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Ready to buy Omnibook 530 and peripherals

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Scott Wieder

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Jul 5, 1994, 5:57:21 PM7/5/94
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I am ready to make the plunge for a new laptop. I am planning to get an HP Omnibook 530 with
8 MB upgrade (total of 12 MB).

I have 2 questions on the peripherals:

1. Should I buy the floppy disk drive from HP? Is there a better
solution, like floppy drive that runs off a PCMCIA slot. The Compaq Aero uses
a PCMCIA solution. Does PCMCIA allow you to get power internally?

2. The HP datasheet refers to a “Communications port for optional
fax/modem. My HP salesman says the fax/modem plugs into a PCMCIA slot. Is
there a special slot for HP proprietary fax/modem? I would prefer not to lose
a PCMCIA slot if possible. Are 3rd party product vastly superior to HP’s
fax/modem?


My boss gave my the go ahead to buy 3 of these Omnibooks.
I appreciate any advice prior to putting down my $10,000. Thanks in advance
for the help.


Scott Wieder
wie...@rimail.interlan.com
508.263.9929 x464

Loren Heisey

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Jul 6, 1994, 12:45:38 PM7/6/94
to
Scott Wieder <wie...@rimail.interlan.com> wrote:
>I am ready to make the plunge for a new laptop. I am planning to get an HP Omnibook 530 with
>8 MB upgrade (total of 12 MB).
>
>I have 2 questions on the peripherals:
>
>1. Should I buy the floppy disk drive from HP? Is there a better
>solution, like floppy drive that runs off a PCMCIA slot. The Compaq Aero uses
>a PCMCIA solution. Does PCMCIA allow you to get power internally?

The advantages the HP floppy for the OB530 has over third party floppies:
1. Is smaller and much lighter
2. Does not require an external AC adapter to be carried with it
3. Does not need a driver to be loaded using memory
4. Is bootable
5. Is the A: drive for easier software installation

The disadvantages are since it draws its power from the OB it will run the
batteries down faster when using it, and it does not have a parallel port
pass through so ties up the parallel port when in use.

Before anyone asks, the HP floppy will NOT work with any other OB as the
OB530 has added circuitry to make it work.

>2. The HP datasheet refers to a “Communications port for optional
> fax/modem. My HP salesman says the fax/modem plugs into a PCMCIA slot. Is
>there a special slot for HP proprietary fax/modem? I would prefer not to lose
>a PCMCIA slot if possible. Are 3rd party product vastly superior to HP’s
>fax/modem?

The HP fax/modem plugs into its own special slot. However it is 2400 data
9600 fax. Since the OB530 has 2 free PCMCIA slots tying up one with a
third party PCMCIA modem might not be a problem.

Right now the demand for the OB530 is greater than the supply so as some
people have noted here they can be hard to find.

--
Loren Heisey lor...@hpcvra.cv.hp.com
disclaimer - the opinions expressed are those of the author and do not
represent official statements of the Hewlett-Packard Company.

Dave

unread,
Jul 6, 1994, 3:06:08 PM7/6/94
to
In article <CsJ2K...@hpcvra.cv.hp.com$) lor...@cv.hp.com (Loren Heisey) writes:
$)Scott Wieder <wie...@rimail.interlan.com$) wrote:
$)$)I am ready to make the plunge for a new laptop. I am planning to get an HP Omnibook 530 with
$)$)8 MB upgrade (total of 12 MB).
$)$)
$)$)I have 2 questions on the peripherals:
$)$)
$)$)1. Should I buy the floppy disk drive from HP? Is there a better
$)$)solution, like floppy drive that runs off a PCMCIA slot. The Compaq Aero uses
$)$)a PCMCIA solution. Does PCMCIA allow you to get power internally?
$)
$)The advantages the HP floppy for the OB530 has over third party floppies:
$)1. Is smaller and much lighter
$)2. Does not require an external AC adapter to be carried with it
$)3. Does not need a driver to be loaded using memory
$)4. Is bootable
$)5. Is the A: drive for easier software installation
$)
$)The disadvantages are since it draws its power from the OB it will run the
$)batteries down faster when using it, and it does not have a parallel port
$)pass through so ties up the parallel port when in use.
$)
$)Before anyone asks, the HP floppy will NOT work with any other OB as the
$)OB530 has added circuitry to make it work.
$)
$)$)2. The HP datasheet refers to a “Communications port for optional
$)$) fax/modem. My HP salesman says the fax/modem plugs into a PCMCIA slot. Is
$)$)there a special slot for HP proprietary fax/modem? I would prefer not to lose
$)$)a PCMCIA slot if possible. Are 3rd party product vastly superior to HP’s
$)$)fax/modem?
$)
$)The HP fax/modem plugs into its own special slot. However it is 2400 data
$)9600 fax. Since the OB530 has 2 free PCMCIA slots tying up one with a
$)third party PCMCIA modem might not be a problem.
$)
$)Right now the demand for the OB530 is greater than the supply so as some
$)people have noted here they can be hard to find.
$)
$)--
$)Loren Heisey lor...@hpcvra.cv.hp.com
$)disclaimer - the opinions expressed are those of the author and do not
$)represent official statements of the Hewlett-Packard Company.

