09/04/88 Comparison of Toshiba 3100 and Zenith SupersPort 286 Laptop Computers ------------------------------------------------------- c1988 by Maria L. Langer Introduction: ------------ I am, by profession, an accountant, and currently work in the Internal Audit department of a major US corporation. Currently, the entire audit profession is moving toward automation. Audit-related software is being developed and auditors are being issued laptop computers so that they can bring their latest audit tools out on the road with them. In my company, auditors travel from 40 to 60 percent of their time, and cover over 50 locations in the US. To shorten an already long story, we have been researching and purchasing laptop computers for staff members. Our requirements for machines were, at a minimum, the following: o Hard disk of at least 10 megabytes o Internal memory (RAM) of 640k or better o Easy to read screen (straight LCD was out of the question!) o Weight under 20 pounds o Size small enough to fit under airline seat o Ability to accept internal modem (to be purchased later as an add-on) o 99 percent or better IBM compatibility o numeric keypad In May or June, we purchased the Toshiba 3100 model 20. In August, after additional research of available options, we purchased the Zenith SupersPort 286. Specifications: -------------- Standard Features TOSHIBA ZENITH ------------------- ------- ------ Processor 80286 80286 Clock Speed 8MHz 12/6 MHz Operating System MS-DOS MS-DOS Memory (RAM) 640K 1MB Fixed Disk Drive 20MB 20MB Floppy Disk Drive 3.5" 720K 3.5" 1.4MB Video Display Gas Plasma Electroluminescent Backlit LCD Character Display 25 lines x 80 char. 25 lines x 80 char. Graphics Display 640 x 400 pixel 640 x 400 pixel CGA Double CGA Keyboard 81-Key 79-Key Date/Time Support Clock & Calendar Clock & Calendar Power AC (int. adapter) AC adapter/charger Battery not available 48 WHr NiCad * Size 12"W x 3"H x 14"D 12"W x 3"H x 12"D * Weight 15 lbs 10.5 lbs * Carrying Case standard optional Optional Features ------------------- Expandable Memory to 2.6 MB to 2 MB Disk Drive 5.25" 360K 5.25" 360K Hayes Comp. Modem 1200/300 bps 2400/1200/300 bps Numeric Keypad 15-Key detatchable 24-Key detatchable * - Size and weight exclude detatchable battery pack: Size with Battery 12"W x 3"H x 15"D Weight With Battery 14.5 lbs Which is Better? ---------------- I have been asked on several occasions and by several people to give my opinion on which machine I think is "better". I still, after several weeks of using both, cannot decide. There are certain aspects of each machine that I like and dislike and certain areas where one machine is can be thought of as better than the other. A summary of these may be helpful to those considering a purchase of one or the other. Size and Weight --------------- Both machines are small and lightweight, although the Zenith is slightly larger with the battery pack attached. (For some reason, the Zenith "feels" heavier, too, although specifications show this is not possible.) Both will fit comfortably under airplane seats. Their carrying cases are sufficiently designed and padded to allow easy packing of the machines and accessories. The Zenith's case also includes a large outer pocket that can accommodate additional items. Although I have not tried it yet, I am willing to bet that a Diconix printer will fit inside it. Power ----- The Zenith includes a detatchable battery pack while the Toshiba depends upon AC power to operate. The Zenith's battery pack makes the computer even more portable; it can be used on airplanes and trains and can be moved from one location to another without needing to be powered down. The disadvantage of this, however, is the fact that the power cord requires an AC adapter which, although lightweight, is bulky and takes up much of the space in the carrying case's outer pocket. The Toshiba's adapter is internal and its power cord is nothing more than an easy to pack cord. Screen Visibility ----------------- Both machines have relatively bright and easy to read screens. I feel, however, that the Toshiba's gas plasma display is a little better than the Zenith's backlit supertwist LCD. The Toshiba's screen does get quite hot when left on for long periods of time while the Zenith's remains cooler. Although both claim to be CGA compatible (whatever that means), they often display the same programs differently. TotalWord, the word processor we use, is a perfect example. On the Toshiba, page break bars are not visible and text, when highlighted by the program for underlining or boldfacing, completely disappears from the screen. On the Zenith, page break bars and highlighted text appear faintly (entirely acceptable) but blocks of text highlighted for copying, deleting, etc. are completely shaded out. In both cases, attempts to save a reconfiguration of the software for monochrome screens have been unsuccessful and we have concluded that the software is at fault. Still, it makes processing on either machine with this program somewhat of a pain. This isn't the only example: we have similar problems with graphics on some games, although complaining to our boss about that is probably not a very good idea. Keyboards --------- The Toshiba's keyboard is relatively comfortable; keys are placed in logical positions, similar to those on the IBM PC XT and AT. Arrow keys are separate from Home, End, PgDn, and PgUp keys. The ESC key is located at the upperleftmost position. The Zenith's keyboard, on the other hand, is, in my opinion, somewhat awkward. Arrows and Home, End, PgDn, and PgUp share four keys; a FN key is used like a shift key to toggle from one to the other. The ESC key is under the F1 key; as a result, I consistently call up Lotus's help menu when trying to ESC from other functions. On both machines, pseudo-keypad is available by using the NumLock key in combination with the usual group of letter keys. The Zenith has NumLock and CapLock indicator lights while the Toshiba does not. Although the Zenith keypad is on order, we haven't yet received it and I am unable to comment on it. It does, however, have nine more keys than the Toshiba's and thus promises to be more comfortable to use. Speed, Memory, and Disk Operation --------------------------------- Both machines are reasonably fast at both disk accessing and processing information, although the Zenith is noticeably faster. (I have performed crude side by side "races".) The Zenith has 1 MB onboard RAM while the Toshiba has only 640 K (although both are expandable). Both machines have 20 MB hard disks and 3-1/2" floppy disks, but the Zenith's floppy is a high capacity drive able to format and access 1.2 MB disks while the Toshiba's is limited to 730 K. Both machines have disk access indicators: the Zenith's properly label them "Hard" and "Soft" while the Toshiba's cryptically refer to the two disks as "Right" and "Left", leaving an inexperienced user wondering which is which. Conclusion ---------- Which is better? It's up to the user to decide. It's clear to me that both machines do the job admirably. But I'm still waiting for that "perfect" machine, the one that has ALL the features I want. Seeing the abilities of these machines, I don't think I'll be waiting long. -end- Notes: ----- The preceding comparison/review of the Toshiba 3100 and Zenith SupersPort 286 laptop computers is based upon factual information (specifications) and opinion. The author, having hands-on experience with both machines in a workplace environment, has attempted to be as objective as possible. Still, it must be remembered that in any case where opinion is involved, not all informed parties may agree. It is for this reason that the author urges those readers about to make a purchase to weigh all facts (rather than just opinions) before making a purchase decision on either of these machines. This entire work is copyrighted 1988 by Maria L. Langer. Originally written for the North Jersey Bulletin Board's IBM Conference, it may be distributed free of charge to Bulletin Board Systems throughout the United States and Canada for use by BBS participants. It may not be altered, reproduced, or distributed in any way other than that stated above without the written permission of the author. For further information regarding this work and other work by the author, contact Maria L. Langer at P.O. Box 212, Harrington Park, NJ 07640-0212. The North Jersey Bulletin Board is PC Pursuitable at NJNEW, (201) 743-2570. Other conferences (special interest groups) include those for Scanning, Apple Computers, and SysOps. The SysOp is Steve Wellmann; Maria Langer is the co-SysOp for the Apple Conference. We welcome your comments and support.