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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's1990's2000's2010's2020's
198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Laptops
Regular rugged23152015301550Tandy GRiD laptops1580
Fully ruggedSubnotebook1510
Regular sizeTempest1535;1537Tandy GRiD laptops1580T (Tempest)1580 XGA15901513;

1590

Desktop replacement1595
Other
Fully ruggedTablets2500 series
Rackmount PC's9161U
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Models

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).2

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.3

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:4

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.5

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;6 This model has an integrated pointing device,7 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

Tandy GRiD laptops

Main article: 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

See also

References

  1. "Company History". GRiD Defence Systems. Retrieved 2021-07-30. https://www.griduk.com/about/history/

  2. "DigiBarn Systems: GRiDcase 2". www.digibarn.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14. https://www.digibarn.com/collections/systems/gridcase-2/index.html

  3. "GRiD Compass 1101 computer". http://www.oldcomputers.net/grid1101.html

  4. "Grid 1550 and 1530". staff.salisbury.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-30. http://staff.salisbury.edu/~rafantini/grid_1550_and_1530.htm

  5. "Company History". GRiD Defence Systems. Retrieved 2021-07-30. https://www.griduk.com/about/history/

  6. "Grid 1550 and 1530". staff.salisbury.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-30. http://staff.salisbury.edu/~rafantini/grid_1550_and_1530.htm

  7. "Grid 1550 and 1530". staff.salisbury.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-30. http://staff.salisbury.edu/~rafantini/grid_1550_and_1530.htm

  8. "Rune's PC-Museum". pc-museum.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14. http://pc-museum.com/officewing.htm