A couple questions about the dialogs....

[Dav]

It’s a good workaround, would use it if needed.  I’m still learning the Linux differences. I swear my laptop battery last much longer under Linux.

- Dav

It's not using all the extra CPU resources to to spy and upload your personal information to the mother ship (Microsoft).

I guess that’s it, Terry.  Hey, I found a mint T430s for <$100. If I remember, you said once you have that model. Nice laptop. Wish there was an extra larger battery option for it like the T430..  I think I’m going make this one a dedicated Linux laptop.

- Dav

[TerryRitchie]

It’s a good workaround, would use it if needed.  I’m still learning the Linux differences. I swear my laptop battery last much longer under Linux.

- Dav

It's not using all the extra CPU resources to to spy and upload your personal information to the mother ship (Microsoft).

I guess that’s it, Terry.  Hey, I found a mint T430s for <$100. If I remember, you said once you have that model. Nice laptop. Wish there was an extra larger battery option for it like the T430..  I think I’m going make this one a dedicated Linux laptop.

- Dav

Yep, I still have that laptop and still use it. You can get a battery that slides into the CDROM bay if you want longer run times. I have one and it adds about another 35 to 40% runtime to the laptop. Here's an example I found on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/45N1040-45N1041-4...B08X3L3M5S

I've had a few different flavors of Linux on mine along with Windows 7. Mint seemed to be the smoothest running although PopOS! ran well too.

You found an excellent price on one. If you haven't yet put an SSD in it. That really boosts its performance.

[Dav]

Thanks for the link!   I'll be getting that!  That means I can sit in the coffee shops 40% longer and code.    Yep, I put a SSD in it.  Right now it has Win7, but Linux will live on it soon.   The Linux Mint/Linux Lite/Zorin USB bootable thumb drives I have run well with it.    Been pretty lucky finding laptops in pawn shops for cheap.

- Dav

[TerryRitchie]

Thanks for the link!   I'll be getting that!  That means I can sit in the coffee shops 40% longer and code.    Yep, I put a SSD in it.  Right now it has Win7, but Linux will live on it soon.   The Linux Mint/Linux Lite/Zorin USB bootable thumb drives I have run well with it.    Been pretty lucky finding laptops in pawn shops for cheap.

- Dav

Wish I had a few pawn shops close. I have to drive to Toledo (35 miles) to find one. I bought my first IBM-PC compatible, a Tandy 1000EX, at a pawn shop in North Carolina around 1990. I still have it and it still runs great. Upgraded the CPU to an NEC V20 about 20 years ago and added one of these a few years back:

https://dfarq.homeip.net/tandy-3-in-1-ex...hx-and-ex/

I have a 4GB CF card in mine. A 4GB hard drive in a 1986 Tandy 1000EX, LOL. I think I have every piece of software ever made for the 1000EX from 1986 to 1994 on the drive and still have over half the space available.

[Dav]

Now that's a blast from the past!  I remember those in the local Radio Shack.   It's amazing how people are improving old pc's like that.  I have a Tandy Model 100 portable somewhere (maybe it's a 102...) that still worked last time I turned it on.  It runs on 4 AA batteries for a long time.  I'll have to find it now, at least to make sure I took the batteries out so it doesn't get messed up.  I wonder what people today are modding those into...

NC has a lot of pawn shops (I'm in NC). Usually whenever I have a gig somewhere if I have time I'll check out the local shop for musical instruments/audio gear, and T430 laptops.

- Dav

[TerryRitchie]

Now that's a blast from the past!  I remember those in the local Radio Shack.   It's amazing how people are improving old pc's like that.  I have a Tandy Model 100 portable somewhere (maybe it's a 102...) that still worked last time I turned it on.  It runs on 4 AA batteries for a long time.  I'll have to find it now, at least to make sure I took the batteries out so it doesn't get messed up.  I wonder what people today are modding those into...

NC has a lot of pawn shops (I'm in NC). Usually whenever I have a gig somewhere if I have time I'll check out the local shop for musical instruments/audio gear, and T430 laptops.

- Dav

Model 100s are so cool! I used to have one back in the 90s and wish I would have kept it. You can do this if it doesn't work any longer:

https://hackaday.com/2021/01/17/trs-80-m...-wide-lcd/

Here's some modern upgrades you can get for it if it's still in working order:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275943255679
https://www.ebay.com/itm/402652485830
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166175088985
https://www.ebay.com/itm/325480480585

And here are the clubs:

http://www.club100.org/
https://bitchin100.com/

[Dav]

Wow, there's a club for everything!  Mine is still working!  The keyboard actually feels very good.  I even found a book that must have come with it.  Instead of upgrading it, I think I just display on my bookcase.  It looks kind of cool.

- Dav

[Dav]

Hey @TerryRitchie, I thought you may enjoy seeing it run.  It was fun to tinker with again, but the wife wants me to get rid of it and a lot more computer junk (I have too much), so I guess I will end up giving this away.  Grabbed a screenshot for memories.

- Dav

   

[TerryRitchie]

Hey @TerryRitchie, I thought you may enjoy seeing it run.  It was fun to tinker with again, but the wife wants me to get rid of it and a lot more computer junk (I have too much), so I guess I will end up giving this away.  Grabbed a screenshot for memories.

- Dav

@Dav

Oh, that's a 102, the younger brother to the 100.

Give it away!? I accept old TRS-80 donations I even pay for the shipping.

Fond memories of programming on an 8085.

[Dav]

Tell you what, Terry, if she makes me get rid of it, you can have it.  Perhaps your students would get a kick out of seeing it.

Here's a guy that worked up a self-powered wifi card to one, to connect to the internet.  Cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEgPxLFS9Jo

- Dav