DOS Palmtop: Peacock Palmtop PC Details and specs
Peacock Palmtop PC
About this machine:
The peacock palmtop PC is another German Tidalwave clone like so many others. As usual you get a localized Keyboard and
German localized Software. Peacock was actually at some point the 7th largest computer distributor in the world. Today few
people probably remember this German company that started as a small computer shop in Paderborn/Germany. In 1996 the company
started losing much money, reportedly to "bad logistics" and "products that didn't sell". So maybe this palmtop was
the beginning of the end. As it is quite rare today in Germany i assume it didn't sell too well. Technically and optically
nothing special - just another one of the countless rebranded Tidalwave clones.
Specs:
CPU: NEC V30 @ 7.15 MHz
Graphics: Monochrome CGA, 80 x 25 character text mode, CGA 2 color monochrome graphics mode
Display: 640 x 200 monochrome Supertwist LCD , 4 grey scales, 7.2 inch
Memory (RAM): 1 MB
ROM (Software): 1.5 MB
I/O ports: RS232 Serial (proprietary cable was included accessory), PCMCIA 1.0 Type I slot, Parallel port (proprietary cable included)
Sound: PC Speaker - Piezo
Operating System: MS-DOS 5.0
Software: MS Works 2.0, RacePen PIM (File manager, scheduler, phone book, etc), Microsoft QBasic
Size: Length 11.5 cm, Width 24.5 cm, Height 2.5 cm (4.5 inches x 9.7 inches x 1 inch)
Powered by: 2 AA batteries - rechargable or non-rechargable or AC adaptor (optional accessory), CR2032 Lithium button cell as memory backup
Weight: 590 gram (21 ounces) including 2 standard AA and CR2032 batteries
Special features: None
Released: 1992
Originally retailed for:: Unknown (A raw guess is around 600 Deutschmark)
Clone of: Tidalwave PS-1000
Similar models: Tidalwave PS-1000, Highscreen handy Organizer and all other clones
Pros:
- Fully CGA compliant, so most CGA based DOS appz and games work
- Excellent keyboard
- Can use Flash cards with special driver (Draws much power in standby though)
- Can boot other OS with special "Volume Label" (See Tips and Tricks)
- Can bypass loading default drivers with secret Key Combo (Hold ALT + SHIFT during boot)
Cons:
- Not really the smallest Palmtop ever
- Power management is rather average
Collector Value:
6 of 10
Usage Value:
7 of 10
Verdict:
If you are not living in Germany this one is quite hard to get hold of, but you won't miss much unless you always wanted a German keyboard.
See our Special Page "Tips and tricks and Drivers" for more:
Tidalwave Tools and tricks
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