Review of Prolinear PS-3000 Mininote Palmtop

Bob, our affectionate name for our PS-3000, has performed well over the past 10 months. He has had his keys punched above 4000 meters in the Nepal Himalayas, hiked with us in downpours in a Malaysia Jungles (in a ziplock bag), and seen the Arctic Ocean at the tip of Norway. His average use has been roughly two hours per day and in that time we have had no problems. Bob was purchased from Gene Ruecker at Prolinear Corporation in Santa Anita, CA. He was the second in the line of Bob's, the first had system problems which caused fatal crashes and lock ups. We searched in vein for the culprit of these crashes, but, after a month, gave up and traded him in for a replacement while we were in Los Angeles. Our new Bob is problem free.

The PS-3000 fills a niche between the Sharp Wizards and HP 200LX computers and the larger palmtops such as the Gateway Handbooks, and smaller subnotebooks, like the HP600C.We chose it because of it's extended battery life on 4 AA batteries (10 hours), small size (about the size of a video cassette), and light weight (2.5 pounds). But there are disadvantages: A CGA LCD non-backlit screen, a reduced size keyboard, and no inexpensive means of mass storage such as a hard drive. I have discussed each aspect of the PS-3000 below.

Processor

The 386SXLV processor running at 25 MHZ is sufficient for most DOS applications. We installed Compuserve Information Manager & Quicken 8 and were not dissapointed in speed. Windows 3.1 and Windows applications may reduce performance. The PS-3000 uses Flash RAM for storage eliminating a hard drive bottleneck and improving overall system speed.

Internal Memory

The PS-3000 has 2.5 MB ROM for storing the MS-DOS 5.0 operating system and the built in software applications. It comes with a choice of 2 MB or 4 MB internal RAM which can be used to run programs or be allocated for RAM Disk. The 2 MB version allows allocation up to 1 MB of RAM Disk. The 4 MB version allows up to 3 MB. This RAM Disk is protected by a lithium backup battery which will save the data in the event the main batteries die. However if the computer lock-ups, you could still lose all that was in RAM Disk. An alternative, and perhaps better solution would be to opt for the 2 MB RAM and spend extra $200 on a bigger Flash Card (a more reliable storage medium). Windows 3.1 or applications requiring more than 2 MB, of course warrant the 4 MB RAM version. Note that at the time I bought my PS-3000, I was told I could upgrade from 2 MB to 4 MB, but this would require swapping for a new computer as there is no RAM socket.

Weight and Size

The weight of the PS-3000 makes it an ideal choice for travelers. The manufacturer's claim at only 1.2 pounds is increased by 0.5 pounds when the case is added. Batteries add 0.2 pounds, flash card: 0.1 pounds, internal modem (0.4 pounds, 500 milliamp wall adaptor: 0.65 pounds, pc-link cable: 0.15 pounds, RJ-11 6 foot line: 0.1 pounds, bringing the total to 3.3 pounds; still light. The minimum useable weight would include the computer, case, and batteries for a total of 1.9 pounds. If you are not using alot of power hungry devices such as a floppy drive, then asking for the 500 milliamp adaptor (lighter and smaller than the 1 amp adaptor) will lighten the weight..

The PS-3000 is 9.5"x4.6"x1.25" (2 inches wider than a video cassette). It doesn't take up a lot of space and is small enough to toss in briefcases, or in our case, a backpack..

Video

The video screen is perhaps the weakest point of the PS-3000. The screen is a 640x200 Dual Scan Super Twist B/W LCD 80x25 16 Gray Scale display with CGA emulation and is not back lit. The viewing area is 2.75"x7", and there is no external video capability.

Because it is not back lit, it is difficult at times to see where the cursor is. When using the built in Microsoft Works program, the cursor is a flashing block and is fairly easy to find, but other programs, where the cursor is a flashing underscore produces eye strain. Due to the small screen size, we tended to hunch while using it. CGA screens limit what software can be run on a system. I am able to run Quicken for DOS, DosLynx, and Compuserve Information Manager for DOS, but with the introduction of Windows 95, no new updates to these programs are expected.

Keyboard

The keyboard size measures in at 78% of a standard model. Although it takes getting use, larger fingers may have more difficulty, we have learned to type at regular keyboard speed. The keyboard layout is standard QWERTY 82 Key Touch Type with a row of function keys across the top. For our computer it took time for the keyboard to break in; some of the keys were sticky at first.

Pointing Device

Although there is no pointing device built into the PS-3000, a serial mouse could be installed.

External Ports

In addition to a 9 pin RS-232 serial port, there is a 25 pin Parallel port. Both are easily accessible on the back of the case.

PCMCIA Slots

There are two Type II PCMCIA slots, one on each side of the PS-3000.