Does anyone have the specs for the OB530?
thanks
dave
--
David Chow
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
Internet: gt9...@prism.gatech.edu or cca...@prism.gatech.edu

Tim Devoe

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Jul 6, 1994, 8:15:27 PM7/6/94
to
In article <2vevb0$9...@acmez.gatech.edu> cca...@prism.gatech.edu (Dave) writes:

>$)$)I am ready to make the plunge for a new laptop. I am planning to get
an HP Omnibook 530 with >$)$)8 MB upgrade (total of 12 MB).

---lots of stuff deleted---


>
> Does anyone have the specs for the OB530?
> thanks
> dave

I'm interested in all the specs for all Omnibook models.
Also where to buy used ones or discontinued models etc..
I'm interested in any feedback from owners and what they like(dislike)
about the HP Omnibook.

I'm mainly interested in the HP, for Wordprocessing on the road, but
mainly for my E-Mail and newsgroups like this and some other
communication stuff.

Post response in this group or E-mail

Thanks, Tim tde...@fox.nstn.ns.ca

Greg Broiles

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Jul 6, 1994, 11:03:09 PM7/6/94
to
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

wie...@rimail.interlan.com (Scott Wieder) writes:

>1. Should I buy the floppy disk drive from HP? Is there a better
>solution, like floppy drive that runs off a PCMCIA slot. The Compaq Aero uses
>a PCMCIA solution. Does PCMCIA allow you to get power internally?

Get the floppy drive. I didn't get one and LapLink is making my life a
living hell. (Ok, it's not quite that bad. Close, though.)


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--
Greg Broiles gr...@goldenbear.com
"Over 2MB of news are posted each day. This is a staggering figure
when you consider that most news feeds are run over 1200 baud modems."
- Nemeth, et al, "Unix System Administration Handbook" (1989)

Loren Heisey

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Jul 12, 1994, 11:11:01 AM7/12/94
to
Dave <cca...@prism.gatech.edu> wrote:
>
> Does anyone have the specs for the OB530?

Someone posted the HP press release for the OB530 in comp.sys.handhelds.
It contains the changes from earlier OBs and a fact sheet on the features.

--
Loren Heisey lor...@hpcvra.cv.hp.com


disclaimer - the opinions expressed are those of the author and do not

Mark Ackerman

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Jul 13, 1994, 3:37:34 AM7/13/94
to
>Someone posted the HP press release for the OB530 in comp.sys.handhelds.
>It contains the changes from earlier OBs and a fact sheet on the features.

Can someone repost this? It's not in the omnibook.news archive on
csd4.csd.uwm.edu.

Thanks.

Mark


Davy Thomas - N.A. Solution Center

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Jul 13, 1994, 6:26:44 PM7/13/94
to
In article 9...@acmez.gatech.edu, cca...@prism.gatech.edu (Dave)
writes:

<snip>

>Does anyone have the specs for the OB530?

If you have access to a fax machine (and call from the U.S.,
presumably), try calling HP FIRST (Fax Information Retrieval Support
Technology) at (800) 333-1917 and request Document ID 8807 which is a
two page data sheet for the OmniBook 530.

---
Davy

davy....@Corp.Sun.COM
(800) 643-8300 x61668


Nick Thompson

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Jul 14, 1994, 3:38:02 AM7/14/94
to
From: nel...@crynwr.crynwr.com (Russell Nelson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: HP's OB530 Press Release
Date: 11 Jul 1994 23:32:32 GMT
Organization: Crynwr Software

I haven't seen anyone post HP's press release for the OB530, so I took
it upon myself to do it.


