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Latest portable details
Note: the following details are the latest available, but date from January 2002.
RiscStation is currently developing a new RISC OS notebook computer to fill a long-standing gap in the market. Design work is well advanced.
(Click the images to the right to see larger versions.)
The portable will cost £999.00 ex. VAT (£1173.82 inc. VAT), or £1248.00 ex. VAT (£1466.40 inc. VAT) with an optional docking station. Specifications include:
- 64MHz ARM7500FE processor
(with floating point co-processor)
- RISC OS 4.03 and utilities
- 64Mb 50ns RAM
- 10Gb 2.5" hard drive
- Magnesium allow casing
- 8.4" TFT touch-screen:
800×600 in 32K colours
- Concealed heavyweight metal pen
- 77-key high-quality keyboard
- 2-button glidepoint touchpad
- Integral stereo speakers
- Integral microphone
- 16-bit OPL3 stereo sound sampler & mixer
- 1× 3.5mm mic in jack
- 1× 3.5mm headphone/speaker out jack
- 2× USB connectors
- 1× mini serial port
- 1× mini MIDI port
- 1× 10/100baseT port
- 1× 15-pin VGA connector
- 1× SVHS TV output
- 1× PCMCIA slot
- 1× IRDA infrared transceiver
- 1× 20v DC power connector
- 1× docking station connection port
- Mains power supply included
Physical attributes:
- Dimensions: 250mm (W) × 200mm (D) × 30mm (H)
- Weight: 1.3Kg (excluding docking station)
Optional docking station includes:
- 40×-speed CD-ROM drive
- 1.6Mb floppy drive
- Serial connector
- Parallel connector
- PS/2 connector
- VGA connector
- Power connector
- Does not draw power from the portable
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Prototype unit
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Leightweight
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Dual-view
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You may view a printable order form (hi-res JPEG image, 300K)
or a flyer with provisional specificaions dating from January 2002 (133K JPEG).
The portable will include the standard RiscStation software bundle of EasiWriter Pro, Fireworkz Pro etc. (see below for full list).
(The previous announcement about a RiscStation laptop computer has been archived.)
Press releases
RiscStation Laptop Yahoo group is go!, dated 19th January 2003
The current status of the RiscStation laptop computer, dated 18th May 2001
RiscStation Oz relocates..., dated 11th July 2000
MicroDigital & RiscStation, dated 18th May 2000
New R7500 and NetWORKS models from RiscStation, dated 11th April 2000
Contact details
RiscStation Ltd
Our company's aim is to promote the use of the RISC OS operating system, with its strengths over less reliable disc-based alternatives. With many companies dissatisfied with the unreliability of other operating systems, and exposure to the many viruses targeted at them, RiscStation is promoting the use of RISC OS as a viable alternative. With many companies switching to Linux, RiscStation is also promoting the advantages that the low power consumption of RiscStation machines offer in this format. The power consumption of the NetWORX model is 5W (excluding monitor), or 450mW in standby mode.
RiscStation Ltd was formed by Roy Heslop, Managing Director of CTA Direct (a major player in the old Acorn computer market). With a history of supplying both Acorn and PC solutions, it was easy for us to see the obvious advantages of the RISC OS system, which is present in many machines that are ten years old or more but which are still in productive use. This longevity is due to usability of the operating system, reliability of the hardware and the low cost of maintenance and support (typically a tenth of that of a generic PC).
We are aiming to take our new Acorn-compatible RISC OS-based systems into the mainstream markets, as well as giving the existing market the hardware advancements it deserves. RISC OS systems have been around for a long time now, but none have been as 'cutting edge' as those designed and manufactured by RiscStation Ltd.
