 2 megabytes of random access memory. Workspace Planning is available from major retail stores and computer retailers for a recommended $249.
Further information from Reckon Software on (02) 562 7900.
DIGITAL Equipment Corp (DEC) has slashed prices of its personal computers by up to $2500, or 36 per cent. The company is undergoing a massive global shakeup in the wake of losses running into billions of dollars.
While best known for its mini-computers - corporate machines half-way between personal computers and mainframes - DEC has been having increasing success in penetrating the PC market. The company is proud of its Australian plant, which assembles PCs from Asian-sourced components.
Prices of Digital PCs now leave major brands and many clone manufacturers behind, says Ralph Stadus, DEC director of PC business.
Digital's cheapest PC, the 433SX system, now starts at $1225 in basic trim. The LPX 433DX has been slashed 24 per cent to $1850.
© 1994 The Age
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