| GRiDCASE | |
| Type: | Laptop/Tablet PC |
| Developer: | Grid Systems Corporation (1985–1988)Tandy/GRiD Computer Systems (1988–1990)GRiD Defence Systems (1995–present) |
| Aka: | GRiD Case, Portable Sagem (France only)[1] [2] |
| Website: | https://www.griduk.com/products/ |
GridCase (stylized as GRiDCASE) is a line of rugged tablets and laptops by Grid Systems Corporation released as a successor of the GRiD Compass line. The first model was released in 1985.
| GRiDCASE models | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980's | 1990's | 2000's | 2010's | 2020's | |||||||||||||||||
| 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | |||||||
| Laptops | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Regular rugged | 2 | 3 | 1520 | 1530 | 1550 | Tandy GRiD laptops | 1580 | colspan="6" | |||||||||||||
| Fully rugged | Subnotebook | 1510 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Regular size | Tempest | 1535;1537 | Tandy GRiD laptops | 1580T (Tempest) | 1580 XGA | 1590 | 1513;1590 | ||||||||||||||
| Desktop replacement | 1595 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fully rugged | Tablets | 2500 series | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rackmount PC's | 9161U | ||||||||||||||||||||
1985; low-contrast LCD screen with green background (instead of orange/yellow plasma screen with black background on a Compass laptops).
This model was based on a MSDOS 2.11 and a bunch of apps burned on ROM that fit in the ROM tray in front.
1986; returning to a plasma screens (but with red/orange text color and wide aspect ratio). The internal power supply can be ejected and a battery-pack is installed in its place.[4]
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-3
1986; the rugged version of GRiDCASE 3 with electromagnetic protection.
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-tempest
1988; can be equipped with plasma or LCD screen.
Was based on a 286 CPU.
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-1520
| GridCase 1535EXP | |
| Processor: | Intel 80386 (Intel 80387 optional) |
| Connectivity: | DIN-5 Keyboard, Phone line, RS-232, Parallel, External peripheral, Video, Power 16 V DC[6] |
The modification of 1530 – the Grid GRiDCASE 1535EXP is a rugged laptop with a 80386 CPU, an optional 80387 floating-point processor and up to 8 Mbyte of DRAM. It was first flown into space in December 1992 on the STS-53 for use of the HERCULES geolocation device. The 1535EXP was also the first rugged portable PC to attain full TEMPEST accreditation from the NSA.[7]
Another modification – the Grid GRiDCASE 1537EXP – has another screen (640×480 instead of 640×400, but with less physical size).
The power input is 100–240 V AC 50/60/400 Hz, 80 W. The 400 Hz utility frequency is common on airplanes and submarines.
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-1537e
1990; This model has an integrated pointing device, and was based on an Intel 80386sx processor.
The 1550sx version has 4 MB RAM, a 100 MB hard disk, a 1.44 MB floppy drive, a hardly visible B/W VGA-LCD screen, a built in 2400 bps modem and weights 5.5 kg (12 lbs.) without battery or power supply.[8]
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-1550sx
In the period from 1990–1994, the Tandy Corporation together with GRiD Systems Corporation produced the following models:
GRiD 1450SX – 3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-1450sx
GRiD 1810 – 3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-1810
GRiD 1660 and 1660C – 3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-1660
GRiD 1680 and 1680C – 3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-1680
GRiD 1720, 1750, 1755 – 3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-1755
GRiD 4025N and 4025NC – 3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-4025nc
Reintroduced in 1995 line.
There is also a Tempest version of this model (1580T).
Pentium and pointing stick (initial model, 1995) or Pentium II and touchpad (1580 XGA, 1998).
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-1580
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-1580-tempest
3D view: https://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-1580-XGA