RiscStation Osaris EPOC-based RISC OS-compatible palmtop computer, featuring:
- 32-bit user-friendly EPOC operating system
- 8Mb (expandable) user memory
- 44-character × unlimited-line Indiglo backlit touch-screen
- Concealed blunt stylus pen
- Word processor
- Spreadsheet
- Database
- Scheduler & Calendar
- 19,000-entry phone book
- Web browsing software, fax and email send & receive
- Spell-checker and thesaurus
- IrDA infrared connectivity
- Serial port connectivity via cable (included)
- Transfer files between RISC OS and Windows platforms with included software
Price
£143.83 ex. VAT (£169.00 inclusive)
The R7500Lite system offers:
- Lower cost of ownership than other platforms
- Ease of use
- 64Mb 50ns memory upgradeable to 256Mb
- Screen modes to 1600×1200 in 256 colours
- Native support of LS120 and Zip ATAPI drives
- 52×-speed CD-ROM drive
- External 60W speakers
- High build quality, with a 5- to 10-year design life
- Available in mini-tower or desktop configurations
The R7500Lite system is fitted with 16Mb of RAM and a 4Gb hard drive.
The R7500Lite+ system is fitted with 64Mb of RAM and a 10Gb hard drive.
R7500Lite/Lite+ systems also include a selection of high-quality software applications. See below for full details.
R7500Lite prices
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Base model:
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£499.00 ex. VAT
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15" model:
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£599.00 ex. VAT
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17" model:
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£649.00 ex. VAT
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19" model:
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£749.00 ex. VAT
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R7500Lite+ prices
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Base model:
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£579.00 ex. VAT
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15" model:
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£679.00 ex. VAT
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17" model:
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£729.00 ex. VAT
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19" model:
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£829.00 ex. VAT
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The Scorcher systems have the same specification as the R7500Lite+, but the CD-ROM drive is replaced by a 4×4×24-speed CD re-writer for CD mastering in the base Scorcher model. The Scorcher TwinDeck has both a CD re-writer and a 48×-speed CD-ROM drive for CD mastering and duplication.
The Scorcher and Scorcher TwinDeck systems come with the same software bundle as the R7500Lite/Lite+, but with the addition of the CD-Burn CD mastering package. See below for full details.
Scorcher prices
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Base model:
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£769.00 ex. VAT
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15" model:
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£869.00 ex. VAT
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17" model:
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£919.00 ex. VAT
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19" model:
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£1019.00 ex. VAT
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Scorcher TwinDeck prices
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Base model:
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£799.00 ex. VAT
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15" model:
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£899.00 ex. VAT
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17" model:
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£949.00 ex. VAT
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19" model:
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£1049.00 ex. VAT
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Free software with the R7500Lite/+, Scorcher and laptop
RiscStation systems come bundled with a range of high-quality applications:
- DrawWORKS Millennium: A great graphic design package that comes with a complete set of 2100 fonts and even a set of over 1000 clips to use with your designs! With a host of graphic enhancers as well as a complete font editor, DrawWORKS Millennium is an excellent tool for creative jobs.
- EasiWriter Pro: EasiWriter Professional is quite simply a brilliant Acorn-compatible word processor. As well as being extremely user-friendly, it can utilise the many fonts supplied with DrawWORKS Millennium. Combine this with Microsoft Word compatibility, the European spelling checker and the many utilities found in this professional package, and you have a strong stand-alone word processor.
- Fireworkz Pro: Fireworkz Pro is a versatile office suite consisting of a word processor, a spreadsheet application and a database editor. A great all-in-one office package that is well laid out and easy to get to grips with, Fireworkz is a great solution for home, office or business alike.
- PipeDream 4.5: Back by popular demand, PipeDream is best described as an open-plan office utility. Create a letter, a spreadsheet or a new database all in the same program, easily. It's a great introduction program for children due to its simple layout, yet a very able package nevertheless.
- Gamezone and Demozone: Aside from the serious applications, RiscStation has installed a selection of games in the Gamezone. Ankh, Botkiller and the nostalgic Frak! can all be found here. Also, a selection of shareware and demos of up and coming titles can be found in the Demozone, another place to visit if you're seeking fun and games!
- ...Even more titles to appear soon!
The NetWORX system offers:
- Lower cost of ownership than other platforms
- Ease of use
- 8Mb memory upgradeable to 256Mb
- Screen modes to 1600×1200 in 256 colours
- High build quality, with a 5- to 10-year design life
The NetWORKS has no hard drive.
The NetWORKS HD system is fitted with a 2Gb hard drive (minimum).
