Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!van-bc!ubc-cs!alberta!sherwood
From: sherwood@space.UAlberta.CA (Sherwood Botsford)
Subject: Re: Making the slab portable
Message-ID: <1991Apr18.150432.25061@cs.UAlberta.CA>
Sender: news@cs.UAlberta.CA (News Administrator)
Organization: Canadian Network for Space Research, U of Alberta, Can.
References: <HARDY.91Apr14140546@golem.ps.uci.edu>
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1991 15:04:32 GMT

In article <HARDY.91Apr14140546@golem.ps.uci.edu> hardy@golem.ps.uci.edu (Meinhard E. Mayer (Hardy)) writes:
>I was wondering whether anyone has come up with a solution to making
>the NeXTstatioon into a "slabtop" computer, i.e., semi-portable.
>...

The classic way to make a slabtop  (I like that name...) would be to build 
a megapixel lcd screen into one face of the slab, then have a stand on the back
much as a free standing picture frame does.  If you prefer the monitor, you
lay it flat, and hook up as usual. Keyboard clips to an appropriate dent in the
case.  Move the floppy drive into the keyboard.  (Be rather awkward putting
in a floppy while the critter is standing on edge.)  A handle on one edge, 
trackball in the keyboard, or separate mouse (wireless preferably) (Hmm.
Make the keyboard wireless too.)  If next could ad the GO type pen interface
the thing would be usable in lecture halls & airplanes...  The mind boggles.

My boss has a toshiba 386 based transportable.  He would slaughter innocent
children will glee to get a next slaptop.  (I would too, but I can't afford
a plain next, let alone all the legal fees for the slaughter... )



