RE: TI-H: New Calculator!!!

To: "'ti-hardware@lists.ticalc.org'" <ti-hardware@lists.ticalc.org>
Subject: RE: TI-H: New Calculator!!!
From: Christopher Kalos <raptorone@geocities.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 22:42:47 -0500
Reply-To: ti-hardware@lists.ticalc.org

	Well, I am building it from scratch.  Just because I'm using an x86 doesn't make it a PC-compatible.  It just makes it run on a familiar and powerful instruction set.  As for color, I see the use for it (I've run Maple before), but that will require a lot more work.  Of course, with my small screen, and the smallest available VRAM chips that I can find are 256K (2Mbits), that's 128K for the screen and another 128 for the buffer.
	Next concern:  batteries.  I'm going to use rechargables.  Laptop-type batteries, maybe, but I'm still researching what I can get at high energy densities, but with a relatively low mass and volume.  I still want to be able to stick this in at least one of my pockets.  Any ideas?  I'm stuck at NiMH batteries, since I don't want to get too exotic (read: expensive).
	Thanks for the input,
Christopher Kalos
raptorone@geocities.com
VirtuTech Developer's Group
AOL IM: Raptor1CK

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From: 	Richard Piotter[SMTP:richfiles1@hotmail.com]
Sent: 	Friday, March 06, 1998 8:46 PM
To: 	ti-hardware@lists.ticalc.org
Subject: 	RE: TI-H: New Calculator!!!


You are talking about a computer with modifications. It's true that 
every calculator is merely a computer, but part of the fun is do do 
something from scratch, a start from paper! I want to design the board, 
use a powerful processor, maybe add color if I can find a cheap color 
LCD (like those in Watchmans or Sega gamegear). I want to design a 
powerful calculator, not turn a small computer into a calculator. If you 
want to do this, fine, but I'm also doing it. I'm doing it as a hobby 
project. I want it to be king of calculators as well. I'll have a 
connector for direct bus access, link and whatever else I can think of.

I'm just realy excited about actualy building something more than a 
"better link port" or something like that. I've always wanted to do 
something like this, and I never did. No I'm doing it. I realize the 
subject was brought up months ago, but nobody ever did anything. Now I 
am trying. Besides, how much power will a 486 use??? Is this 
"calculator" you plan going to run through batteries fast??? Whatever. 
If you want to build yours, do it! Just do it because you've always 
wanted to, not just because people showed a suden interest (which of 
course is a good reason too). Please build it. You seem to have more 
resources than I, so You'll probably finnish sooner. 

Good luck!

Richard Piotter
richfiles1@hotmail.com

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