Carry-Out Quirks

Purchasers of a portable computer advertised as IBM PC compatible should check carefully to make sure it runs the software and hardware desired. The Compaq appears to be the most compatible to have appeared to date in the United Kingdom. Imported and distributed by Ferrari Software with 256K and twin 320K disk drive, it sells for just under 3,000 pounds. It runs PC software even the PC can not run. The keyboard is identical to the PC's, and the display handles text and graphics. However, like all compatibles, it is difficult to run programs on it written in IBM BASIC. Compaq's main competitor is Dynalogic's Hyperion from Canada, slightly more compact and lighter, but not as 'fully' or as 'totally' compatible with the IBM PC as is claimed, coming completely to a halt when faced with the United Kingdom configured version of PC-DOS. Dot, another 'compatible' machine, is due in the United Kingdom soon. Computer Device's portable runs MS-DOS but uses 3.5 inch floppy disk drives. Photographs of the Compaq and Hyperion are included.