Floppy Drive

The PS-3000 can support an external floppy drive. Our method for transferring files between PC's was MS DOS PC File Exchange programs: Interlnk.exe and Intersvr.exe (included in the software) using the serial port and the supplied cable.

Hard Drive

There was no hard drive available when we bought our PS-3000. It is likely that a PCMCIA Type II HD (when available) will work.

Flash Card Storage

The main storage device for the PS-3000 is the Flash Card. With 2 PCMCIA Type II slots, plenty of Flash storage can be utilized. We purchased a 10 MB Flash card from SunDisk at a cost of $400. According to Prolinear 1 Gigabyte Flash cards will soon be on the market which would greatly increase storage capacity and allow the loading and running of large windows applications and databases.

Battery Life

The PS-3000 uses 4 AA batteries for the main power source, and one lithium backup battery. The battery life depends on system usage. We have found it varies greatly. Prolinear claims 4 Alkaline batteries will last 10 to 20 hours. (They recommend using only Duracel or Energizer batteries.) With our internal modem installed but off, we have been able to get up to 10 hours of run time.

Because the internal modem consumes power even when it is off, it might be wiser to purchase a PCMCIA modem card, which can be pulled out, instead. With the modem continually on, we get only 2 hours of battery life. The internal modem offered is 2400 baud with a 9600 FAX. Since our main form of communication is via an Acoustic Coupler over Pay Phones, the 2400 speed was adequate. If you plan on connecting via private line, a 14.4 kps modem would be faster.

Note that an installed Flash Card will also consumes battery power, however, I was never able to get a clear answer on how much it affects battery life.

Furthermore, although the PS-3000 may be turned off, it will still consume battery power to maintain the internal RAM. This means that after 1 to 2 weeks of sitting idle, the batteries will run dead. Prolinear recommends you plug the computer in while it is not in use. This of course wasn't feasible for two backpackers.

For us, the best mode of operation was to completely power down the machine with each use; ie: remove the backup battery as well. We store everything on Flash Card. Most often we use a car adaptor plug or wall adaptor. Last option is the 4 AA batteries. Since the default config.sys and autoexec.bat files are used when the machine is rebooted from scratch, I created a file called A.BAT on the Flash card which, when run, reconfigures these files. To use the built in Personal Information Manager software in this mode, you would have to export the data to Flash Disk before leaving the program and import it back in when you want to use it again.

Warning messages appear on the screen in the event that the main batteries and/or backup battery are low.

Operating System

The PS-3000 has MS-DOS 5.0 built into ROM. Windows 3.1 can be run with special CGA drivers which Prolinear can provide.

Software Applications

The built in Microsoft Works 2.00A Rom Edition contains a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database, and a communications program. The word processor contains a spell checker.

The Personal Information Software includes planner, to do list, business card, file manager and calculator.

PC-Link programs, Intersvr.exe and Interlnk.exe for exchanging files with DOS computers via the RS-232 serial port, are included.

Price

All this compactness doesn't come cheap considering you can buy far more powerful machines for less money. The current advertised price as of July 1996 is $895. We paid $995 and Prolinear threw in the modem free. With the extra 2 MB of RAM ($200) and the SunDisk 10 MB flash card ($400) our total came close to $1600; a hefty price for a 386 computer.

Specification Summary

CPU: 386SXLV 25 MHZ
Internal Memory: 2.5 MB ROM, 2 MB RAM or 4 MB RAM
Dimensions: 9.5"x4.6"x1.25"
Weight: Manufactures 1.2 Pounds, Minimum Travel Weight 1.9 pounds (Computer, Case, Batteries)
Video: 640x200 Dual Scan Super Twist B/W LCD 80x25 16 Shade Grey Scale, CGA Emulation, 2.75"x7" Viewing Area
External Video Support: None
Keyboard: 78% Standard Size 82 Key Touch Type
External Ports: 1 9 Pin RS-232 Serial, 1 25 Pin Parallel
PCMCIA: 2 Type II Slots on opposing ends.
Floppy Drive: Optional PCMCIA Type II
Hard Drive: None
Flash Disk: Flash Disk for PCMCIA Type II
Power Source: 4 AA Batteries, Car or Wall Adaptor (9V)
Battery Life: 10 hours (w/ installed Modem off)
AC Adaptor: 9V 500 milliamp or 9V 1 amp
Operating System: DOS 5.0 in ROM
Software in ROM: Microsoft Works 2.00A, Personal Information Manager, PC-Link

Recommendations

The PS-3000 is a good machine to buy if unlimited battery life (by replacing 4 AA batteries), weight, and compactness are your primary concerns and you only need to run software applications under MS-DOS. The PS-3000 fills the niche between the lighter and smaller Sharp Wizards and HP 200LXs, which have extremely long battery life but miniscule keyboards and limiting OS; and the larger and heavier Palmtops and Subnotebooks which have full VGA screens, hard drives, Windows OS, and short battery lifes.