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 | — | |||||||||||||
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 |
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
- GridPad
- Grid SE-T
- Grid Lite
References
"Company History". GRiD Defence Systems. Retrieved 2021-07-30. https://www.griduk.com/about/history/ ↩
"DigiBarn Systems: GRiDcase 2". www.digibarn.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14. https://www.digibarn.com/collections/systems/gridcase-2/index.html ↩
"GRiD Compass 1101 computer". http://www.oldcomputers.net/grid1101.html ↩
"Grid 1550 and 1530". staff.salisbury.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-30. http://staff.salisbury.edu/~rafantini/grid_1550_and_1530.htm ↩
"Company History". GRiD Defence Systems. Retrieved 2021-07-30. https://www.griduk.com/about/history/ ↩
"Grid 1550 and 1530". staff.salisbury.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-30. http://staff.salisbury.edu/~rafantini/grid_1550_and_1530.htm ↩
"Grid 1550 and 1530". staff.salisbury.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-30. http://staff.salisbury.edu/~rafantini/grid_1550_and_1530.htm ↩
"Rune's PC-Museum". pc-museum.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14. http://pc-museum.com/officewing.htm ↩