A glance inside selected Japanese computer magazines
by Naoki Tokuda and Seiji Sakai
DOS/V (Oct. 15)
The main theme of this issue of DOS/V magazine is "Autumn '95:
The Latest State of Mobile PCs." There is a special review of IBM's
Palm Top PC 110, a hand-sized computer (SL-enhanced 486
SX/33) on which Windows 95 can run (although the manufacturer does not support
it). Part 1 of the section analyzes the phenomenon of mobile computing and
presents the editors' "ideal mobile PC." Part 2 reviews color-LCD
mobile PCs now available in the Japanese market, including the Pentium-based
IBM ThinkPad 755CDV, Sanyo Winky, and Dell Latitude XPi P90T and 100-MHz
DX4-based AT&T WIN Globalyst 200S, Seiko Epson VN410R, Compaq Contura
430CX, and Gateway 2000 Japan Liberty. Part 3 presents "assistware"
for mobile PCs, such as SCSI card, storage cards, modem/fax cards, sound
cards, and other convenient goods.
A second theme of this issue is "Introducing the Over-20-Inch Displays."
Part 1 presents the basic technical knowledge required for understanding
display product catalogs. Part 2 reviews several large-screen displays,
including those from Nanao, Idek, NEC, Taxan, TTD, AcerView, View Sonic,
Philips, MAG View, Mitsubishi, and Sony.
The regular Software Review section covers nine software titles, including
Ichitaro 6.3 for Windows, RAM Doubler for Windows, and Drafix CAD Professional,
while the CD-ROM FrontLine looks at 15 CD-ROM titles. The Hardware Review
section reviews video cards (including the Matrox MGA Millennium, Melco
WGP-S2, and ICM GP-2000PV-2M) and the Plextor PC-43CE/PX-45CE CD-ROM drives,
which support SCAM level 1. --NT
ASCII (November)
The main theme of the November issue of ASCII is "Enjoy Installing
Windows 95 by 256 Times." The first and second sections tell how to
check out machines currently running Windows 3.1 for use with Windows 95,
while the third section explains the installation procedures. The fourth
and fifth sections describe how to customize Windows 95 by changing desktop
design, modem settings, etc., and the last section reports on the results
of Win 3.1 applications tested under Win 95. Information on the Windows
95 upgrade services of major vendors is also given.
A secondary theme of this issue is "Super-Small Computer Age."
The editors and writer discuss small computers (including the IBM Palm Top
PC110 and Fujitsu OASYS Pocket3), PDAs, and other personal information tools.
The top story of the ASCII Express section focuses on a virtual museum on
the Internet provided by NTT Inter Communication Center. This month's report
is on the World PC Expo '95 at Makuhari Messe.
The regular New Model Impression section looks at NEC's PC-9821Xa series,
IBM's Aptiva series and ThinkPad 760C/CD, Gateway 2000 Japan's P5-75 multimedia
computer, Apple's Macintosh Power Book 5300c/100, and Sotec's WinBook Pro
P90T/Quattro 90. The Product Showcase covers JustSystem's Ichitaro dash2
for Windows (word processor), the Lotus Organizer R2.1J and Symantec ACT!
2.0 (schedulers), Tegret's Naoko no Daihitsu/Windows (writing assistant
software), three laser printers (by NEC and Hewlett Packard), and Apple's
Quick Take 100 (digital camera). --NT
Nikkei Personal Computing (Oct. 23)
The lead cover story of this issue of Nikkei Personal Computing is
"How to Pick the Best Large-Capacity Storage Device." In this
multimedia era, large-capacity storage has became essential for good PC
performance. Many large-capacity storage solutions have been introduced
to the market recently, especially removable storage devices. The article
compares the speed, device price, and media capacity and price for such
storage options as the 100MB Zip, 270MB removable HDD (EZ135), 140MB MD,
120MB FDD, 230MB MO, 640MB PD, 640MB MO (ISO/HS and PCR), 1GB R-HDD (Jaz),
CD-R, and tape, as well as the not-yet-released DVD (Digital Video Disk)
and DVD-ROM.
The regular First Looks section introduces new PCI models of Apple's Power
Macintosh, the Sotech WinBook Quattro 90 (a multimedia Pentium-90 notebook
PC), Hewlett Packard Japan's low-cost home-use LBP LaserJet 5L, and Fujitsu's
Printia Jet XJ-500 and HP Japan's Desk Jet 850C color printers.
The Product Watch section reports on 17-inch multiscan displays. Of seven
models evaluated, the clearest was Sony's CPD-17SF7, easiest to adjust was
Nanao's FlexScan 52, and richest in functions were Mitsubishi's RD17G2 and
NEC's Multi Sync 17 Pro.
This issue also reports on a popularity vote of PC software by over 25,000
readers of Nikkei publications. Selected Best Word Processor was Ichitaro
6/R.1 for Windows (JustSystem); Best Data Processor was MS Excel 5.0 for
Windows (Microsoft), Best Office Package was Oobantou 5 (MilkyWay), and
Best Data/Fax Communication Package was MyTalk for Windows (InterCOM). --SS
(c) Copyright 1996 by Computing Japan magazine