SPARCbook

SPARCbook is a line of laptop computers based on the SPARC processor produced by Tadpole Computer (now General Dynamics).

These machines have backwards compatibility with Sun SPARC systems and can run Solaris.

The latest machine details (2008) are [ [http://tadpole.com/products/notebooks/sparcbook.asp General Dynamics Tadpole Computer - sparcbook] ] :
* 650 MHz UltraSPARC-IIi processors
* One or two removable disk drives (up to 200 GB HDD capacity) provide:
** Redundancy
** Ability to partition data and applications on separate disks
** Option to build multiple operating environments on swappable disks
** Security in military applications
* Dual networking ports
* Low profile and light weight
* 4 GB of DRAM
* Read-write CD-ROM and DVD combo drive
* 15" TFT LCD (up to 1400 x 1050)
* Extensive interfaces & PCCard/PCMCIA support
* SPARCbooks come pre-installed with the Solaris Operating Environment and StarOffice 7.0.

The first Tadpole machine was called the SparcBook1 [ [http://www.islandnet.com/~KPOLSSON/workstat/work1991.htm Chronology of Workstation Computers (1991-1992) ] ] and was introduced in 1992.Specs were:
* 8-32 MB RAM
* 85-240 MB hard drive
* floppy drive
* gray-scale or color 640x480 monitor
* 25 MHz CY601 integer processor, 25 MHz CY604 floating point processor
* Ethernet port
* internal 9600/2400 fax/modem
* SunOS operating system (pre Solaris)
* Size 12 x 8.5 x 2 inches
* weight 7 pounds 1 ounce
* price was US$4950-14850 and around GBP 4000 - 12000

References