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===Walkabout/SX===
The Walkabout/SX, introduced in March 1990, was a radical departure from its predecessor, measuring larger and heavier than the original Walkabout while giving it true [[IBM PC compatible|IBM PC compatibility]] through the adoption of [[Intel]]'s [[i386SX]] processor, a 3.5-inch, high-density [[floppy disk drive]], a [[Video Graphics Array|VGA]] display, and a standard IBM PC–compatible [[chipset]] and [[BIOS]]. A 40-MB [[hard disk drive]] came standard, as did [[Microsoft]]'s [[MS-DOS 4.1]] and [[GW-BASIC]] on floppy disk.<ref name=iw1>{{cite journal | last=Darrow | first=Barbara | date=March 26, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1DsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT20 | title=Data General Adds 386SX Laptop to Line | work=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=12 | issue=13 | page=21 | via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name=specs>{{cite journal | last=Howard | first=Bill | date=September 25, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LVCsAZClkfUC&pg=PT146 | title=Portable PCs: Summary of Features | work=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=9 | issue=17 | pages=130–139 | via=Google Books}}</ref>{{rp|135}} [[Sony]] and [[Conner Peripherals]] respectively manufactured the floppy and hard drives (the latter a CP3044 model hard drive), while [[Chips and Technologies]], [[Cirrus Logic]], and [[Phoenix Technologies]] respectively supplied the [[chipset]], the [[Graphics processing unit|GPU]] and [[BIOS]] ROM. A slot on the motherboard allows an [[Intel 80387|80387]] math coprocessor to be installed by the user.<ref name=specs />{{rp|135}} The i386SX processor operates at its fullest 16-MHz clock speed only when connected to wall power; when powered off the battery, the clock speed is cut in half. This was a power conservation feature on the part of Data General.<ref name=pcmreview />{{rp|148, 151}}
The laptop comes with 1 MB of [[Random-access memory|RAM]] stock, expandable to up to 8 MB with the use of [[SIMM]] slots on the motherboard, in increments of 1 MB or 2 MB.<ref name=iw1 /> Two propriety [[expansion slot]]s on the side take Data General's proprietary expansion cards for the machine. One slot is reserved for 8-bit cards, while the other is for 16-bit cards. Available in 1990 were a 2400-baud [[modem]] card, a [[StarLAN]] [[Ethernet]] networking card, and a [[barcode reader]] card; in 1991, the company released an expansion chassis card, allowing [[Industry Standard Architecture|ISA]] cards to be used with the Walkabout/SX.<ref name=pcmreview />{{rp|148, 151}} Data General also included two [[RS-232]] serial ports and one [[parallel port]] on the back of the Walkabout/SX allowing common peripherals like mice and printers to be used with the laptop.<ref>{{cite journal | date=March 26, 1990 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A8279932/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=DG debuts 386SX portable | work=PC Week | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=7 | issue=12 | page=15 | via=Gale}}</ref>
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The Walkabout/SX's backlit VGA display measures 8.25 inches wide by 5.25 inches high, making for a somewhat irregular [[Aspect ratio (image)|aspect ratio]] of 1.70:1, and can only display monochrome images, with 32 shades of grey. However, users can hook up an external monitor to obtain color display in a truer 1.33:1 aspect ratio.<ref name=pcmreview>{{cite journal | last=Brown | first=Bruce | date=September 25, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LVCsAZClkfUC&pg=PT162 | title=Data General Corp.: Walkabout/SX | work=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=9 | issue=17 | page=148–151 | via=Google Books}}</ref>{{rp|151}}
The Walkabout/SX measures {{convert|15.7|by|14.2|by|3.2|in|cm}} and weighs, depending on the configuration, between {{convert|16|lb|kg}} and {{convert|22|lb|kg}}.<ref name=cwmeasure>{{cite journal | date=May 21, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0trZRzRZHd0C&pg=PP92 | title=Laptops and notebooks (4 to 14 lbs.) | work=Computerworld | publisher=CW Communications | volume=XXIV | issue=21 | page=92 | via=Google Books}}</ref> The computer's stock Ni–Cd battery lasts between three and five hours on a single charge. Power conservation features include the aforementioned underclocking on battery power, as well as automatic screen blanking and automatic hard drive shutoff [[Terminate-and-stay-resident program|TSR programs]] included on
===Walkabout/320===
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In July 1990, Data General won a $3.6 million order from [[Rockwell International]]'s [[Allen-Bradley]] (AB) division to rebrand the Walkabout/SX as the Allen-Bradley T47. This incarnation of the laptop was remarketed by Allen-Bradley as a terminal for its line of [[programmable logic controller]]s (PLCs) for use in factory automation. Data General manufactured for AB a custom board slotting into one of the proprietary expansion slots a communications board, allowing it to interface with Allen-Bradley's 1784-KL PLC. As well, the T47 came preinstalled with AB's 6200 Series software.<ref>{{cite journal | date=July 24, 1990 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A8683698/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Minigrams | work=Computergram International | publisher=GlobalData | via=Gale}}</ref>
==Reception==
Robert D. Athey, Jr., reviewing the Walkabout/SX in ''DG Review'', found the computer overall comfortable to use and its processor speedier than advertised. He also gave the built-in LCD high marks for readability and graphical reproduction. However, Athey found the built-in floppy disk very slow and found the keyboard occasionally intermittent. Van Van Horn, also writing about the Walkabout/SX in the same publication, deemed the computer heavier than most laptops on the market at the time (at 22 lb for his configuration) but found it nonetheless roadworthy and sturdy. Horn rated the laptop's PC compatibility well and found parallel communications with other computers speedy. Unlike Athey, Horn found the LCD mediocre in most reading environments except broad daylight.<ref name=otr>{{cite journal | last=Van Horn | first=Van | date=January 1991 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A9391120/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=On the Road | work=Van Horn | publisher=New Media Publications | volume=11 | issue=7 | page=14 ''et seq''. | via=Gale}}</ref>
==References==
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