Dynabook Technologies Corp, a new company founded by industry veterans John Doerr, Vinod Khosla and Dan Wilkie, has caused something of a stir with launch of its first line of products the Dynabook 286 laptop computer system (CI No 1,202). The Dynabook central processor module weighs in at just 6.4 lbs, and measures 1.4 by 13.6 by 11 – in other words its about the size of an average three-ring binder. The supertwist, blue mode, electroluminescent, non-glare, backlit liquid crystal display, at only 0.3, is claimed to be the thinnest display on the market, while having the largest diagonal viewing area of any fully integrated system – 11 – and adds only 2.3 lbs to the system’s weight. The machine is fully configured to be used as a desk-top computer, and with the flick of two latches, connects all cabling associated with up to nine input-output interface connections to its optional docking module. The docking module is as petite as the computer. It measures 1.7 by 13.6 by 4. The Dynabook system motherboard supports the whole of the system as well as the peripheral electronics. The microprocessor is a 16MHz 80C286, and the motherboard also incorporates a video graphics array with up to 32 shades of grey (blue, surely) and a 640 by 480 pixel resolution. An optional 2,400 baud modem also plugs into the motherboard. An optional 12MHz 80287 maths co-processor is also supported. Dynabook 286 is modular, consisting of four basic units: the base computer or central processor with keyboard, the display, the battery, and the docking module. Because of its modular design the central processor can function with or without the other modules. The display attaches directly to the central processor or it can function as a remote module if used with the optional display extender cable. The nine input output interfaces include two asynchronous serial RS-232 ports for connecting a printer or plotter, a parallel printer port, two six-pin mini-DIN connectors, one for an external keyboard, the other for a mouse, two RJ-11C telephone jacks to operate the internal modem, a 15-pin external video graphics array monitor connector, and a 104-pin AT bus expansion connector. Made of lightweight Magnesium, the casing is designed for the smallest possible form factor and durability. The keyboard also features a custom, innovative design: it is a desktop-size 85-key keyboard with full-travel keys. The rear door panel, when open, positions the computer at an optional angle for typing, or when elevated height is desired. Light emitting diode indicators are provided to remind the user what mode the computer is in at any given time. There are six basic models of the Dynabook computer system: the 286/1, with a single 3.5 1.44Mb microfloppy disk drive, priced at $4,695, and the Dynabook 286/1A, without the liquid crystal display priced at $3,695; the Dynabook 286/20, with a 20Mb fixed disk drive, priced at $5,195, and the Dynabook 286/20A, without the liquid crystal display, priced at $4,195; and, finally, the Dynabook 286/40, with a 40Mb fixed disk drive, priced at $5,795, and the Dynabook 286/40A, without (yep you guessed it) the liquid crystal display, priced at $4,795. ComputerLand Corp will distribute the machines under an initial order put at over $6m – the largest initial order ever given by ComputerLand to a new vendor.
