Kaypro 2000
Kaypro 2000
Model Number 81-040
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"Although the Kaypro 2000 comes with 256K RAM, you may want additional memory. At your option, you can have the factory install RAM chips to bring the system up to a total of 768K RAM. You could install the extra memory yourself, but letting the factory handle installation protects your warranty
With the full 768K ($195), spreadsheet and disk copying operations are much more convenient. And because the extra memory is internal, you aren't tied to the base unit. MS-DOS cannot use memory above its 640K boundary, but Kaypro includes RAM disk software that can make use of memory above 640K.
If you want to add an internal modem ($295), Kaypro offers a 1200-baud Hayes-compatible modem. The internal modem snaps into a connector on the mainbo,ard and fits completely inside the 2000 s casing, mother Kaypro option is the serial-to-parallel printer interface ($65). This universal interface allows almost every common printer with a standard Centronics parallel configuration to be connected directly to the 2000's serial port."
(Profiles V3 N6)
"The Kaypro 2000 is a lap-top computer much like the Data General One. There's a standard model that is also available with memory and modem upgrades. The basic Kaypro 2000 comes with 256K of RAM and one 720K 3 1/2-inch floppy drive. The enhanced version has 768K, a 3 1/2-inch drive, and an internal 1200-baud modem."
(Profiles V3 N6)
Kaypro 2000+
Model # 81-050
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The KAYPRO 2000+ is the bright choice in laptop computing. Here is the first laptop with all the power and performance of a desktop PC. The KAYPRO 2000+ delivers 50 percent more contrast and readability than conventional electroluminescent displays. And the Kaypro screen has a lifespan of 20,000 hours, compared with the three- to four-thousand hours typical of most other laptops.
Standard Specifications for the KAYPRO 2000+
| Processor: | NEC V20 Kayboard-selectable 4.77/8.0 MHz |
| Video/Display: | High Contrast, EGA-compatible Supertwist LCD Cold-catode flourescent backlit |
| Memory | 768 KB |
| Drives: | Dual 3.5 (720 KB each) |
| Ports: | Serial, parrellel, 5 1/4-inch floppy drive, monitor |
| Modem: | 300/1200 Hayes-Comatible, built-in |
(Charger is 81-1190-1)
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Kaypro intensified competition in the portable computer market yesterday by unveiling a new laptop model. Dubbed the Kaypro 2000+, the 16-pound IBM PC-compatible machine features an improved, full-sized screen and is expected to provide more than 20 percent of the company's revenues when full production begins later this year.
Kaypro's marketing strategy for the new computer is to avoid the low end of the market and instead bundle the laptop with an array of standard features. Thus the basic 2000+ comes equipped with operating system, word processing software, modem and more random access memory than most competitors. With a suggested retail price of $2,795, Kaypro says the machine will cost consumers less than comparably equipped laptops from IBM, Zenith and NEC.
Initial customers for the new machine, said David Kay, the company's president, will be sophisticated computer users seeking a second machine. "But as the technology becomes known... there will be as wide an acceptance as desktops," he said.
The Solana Beach computer maker says its machines are the first to incorporate two aspects of advanced technology. The 2000+ is the first marketed with a cold cathode backlit screen, as opposed to the electroluminescent screens offered by most competitors. The cold cathode screens have an estimated lifespan of 20,000 hours, at least five times longer than the estimated lifespan for screens with older technology, according to Kay. In addition, he said the cold cathode screens, which are manufactured by Sharp, are significantly brighter than other units.
The 2000+ is also the first laptop to offer full EGA capability (enhanced graphics adaptor), which provides higher-resolution graphics. Kay said this is particularly important because much of the most popular business used by the large companies exploits this graphics enhancement.
"The new technology puts laptops in a class with desktop personal computers," said Kay. He added that while he expected competitors to also include the new technology, he believes Kaypro has at least a nine-month lead in offering the advances.
(San Diego Union, Aug 27, 1987)
Kaypro Corp. unveiled a new and improved version of its laptop computer at the La Jolla Marriott yesterday in a bid to stay at the forefront of the increasingly competitive portable personal computer market.
