Unisys Corp is in the process of acquiring the remains of Dynabook Technologies Corp, a Californian start-up that seemed to be forging ahead in handheld computer market – and Agilis Corp, another Californian company that seemed to be ripping ahead with the technology, has now shut down its portable computer operation. The two companies caused a sensation last year when, within a couple of months of each other, they launched notebook computers, half a year ahead of the likes of Toshiba’s T1000SE Dynabook and the Fujitsu-backed Poquet. But despite that first-to-market advantage, both have now dropped out of the race. Dynabook attempted to redefine the market with its Dynabook 286 system, a computer offering the power of an 80286-based desktop system in a book-sized package. Launched in July last year, the central processor module weighs 6.4 lbs, and measures 1.4 by 13.6 by 11. It is fully configured to be used as a desk-top computer, and with the flick of two latches connects all cabling, with up to nine input-output interface connections on the optional docking module. Such was the market confidence surrounding the launch that ComputerLand agreed to distribute the machines under an initial order said to be over $6m – the largest such order ever given by ComputerLand to a new vendor. But despite this and backing to the tune of UKP37m Dynabook has flopped. According to the Wall Street Journal, its fall was due in part to a series of technical failures. The original machine had to be redesigned from scratch after 18 months and even after manufacturing began, design errors kept cropping up, forcing several redesigns.
For Sale
The final straw came last autumn. After it had been shipped to dealers, the screen proved defective. Now the company’s assets are being sold to Unisys for an undisclosed sum – Unisys refused to comment on the $5m figure which has been mentioned. And Dynabook has no comment on the situation. However, Unisys did say that it intends to continue making and marketing the 286 machines. But Agilis, is to stop manufacture of its Agilis System just a year after its introduction. The Agilis System is a modular, battery-powered computer, about the size of a notebook, using an 80386 processor. A touch-screen interface connects to Microsoft Windows, enabling the user to operate the computer with one hand. With its radio Ethernet option, the box was designed for use in the field, for diagnostics and data retrieval on aircraft and in vehicles. Press reports have said that the manufacture of the mobile workstation was too expensive to be economically viable. Agilis’ reason for halting production is that it wants to focus on one technology, namely radio networks. It will not reveal how many of the systems have actually been sold, but it reckons that sales were very strong. At the same time Agilis recognises the many large players in the handheld computer market. And as with its Californian counterpart, the For Sale sign is almost certain to go up soon on its notebook computer arm.