EDITORIAL CONTACTS: PRCP6400404


Lucy Honig
(503) 715-2038

Susan Breshears
(415) 284-5200



HP OMNIBOOK 530 PC DELIVERS 300 PERCENT INCREASE

IN PERFORMANCE OVER PREVIOUS MODELS

HP Packs Additional Speed and Power into
Lightest Subnotebook on the Market



PALO ALTO, Calif., June 13, 1994 -- Hewlett-Packard
Company today announced its latest 486-based superportable
PC, the HP OmniBook 530, which delivers a threefold increase
in performance over previous versions while maintaining the
product's unmatched portability and convenience. The new HP
OmniBook 530 PC also includes VGA-out for display
flexibility and an optional floppy-disk drive.

With its 33MHz Intel 486SX processor, the HP OmniBook
530 PC performed well above HP's previous mobile PC models.
A performance comparison conducted by HP's research and
development team resulted in the following scores for the
OmniBook 430 and HP OmniBook 530 PCs:


System Norton Sys. WinTach Winstone 94Winsock

OmniBook 430 32.3 1.11 9.5 129
OmniBook 530 50 5.1 19.4 211


"In the past, customers have had to trade performance
for portability," said Chris W. Morgan, marketing manager
of HP's Corvallis (Ore.) Division. "At 2.9 pounds, the
OmniBook 530 PC combines the fastest performance with the
lightest weight of any 486-based subnotebook on the market
-- without sacrificing popular features like instant-on and
a full-sized keyboard."


The HP OmniBook 530 PC with a 130MB hard-disk drive
and 4MB RAM is $1,799 (U.S.), and is expected to be
available later this month through HP's network of
authorized resellers.


Improvements to the latest HP OmniBook PC include the
following:

o VGA-out capabilities that offer customers the
option of viewing a full-screen display on a
separate monitor while using the new HP OmniBook
PC;

o an optional, 9.25 oz. portable external 3.5-inch
floppy-disk drive for fast access to files on
other PCs;

o RAM expandability to 12MB for more power;

o more mass storage -- 130MB hard-disk drive -- up
from 105MB in the HP OmniBook 430 PC; and
o an additional PCMCIA(1) Type II slot, providing a
total of two user-available Type II slots, which
are stacked so thay can be used together as a Type
III slot. These slots meet the communications,
storage or networking needs of HP OmniBook PC
customers.


For customers' convenience, the OmniBook 530 PC comes
preloaded with the retail versions of MS-DOS(R) 6.2 and
Windows(tm) 3.11, as well as HP's appointment and
phone-book software, and Traveling Software's LapLink
Remote. Like the HP OmniBook 430 PC, the newest HP
OmniBook PC also offers customers the flexibility of
choosing their favorite Windows- or DOS-based applications,
which can be installed easily on the 130MB hard-disk drive,
using the preinstalled LapLink Remote or the optional HP
floppy-disk drive.


Continuing the HP OmniBook family tradition of
providing industry-leading convenience in portable
computing, the new HP OmniBook 530 PC also maintains all
the popular features of previous versions:

o instant on -- when the machine is turned on, the
programs and files in use when the machine was
shut down are restored immediately -- even if the
files were not saved;

o full-size 85-key keyboard -- only notebook under
5 pounds that features full-pitch keys, which
make typing familiar and easy;

o superior pointing device -- only subnotebook with
a built-in pop-up mouse that provides performance
that matches that of a desktop mouse; and

o long battery life -- typical continuous use is up
to 4 hours.


U.S. Product Support

OmniBook PC customers in the United States receive
unlimited free support with a toll call through HP's
comprehensive support program. These customers call just
one telephone number to receive hardware and software
assistance (503/757-2004). There also is an automated
toll-free number with fax-back capability that is available
24 hours a day, seven days a week, for application notes and
most commonly asked questions (800/443-1254). For hardware
repair, HP also offers an overnight product exchange through
its Express Exchange Program.


U.S. Prices

Product Number

HP OmniBook 530 PC F1052A $1,799
with 130MB hard-disk drive,
4MB RAM, serial and
VGA cable and AC adapter

4MB RAM expansion F1054A 399

8MB RAM expansion F1055A 649

130MB hard-disk drive F1057A 699

external floppy-disk drive F1059A 199


The HP OmniBook 530 PC joins HP's family of personal
information appliances, which are setting the standard for
easy-to-use mobile devices. The devices feature one-touch
access to leading applications and extensive communications
capabilities that allow users to create, manipulate, access
and communicate information from any location at anytime.


Hewlett-Packard Company is an international manufacturer
of measurement and computation products and systems
recognized for excellence in quality and support. The
company's products and services are used in industry,
business, engineering, science, medicine and education in
approximately 110 countries. HP has 97,000 employees and
had revenue of $20.3 billion in its 1993 fiscal year.


# # #

Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.