The 16-pound? Kaypro 2000+ updates the company's original laptop introduced two years ago. The now model features a new "supertwist" LCD cold cathode backlit screen and improved graphics capability!
"The benefit is much higher resolution," said Karen Mock, Kaypro product manager.
The original Kaypro 2000. was criticized for having a difficult-to-read screen.
More memory, 768 KB of RAM, and the ability to plug the laptop into a conventional PC monitor are among the other features of the new computer. Dual processing speeds - 4.77 MHz or 8.0 MHz - allow users to take advantage of currently available hardware and software.
"Unlike many of the laptops on the market, there's a full package of software," Mock said, "including a communications program."
The 2000+ is also equipped with an internal Hayes-compatible 1200/300 baud modem. Mirror II communications software is included with the computer.
Kaypro is well-known for promoting its "bundled software," a package of various programs included with each computer, as a price advantage over the competition.
The new unit has a suggested list price of $2,795, including software, Mock said.
A Kaypro comparison shows the 2000+ list price is lower than similar products made by IBM, Zenith and NEC.
An even more advanced, 2000+ model with a 10 megabyte Winchester hard disk built-in is expected to be introduced sometime this fail, Mock said.
Kaypro's original laptop model sold less than expected, according to published reports, but Kaypro officials are optimistic about the 2000+ because of its price, improved screen, increased memory and a new feature allowing the computer to run on its internal six-volt removeable rechargeable battery, D-cell batteries or house current.
(Robert Scally, Likely San Diego Daily Transcript)
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A major glitch in getting parts has put the Kaypro Corp. three months behind on production of its new 2000+ laptop computer and dampened the company's chances of showing a profit in the first quarter that ended Nov. 30.
The Solana Beach personal computer manufacturer says it now has fixed the parts supply problem and, despite the delay, maintains a lead over other competitors in the market.
When it introduced the state-of-the-art laptop last August, Kaypro was banking on the 2000+ as a key element of its strategy for returning to profitability. The company, which lost $9.6 million for the year ended Aug. 28, estimated then that the laptop would generate 20 percent of its sales when it reached full production later in the year.
But company President David Kay said yesterday that parts ordered from an overseas supplier were defective and had to be sent back for retooling.
"We've had some production snafus that have prevented us from shipping in volume," Ray said. "The problem is mainly in parts ordered from overseas that were not made correctly."
The company has been shipping the laptops on a limited basis, but some local computer dealers, while enthusiastic about the product, say they haven't been able to keep the machines in stock.
"We're out of them now," said John Perty, owner of the Byte Shop in Clairemont, which has sold about "half a dozen" of the machines so far.
The 2000+ features a state-of-the art screen that the company claims is the most readable screen available, as well as more memory than other laptops.
Kay wouldn't say yesterday whether or not the company showed a profit in the first quarter, but he acknowledged that the problems with the laptop will have a negative impact on the results. "That will help," he said.
Kaypro has preliminary sales and earnings figures for the first quarter which ended Nov 30, but Kay declined to comment on them yesterday saying only that he would reserve his remarks until the official, figures are released, probably sometime in mid January.
The company's hopes for the new laptop not withstanding, the 2000+ so far has been nothing but trouble for Kaypro. A prototype of the laptop was unveiled last May at the Comdex trade show.
(Kaypro lags on laptop due to parts problems, David Coburn, Tribune Financial Writer, Clipping from David Kay's Collection)
"Part of the problem with the original 2000+ laptop was that it lacked a hard disk, said Kay, who blamed the problem on a former employee who "kept insisting that you couldn't put hard disks in a laptop." A new hard-disk model called the 2020 is due out next month, Kay said." (Kaypro: Looking for a star performer, clipping from David Kay)
Kaypro 2020?
