First 80 char x 25 line laptop/notebook?

[tezza]

What computer would folk consider to be the first example of the "clamshell"-type notebooks we use today?

I don't mean the first LCD laptop portables, like the Epson HX-20 or TRS-80 Model 100, or even the limited LCD display units where the screen does fold over like the Epson PX-8.

No, I mean the first laptop to have an 80 x 25 line full blown (Plasma?) screen in it's lid. A screen that emulated that on a PC-DOS/MS-DOS or a CP/M machine. (I'm assuming this machine I'm seeking the name of had one of these two OSs).

Who was first?

Tez

 

[tezza]

On doing some further research, perhaps it was the Grid Compass from 1982? Not MS-DOS or CM/P but certainly a clam-shell shape with a full sized screen. Just goes to show you shouldn't assume anything when it comes to this old technology

Ok, now that I know that piece of information maybe I'll refine the question.

What was the first full-screen, clam-shell MS-DOS and/or CP/M Laptop?

Tez

 

[EvanK]

I'm tired and have other stuff on my mind right now, so this reply will be incomplete.

A few thoughts:

In 1982, the MicroOffice Roadrunner had a custom but CP/M-compatible OS. So that answers part of the question posed. But its screen was only 80x8.

By 1983-1984 there were several clamshells available -- later model Grids, Tandy 200, Gavilan, Sharp PC-5000, IBM 5140, HP 110, etc. -- I'd have to double-check their display specs but I don't believe any had 80x25 screens.

Different story by 1985. HP-110 Plus, Toshiba T-1100, various models from AT&T / Sharp / etc. all had "modern" LCD screens.

Something must've happened to seriously advance the size and cost of LCDs in 1984-1985. I plan to cover this in my book. LCDs also advanced in handheld devices in 1985. Up to and including 1984, all of the handheld screens were one-line or two-line deals. During and after 1985, all of the handheld screens were larger LCDs. The first handheld that I could find in this trend is the Casio FX-7000G -- the first graphing calculator.