 GridCase 1537EXP | |
| Also known as | GRiD Case, GRiDCASE; Portable Sagem (France only) [1] [2] |
|---|---|
| Developer | Grid Systems Corporation (1985-1988) Tandy/GRiD Computer Systems (1988-1990) GRiD Defence Systems (1995-current) |
| Type | Laptop/Tablet PC |
| Release date | 1985 |
| Predecessor | Grid Compass II |
| Website | https://www.griduk.com/products/ |
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.
The notable model - GRiDCASE 1535EXP - is a rugged laptop designed for NASA to be used in space, and becomes the first rugged portable PC to attain full TEMPEST accreditation from the NSA. [3]
| 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 [3] | 1513; 1590 | ||||||||||||
| Desktop replacement | — | 1595 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fully rugged | Tablets | — | 2500 series | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rackmount PC's | — | 9161U | |||||||||||||||||||
1985; low-contrast LCD screen with green background (instead of orange/yellow plasma screen with black background on a Compass laptops).
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.
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. [5]
3D view:http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-3
1986; the rugged version of GRiDCASE 3 with electromagnetic protection.
3D view:http://vintage-laptops.com/en/grid-case-tempest
1988; can be equipped with plasma or LCD screen.
Was based on a 286 CPU.
 GridCase 1530 series laptop | |
| CPU | Intel 80386 (Intel 80387 optional) |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | DIN-5 Keyboard, Phone line, RS-232, Parallel, External peripheral, Video, Power 16 V DC [7] |
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 another modification - the Grid GRiDCASE 1537EXP - has another screen (640x480 instead of 640x400, 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.
1990; [6] This model has integrated pointing device, [6] an was based on a Intel 80386sx processor.
The 1550sx wersion has 4M RAM, have a 100 M hard disk, a 1.44 M 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]
In the period from 1990-1994, the Tandy Corp. together with the GRiD Systems Corp.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
Reintroduced in 1995 line.
Also have Tempest version (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
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