Windows is a U.S. trademark of Microsoft Corp.

(1)PCMCIA is the Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association, a standards organization for
memory cards.


NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Sales information may be obtained by
calling 1-800-443-1254 (U.S. only). Please do NOT use
editor-contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales
information.

Information in this release applies specifically to
products available in the United States. Product
availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S.
markets.

If you choose to review this item, fastest response to your
readers' inquiries will be ensured by mailing them to
Hewlett-Packard Company Inquiries, 1000 N.E. Circle
Boulevard, Corvallis, Ore. 97330.

.......................................................................

Item Subject: FACT530








EDITORIAL CONTACTS: PRCP6400404-A

Lucy Honig
(503) 715-2038

Susan Breshears
(415) 284-5200


THE HP OMNIBOOK 530 SUPERPORTABLE PC


Convenience and Portability

o Compact size -- 11.1 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches (28.2 x 16.3 x
3.6 cm)

o Light weight -- 2.9 pounds with battery pack

o Full-size keyboard with standard key size and pitch (85
keys)

o Instant-on -- no waiting for system to boot

o Familiar Microsoft(R) Windows(tm) 3.11 at the touch of
the "on" key

o VGA-out -- supports 800 x 600 Super VGA output
with 256 color to external monitor*

o Optional external 3.5-inch floppy drive*

o Embedded numeric keypad; 12 function (Fn) keys

o Two industry-standard PCMCIA(1) Type II expansion-card
slots (stacked for conversion to one Type III slot)

o Input/output -- 9-pin serial; 25-pin parallel and
bidirectional infrared port

o Small (5.7 ounce) battery pack -- up to 4 hours of use

o Nine-inch display; 640 x 480-dot VGA-compatible FTN(2)
reflective liquid-crystal display; 16 levels of gray

o Data compression -- automatically doubles available disk
capacity


Power

o 33MHZ Intel 486SX CPU(3)*

o 4.8 Vdc rechargeable battery pack with
nickel-metal-hydride cells included

o One-key access to all built-in applications and
user-defined applications

o Ready-to-use, built-in pop-up mouse


Expansion/upgrade Capabilities

o 4MB system RAM(4) expandable to 12MB*

o 130MB hard disk -- approximately 200MB compressed*

o Two PCMCIA, Type II card slots available


Communications

o Built-in LapLink Remote Access, from Traveling Software,
Inc. -- includes Traveling Software's Lap Link Remote
Access software on floppy disk for use with desktop PCs

o 9-pin serial port for connection to RS-232-C devices,
including printers and modems

o Standard 25-pin parallel port

o Infrared link -- transmits at speeds up to 115 Kbaud

o Serial cable -- allows easy connection to PC

o Optional communication pack -- includes fax/modem and the
following software: Microsoft Mail Version 3.2, WinFax
LITE and DynaComm


Preinstalled Software

o MS-DOS(R) 6.2

o Microsoft Windows 3.11*

o LapLink Remote Access

o HP PIM(5) tools


Information, Time- and Activity-management Tools

o Phone book that offers search and sort capabilities

o Appointment book with alarm, customization and
calendar features

o HP Financial Calculator that converts currencies
and figures basic-arithmetic functions and money
values

U.S. Support Program

o Free unlimited support with single toll-number access
(800/443-1254)

o One-year limited warranty worldwide; next-day replacement
(U.S. only) through the Express Exchange Program

o HP SupportPack available -- allows upgrade from one-year
warranty to three-year Express Exchange program


*New to the HP OmniBook 530


# # #


Microsoft and MS-DOS are U.S. registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corp.

Windows is a U.S trademark of Microsoft Corp.

LapLink Remote Access is a U.S. trademark of Traveling
Software Inc.

Intel is a U.S. trademark of Intel Corp.

(1)PCMCIA stands for Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association.

(2)FTN stands for film-compensated supertwisted nematic.

(3)CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.

(4)RAM stands for random access memory.

(5)PIM stands for personal information management.


--
-russ <nel...@crynwr.com> http://www.crynwr.com/crynwr/nelson.html
Crynwr Software | Crynwr Software sells packet driver support | ask4 PGP key
11 Grant St. | +1 315 268 1925 (9201 FAX) | What is thee doing about it?
Potsdam, NY 13676 | LPF member - ask me about the harm software patents do.

__________________________________________________________________________
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\ |\ | . _ |/ Nick Thompson: BNR-Europe Ltd, Harlow, Essex, England /\
/ | \| | |_ |\ N.J.Th...@bnr.co.uk \ \
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