> Atari STBOOK STR InfoFile         SPECS - Ins and Outs - In Depth!
   =========================


                               Atari STBook
                               ============

 ctsy CIS ATARI Portfolio Forum

 by Don Thomas
    CIS ID: 75300,1267


     I have mentioned the forthcoming Atari STBook in some messages and
 have obtained some spec sheets from Bill Rehbock just before he left today
 to take two of them to a big show in Germany.  Bill says I may share them
 with you.  Specifications are always subject to change and I may leave
 some out that I consider most "changeable", but having said that, they're
 pretty solid.  (Just tryin' to cover my bases).

     Let me say first that STBook and the Portfolio are as marketably
 different as they are the same.  The STBook appeals to an established
 worldwide market of Atari ST/Mega users by sharing OS compatibility.  I am
 campaigning that it can also be perceived as a step up product from the
 Portfolio in that it offers superb lightweight productivity, access to
 thousands of established software programs, but also as much share ASCII
 files with other computers as the Portfolio can through the Serial Port.

 On with the specs .  .  .

     This new laptop entry by Atari sports an 8.5" x 11" footprint, is only
 1.4" thick (37mm) and weighs only 4.3 lbs.  A 7 "AA" battery pack is
 provided for 10-12 hours of operation.  An optional rechargeable battery
 pack will be available which recharges in just 2 hours while the computer
 is running.  It offers MIDI IN/OUT ports (another musicians dream in the
 Atari collection), RS232 Serial port, Parallel port and a floppy disk/ACSI
 DMA port for an external drive, hard disks, CD-ROM, lasers, etc.  Built-in
 hard drive capacities include the options of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mb.

     The highly defined LCD screen offers 640x400 resolution (mono) and it
 has a 3 voice, programmable sound generator.  The specs say 84/85 key
 keyboard (?) which partially consist of 10 function keys and 4 cursor
 keys.  There is a connector for a standard size Atari keyboard and an op-
 tion for an external 18-key numeric keypad.

     Those not familiar with the Atari OS should know that it is graphics
 based (as easy as a MAC [I think easier]) which means that point and
 click mouse operations are intergral.  The STBook introduces a unique new
 mouse alternative for portability.  It has a built-in Atari pressure sen-
 sitive Vector-Pad(tm), using FSR technology.  What that means is that the
 pad is not only directional sensitive, but pressure sensitive as well. 
 The mouse moves faster, the harder it is tapped.

     It will be available with 1 or 4 MEG RAM and 512K ROM (enough for
 everyone?) and includes the popular Atari BLiTTER(tm) chip for faster
 graphics draws.  An internal 2400 baud modem OR 9600 baud/fax modem will
 be available.

     The system archetecture is 68000 cpu based operating at 8MHz with a
 32-bit internal bus, 24-bit external address bus and 16-bit external data
 bus.  The expansion bus is a 120-pin full-function connector.

     I did not notice statements of built-in applications although there
 are hints of them as the computer may be set in sleep mode to monitor
 alarms and appointments.

     The operating system is already supported by thousands of
 professional, home and entertainment offerings.  CompuServe supports the
 environment very well (Type GO ATARIPRO).  All existing mono apps are
 instantly
 compatible.

     I urge interested developers to get in touch with Atari immediately.  
 There is a wealth of development support in place for the platform and I
 think this will become quite a hot ticket.  I do not have prices, but
 (like the Portfolio) Atari's trademark will always be associated to "Power
 Without The Price".

     I would be happy to answer what I can, but be forewarned that this is
 all I have in writing at this point.

     To contact Atari call (408) 745-2000 and ask for Developer Support.  I
 am happy to help anyone too.

                       <<<<*>>>><<<<*>>>><<<<*>>>>