Difference between revisions of "Siemens-Nixdorf PCD-4ND"

Siemens-Nixdorf PCD-4ND (view source)

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 == Review ==
-A midrange, somewhat compact, business laptop, released in 1993. It had an average mix of parts for a 486. The CPU is good for a 486, the video chipset is just mediocre while the  soundcard positions this laptop somewhat on target with the intended goals. The only major improvement of this laptop compared with other 486 models equipped with the same video chipset is the slightly faster CPU that could run at 100 MHz.
+A midrange, compact, business laptop, released in 1993. It had an average mix of parts for a 486. The CPU is good for a 486, the video chipset is just mediocre while the  soundcard positions this laptop somewhat on target with the intended goals. The only major improvement of this laptop compared with other 486 models equipped with the same video chipset is the slightly faster CPU that could run upto 100 MHz, on some models.
-The Western Digital branded video chipset was decent in 1993 but seriously obsolete by 1995 or 1996, late in the product's manufacturing run. The lack of any acceleration functions means that even running Windows 3.1 in 640x480 feels sluggish and Windows 95 operation is outright slow. It is very difficult to understand why Siemens agreed to linger on with this laptop configuration and using such video chipsets that do not even expose full VESA capabilities, requiring loading a special VESA TSR to run some programs that require 640x480 in 256 colours. Also, although resolutions such as 1024x768 at 256 colors are possible, they are clearly beyond the user's patience.
+The Western Digital branded video chipset was decent in 1993 but seriously obsolete by 1995 or 1996, late in the product's manufacturing run. The lack of any acceleration functions means that even running Windows 3.1 in 640x480 feels sluggish and Windows 95 operation is outright slow. It is very difficult to understand why Siemens agreed to linger on with this laptop configuration and using such video chipsets up until 1996, as they do not even expose full VESA capabilities, requiring loading a special VESA TSR to run some programs that require 640x480 in 256 colours. Also, although resolutions such as 1024x768 at 256 colors are possible, they are clearly beyond the user's patience. Provisions for monochrome screens also show the dated system platform, as most laptops have started to abandon in 1993 such display options.
-The inclusion of a relatively modern TFT screen, although the contrast ratio and response time seems slightly lower than IBM's offerings, is one of the few saving graces in terms of technical prowess as most laptops of its era either had poor color LCDs or good but monochrome ones. RAM capabilities are mixed. The lack of standardization means that memory upgrades are quite difficult to find, as the laptop require a clearly proprietary memory module package, that looks as a slightly thick black cartridge.
+The inclusion of a relatively modern TFT screen on some models, although the contrast ratio, response time and especially colour accuracy (fringing) seems slightly poorer than IBM's offerings, is one of the few saving graces in terms of technical prowess, as most laptops of its era either had poor color LCDs. RAM capabilities are mixed. The lack of standardization means that memory upgrades are quite difficult to find, as the laptop require a clearly proprietary memory module package, that looks as a slightly thick black cartridge. Similarly, CPU upgrades seem to be limited as there is a proprietary connector used for CPUs and CPUs are soldered on a CPU module board. Cooling is, however, adequate, so durability is ensured.
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 The included standard capacity harddrive is not adequate as even modest Windows 95 installations with a Microsoft Office 95 package can take around more than 300MB. The harddrive itself is noisy and very bulky (12mm height) but the plastic drive cage along with the laptop's own casing offer excellent noise damping capabilities as metal frames are almost entirely avoided.
-One of the famous features of this laptop is the easily lift-able keyboard that is operated by sliding some side latches on the chassis. This offers very easy access to most internal parts such as the battery, harddrive, floppy drive, memory. This was a very nice design feature that, fortunately, does not compromise too much the laptop's rigidity, keyboard feel and durability. Although latches can be damaged with improper operation they do withstand long use quite well and the keyboard hinges survives some rough handling.
+The keyboard, trackball and trackball buttons are close to the classic IBM standard of peripherals, which is a nice surprise. The keyboard feel and travel is just right for a classic model. The only discomfort comes from the trackball buttons that have indentations that are slightly unpleasant on longer use. Also, the slightly slanted palmrest creates a comfortable typing position.
-The keyboard, trackpoint and trackpoint buttons are at the classic IBM standard. While the keyboard is not quite the best, mainly due to the lift-able design feature that reduced the travelling distance of the keys and made the keyboard feel more rigid than it should, it is still good compared with some low-end products of other manufacturers.
+The sound capability of the laptop is unbalanced. Inclusion of a soundcard is highly appreciated but lack of volume controls, except when using proprietary applications, seriously limits comfort. This issue is even more annoying as the speaker can either be too loud or relatively normal, as there is some variability between same equipped models. Even when you can hear the speaker, the quality it provides is just too low. It is clear that it was mostly designed for beeps not sound or music playback. Even more annoying is the use of a belt-driven floppy drive platter, which makes replacements and operation near impossible after so many years. It is difficult to find adequate replacement belts, but more laptops used this poor and cheap solution on laptops, notably Toshiba, for unknown reasons.
-Software support is a mixed experience. While hardware capabilities are not outright bad, the video chipset seriously limit comfortable operating systems to Windows 3.1. Although Windows 95 is entirely possible, you should have at least 16MB of RAM available. DOS gaming is below average as anything newer than Wolfenstein 3D is barely playable, as is the case for the venerable DOOM.
+Software support is a mixed experience. While hardware capabilities are not outright bad, the video chipset seriously limit comfortable operating systems to Windows 3.1. Although Windows 95 is entirely possible, you should have at least 16MB of RAM available. DOS gaming is below average as anything newer than Wolfenstein 3D is barely playable, and the venerable DOOM is a good choice only for the 486 DX4 processors running at 100MHz.
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