RDI PowerLite explained

The RDI PowerLite is a series of SPARC-based laptops and mobile workstations marketed by RDI Computer Corporation.

PowerLite models were all based on Sun's sun4m architecture, and were fully compatible with all operating systems and software developed for them. All models had support for two 2.5" SCSI hard drives and one floppy drive or PCMCIA adapter, or three 2.5" SCSI hard drives. 104-key keyboards and trackballs were also included. In addition, there were docking stations available, with SBus slots and additional 3.5" hard drive bays.

A ruggedized model was also released, the RUGGEDIZED PowerLite, with one floppy drive and PCMCIA standard, and an optional CD-ROM or DAT drive.

ModelCPUCPU MHzFramebufferLCD optionsBase RAMMax RAMWeightSimilar Sun model
PowerLite 50[1] microSPARC50 MHzcgthree10.4", 640x480, 256 color, 65,535 color palette
10.4", 1024x768, 256 color, 512 color palette
16 MiB80 MiB8.5lbSPARCclassic
PowerLite 85[2] microSPARC II85 MHzTurbo GX10.4", 640x480, 256 color, 262,144 color palette
10.4", 800x600, 262,144 colors[3]
10.4", 1024x768, 256 color, 512 color palette
32 MiB128 MiB8.5lb, later 7.5lbSPARCstation 5
PowerLite 110microSPARC II110 MHzTurbo GX10.4", 640x480, 256 color, 262,144 color palette
10.4", 800x600, 262,144 colors
10.4", 1024x768, 256 color, 512 color palette
12.1", 1024x768, 4,096 colors[4]
32 MiB128 MiB8.5lb, later 7.5lbSPARCstation 5
RUGGEDIZED PowerLite[5] microSPARC II110 MHzTurbo GX10.4", 640x480
10.4", 1024x768
32 MiB128 MiB30lbSPARCstation 5
PowerLite Turbo 170[6] TurboSPARC170 MHzTurbo GX12.1", 800x600, 262,144 colors
12.1", 1024x768
32 MiB[7] 256 MiB7.5lbSPARCstation 5

Notes

  1. (1994-05) PowerLite Personal Workstation Hardware Reference Guide RDI Computer Corporation. Accessed 2010-01-31.
  2. (1995-01-31) RDI Computer Corp. introduces PowerLite 85; first portable SPARC workstation to combine 85-MHz speed with multi-gigabyte storage and an accelerated high-resolution display. The Free Library. Accessed 2010-02-01.
  3. (1995-09-06) RDI Computer Corp. reduces prices by up to 62 percent and adds new features; Pricing for the PowerLite family of powerful, portable UNIX workstations now starts at under $6,000. The Free Library. Accessed 2010-02-01.
  4. (1996-06-05) RDI delivers first SPARC-based portable workstation to incorporate a 12inches, high-resolution display. The Free Library. Accessed 2010-02-01.
  5. (1995-06-06) RDI Computer introduces the RUGGEDIZED PowerLite; the first 110-MHz SPARC-based portable workstation for government and industrial use. The Free Library. Accessed 2010-02-01.
  6. (1996-12-16) RDI Computer Corporation Ships Industry's Fastest SPARC Notebook. The Free Library. Accessed 2010-02-01.
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/19970102091224/http://www.rdi.com/powerlite170.html RDI Products (PowerLite Turbo 170)