NetWORX prices
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Base model:
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£399.00 ex. VAT
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15" model:
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£499.00 ex. VAT
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17" model:
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£549.00 ex. VAT
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19" model:
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£649.00 ex. VAT
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NetWORX HD prices
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Base model:
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£449.00 ex. VAT
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15" model:
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£549.00 ex. VAT
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17" model:
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£599.00 ex. VAT
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19" model:
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£699.00 ex. VAT
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Technical specifications (R7500Lite and NetWORX)
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Processor
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56MHz (50 MIPS peak) 32-bit 7500FPE ARM processor with integrated floating point accelerator
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Memory
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8Mb/16Mb 50ns EDO memory (NetWORX)
16Mb/64Mb 50ns EDO memory (R7500)
2 × 72-pin EDO SIMM sockets (max 256Mb)
1 × Flash SIMM upgrade socket (max 32Mb)
4/6Mb Flash/ROM containing RISC OS 4.03 incorruptible operating system
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Audio
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Full 16-bit OPL3 3D stereo sound sampler & mixer with FM synthesiser, MIDI, Wavetable upgradeable, two CD mixer ports, 3 × 3.5mm jack sockets for line in/mic in/headphone & speaker out, internal mono speaker. 3D spatial sound is built into the 16-bit sound chip-set for pseudo-surround effects.
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Video
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Screen modes include:
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800×600
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16 million colours
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1024×768
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32 thousand colours
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1280×1024
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256 colours
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1600×1200
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256 colours
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Network
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10 BaseT on board
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I/O ports
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2 × Serial port *Rated at 460K baud (1 × 9-pin D-socket; 1 × internal header)
1 × IRDA infra-red interface support (1 × internal header)
1 × EPP/ECP fast parallel port (25-way D-socket)
1 × PC-style game port with MIDI (1 × 15-pin D-socket)
1 × additional PC-style game port (1 × internal header)
1 × 15-pin VGA connector with either standard monitor or DDC detection modes
2 × High-speed EIDE ports giving up to 5.5Mb/sec sustained; R/W Atapi for Zip100, Zip250 & LS120 drives
1 × High-density floppy drive port
1 × 10baseT port with Wake On LAN
PS/2-style keyboard input
PS/2-style three-button mouse
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Power control & diagnostics
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Fully programmable power control with switch-on options including:
- Wake On LAN
- Wake On Ring on internal modem
- Wake On Ring on external modem
- Wake On Keyboard
- Wake On Clock alarm
- Wake On Special keypress or password
- Wake On Power button
System can be powered off via power button or software control.
A full system temperature and power monitor is provided, along with an alarm system to diagnose tripped keyboard and joystick fuses. The thermal-resetting fuses only require the removal of power to reset. There is provision for an additional 12V fan with Tacho feedback, the speed of which is under software control.
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Electrical: PSU
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Integral 145W switched mode, switchable 110v to 240v AC, 50-60Hz
The fan is temperature-controlled and as such should only run at a low speed in a temperate climate.
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Evolution 
The Evolution PCI system is in development, and will offer:
- Lower cost of ownership than other platforms
- Ease of use
- 64Mb memory upgradeable to 256Mb
- Screen modes to at least 1600×1200 in 256 colours
- High build quality, with a 5- to 10-year design life
- PCI bus structure for future expansion
- Available in ATX mini-tower or desktop configurations
Proposed technical specification
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Processor
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233MHz Intel StrongARM processor
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Memory
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64Mb SDRAM system memory
4/6Mb Flash/ROM containing RISC OS 4 incorruptible operating system and utilities
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Drives
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20Gb hard drive
Minimum 48× CD-ROM
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Audio
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Full 16-bit OPL3 3D stereo sound sampler & mixer with FM synthesiser, MIDI, Wavetable and two CD mixer ports, 3 × 3.5mm jack sockets for line in/mic in/headphone & speaker out. Minimum 60W external speakers included.
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System bus & I/O ports
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Enhanced PCI bus
2 × Serial port *Rated at 460K baud
2 × UDMA/ATA66 EIDE ports
1 × PC-style game port with MIDI support
2 × Dual-speed USB ports
1 × EPP/ECP fast parallel port
1 × High-speed infra-red interface support
1 × High-density floppy drive port
PS/2-style keyboard input
PS/2-style three-button mouse
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