"The Kaypro 2020 is a 12-MHz 286 laptop that comes standard with 1 megabyte of RAM, a 20-megabyte hard drive, an EGA-compatible backlit LCD screen, and a 300/1200-bps Hayes-com-patible modem. It will be priced at approximately $5,000 and will ship within 90 days." (Infoworld, November 28, 1988)
Kaypro 2000 Base Unit
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"The base station for the 2000 is close to completion, and plans for the modem for this computer are still in the discussion stage. It is not yet certain whether Kaypro will offer a 300- or 1200-baud version, nor whether it will be internal or external. Also undetermined as of now is whether the modem will be part of the standard package or offered as an option."
Kugram Vol.3 No.4
"The optional base unit ($795) is an expansion chassis that holds two full-length expansion cards and has room for two half-height 5.25-inch disk drives, or one half-height 5.25 floppy and a half-height hard disk. With the base unit, special-purpose cards can be used with the 2000, and direct conversion from 3.25- to 5 .25-inch diskettes is a snap. It also features both serial and parallel ports, freeing you from reliance on the single serial port on the 2000.
Interfacing the 2000 with the base unit is simple and straightforward. On the bottom of the 2000 is a 5.5inch hard rubber strip. Slip that protective strip away and you'll see two lines of 50 pins. This 100-pin maleto-female interface seats securely atop the corresponding pin slots on the upper surface of the base unit. No cables are needed."
(Profiles V3 N6)
Kaypro 2000 Multi Adapter
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"Similarly, the multi-adapter unit ($155) allows the 2000 to snap directly into place. With the multi-adapter, you can connect external disk drives and an RGB monitor. The multi-adapter includes a 5.25-inch disk port, a 3.5-inch disk port, a parallel port, and one half-length slot for a video card. Although the multiadapter will accept any half-length video board, Kaypro recommends using the Persyst II color card."
(Profiles V3 N6)
Kaypro 2000 External Floppy
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"If you do want another disk drive, Kaypro offers an ultra-small disk drive (1 x 4.5 x 6 inches) in the 3.5inch format. This external drive is enclosed in a brushed aluminum black casing, so it matches the 2000. Because this disk drive (priced at $295) is selfcontained, it is as portable as the 2000.
To use the optional 3.25-inch external disk drive, you simply connect the cable that conies with it into the multi-adapter's 3.5-inch port. Like the 2000, this external drive is battery powered.
If you want an external 5.25-inch disk drive, Kaypro offers one for $295. This 360K IBM-format drive is also enclosed in a matching brushed aluminum case and is fully portable. The 5.25-inch disk drive is designed to fit on your desktop, next to the 2000, but its internal power supply lets you take it anywhere."
(Profiles V3 N6)
Kaypro 2000 External Battery
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"If the 2000's four-hour battery isn't enough for you, you might consider the spare battery pack ($25). This external pack is small, measuring only 2 x 3.5 x 6 inches. With the external battery pack you'll get another four to eight hours of operation. Like the 2000's internal battery, the spare battery pack can be recharged with the standard AC adapter."
(Profiles V3 N6)
PC card and Cable
"If you have an IBM PC or compatible, Kaypro offers another option for modem-less transfer of files from the 2000 to the desktop. Kaypro's PC card and cable ($95) are designed to be plugged into the desktop PC and into the 5.25-inch port on the multi-adapter module. A software switch steers the drive to either computer, allowing you to transfer files between the 2000 and your desktop without needing to buy an additional drive."
(Profiles V3 N6)
Kaypro 2000 Power Supplies
Model Numbers: 81-707-1, 81-709, 81-737
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"Kaypro even has an optional dual input charger for less than $50 that operates from either 1 15v AC or 12v DC. This adapter replaces the adapter/recharger that came with your Kaypro 2000 and plugs into a standard 1 15v AC wall plug or the cigarette lighter in your car. If you happen to have a car with a 6- volt electrical system you don't need to buy the dual input charger. 'ibu simply go down to the nearest Radio Shack and buy a standard cigarette lighter power adapter. The only thing you have to be certain about is that the positive voltage is on the outside of the plug that connects to the back of your 2000, not the inside (they come both ways). This is probably the smartest use yet for a cigarette lighter."
(Profiles V3 N6)
Kaypro 2000 Floppies
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Accessory Prices
