SPARCbook

The SPARCbook was a line of laptop computers based on SPARC microprocessors produced by Tadpole Computer (now General Dynamics).

These machines were compatible with other SPARC-based systems from Sun Microsystems and could run the Solaris operating system.

The machine details in 2008 were:^[1]

• 650 MHz UltraSPARC-IIi processors
• One or two removable disk drives (up to 200 GB hard disk drive 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 × 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^[2] and was introduced in 1992. Specs were:

• 8–32 MB RAM
• 85–240 MB hard disk drive
• floppy drive
• gray-scale or color 640×480 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 × 8.5 × 2 inches
• Weight 7 pounds 1 ounce
• Price was US$ 4,950–14,850 and around GBP 4,000–12,000

Other SPARC/UltraSPARC-based models were:^[3][4]

• SPARCbook 5000 & 6500
• SPARCLE 440, 500 & 650
• Ultrabook
• Ultrabook LE
• Ultrabook IIe
• Ultrabook IIi
• Voyager IIi

References

External links

• Looking back at the SPARC Portables and Notebook market (Article at the SPARC Product Directory)
• The SPARCBook Archives (at sunhelp)