Zenith Data Systems, soon to be part of Bull SA, has released two new machines to the UK market, and enhanced its SupersPort 286E and TurbosPort. The new notebook personal computer, the MinisPort, weighs less than 6 lbs, has a switchable 8MHz-4.77MHz 80C88 microprocesser, 1Mb or 2Mb of memory, 640Kb RAM for MS-DOS 3.3 up, and a 720Kb 2 internal floppy. It also offers an additional 360Kb or 1.36Mb memory as solid state secondary store and LIM expanded memory. The four Input-Output connections are a 9-pin RS2323C personal computer-compatible serial port, a 25-pin personal computer-compatible parallel port, an RGBi CGA video connector, and a connector for 2, 3.5, or 5.25 external floppy drive. The machine has an non-backlit reflective LCD screen, and comes with a rechargeable Nickel Cadmium battery pack that is claimed to provide up to three hours’ use. The 1Mb model will be available by early January, the 2Mb by late October, and they will cost UKP1,200 and UKP1,500 respectively. The other new addition is the battery-powered Supersport SX. It uses Intel’s 16MHz 80386SX microprocessor, has 1Mb RAM expandable to 8Mb, a 40Mb or 100Mb hard disk drive, and a 1.44Mb 3.5 floppy disk drive. It also has a rechargeable NiCad battery, and runs under MS-DOS 3.3 up. The Supersport SX is avail able from late November, and the 40Mb and 100Mb versions cost UKP4,555 and UKP5,075 respectively. Zenith has upgraded its Supersport 286 to the 286e, and it now supports up to 16 grey scales, has a 16-bit fast video interface, a bright mode VGA black and white LCD display, uses a 12MHz switchable to 6MHz 80286 microprocessor, and 20Mb or 40Mb one-to-one interleave hard disk drives from Conner Peripherals. The NiCad battery pack provides four hours computing, and the input-output connections include serial and parallel ports, a connector for a 5.25 external floppy, and a connector for a three-slot expansion box for desktop use. Also available in late November, the 20Mb version costs UKP3,555, and the 40Mb machine is UKP4,000. The other enhancement from Zenith is its TurbosPort 386e. It has a 10MHz or 20MHz 80386 microprocessor, serial, parallel, and VGA video ports, up to 3Mb RAM, and a 40Mb one-to-one interleave hard disk drive. It will be available in the first quarter of 1990 and cost UKP5,215. Zenith plans to release an 80486-based machine, but say it will probably be in the second half of 1990. As regards the situation vis-a-vis Groupe Bull, the $635m offer has still to be approved by Zenith shareholders, but the company anticipates general approval. However, an interesting codicil still to be resolved, is Zenith’s backing of the forthcoming EISA bus, which conflicts with the soon-to-be parent company’s firm commitment to IBM’s MicroChannel architecture.
