GridCase
Line of rugged tablets and laptops
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 | , N/a | |||||||||||||
| Fully rugged | Subnotebook | , N/a | 1510 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Regular size | , N/a | Tempest | , N/a | 1535; 1537 |
Tandy GRiD laptops | 1580T (Tempest) | 1580 XGA | 1590 | 1513;
1590 | ||||||||||||
| Desktop replacement | , N/a | 1595 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fully rugged | Tablets | , N/a | 2500 series | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rackmount PC's | , N/a | 9161U | |||||||||||||||||||
01Models
Former line
GRiDCASE 2
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.
GRiDCASE 3
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.
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-3
GRiDCASE 3 Tempest
1986; the rugged version of GRiDCASE 3 with electromagnetic protection.
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-tempest
GRiDCASE 1520
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 1530
Source:
| GridCase 1530 series laptop | |
| CPU | Intel 80386 (Intel 80387 optional) |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | DIN-5 Keyboard, Phone line, RS-232, Parallel, External peripheral, Video, Power 16 V DC |
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.
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
GRiDCASE 1550
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.
3D view: http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-1550sx
Tandy GRiD laptops
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
GRiD Defence Systems GRiDCASE
Reintroduced in 1995 line.
GRiDCASE 1580
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
GRiDCASE 1590
GRiDCASE 1510
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “GridCase”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- GRiDCASE 1537EXP laptop (1).jpg by Matt Joyce, CC BY 2.0
- GRiDCASE 3 screen.jpg by Bill Branson (Photographer), Public domain
- AEG Olympia Olyport 45 (6981097672).jpg by Wolfgang Stief from Tittmoning, Germany, CC0
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