• Tadpole_SPARCbook_3TX

Introduction

With the goal of providing engineering and commercial workstation users an uncompromised portable computing solution, Tadpole Technology created the SPARCbook 3 family of upgradable workstation-class notebook computers. These SPARCbook 3 products were originally designed to be used as stand-alone systems, networked workstations, X-terminals and as general-use portable workstations.

There were (at least) eight different members of the SPARCbook 3 family:

• SPARCbook 3

• SPARCbook 3LC

• SPARCbook 3XP (also called S3XP)

• SPARCbook 3XS

• SPARCbook 3GX (also called S3GX)

• SPARCbook 3GS

• SPARCbook Server (also called SPARCbook 3 Server)

• SPARCbook 3TX

• The SPARCbook 3XP, 3GX, and Server contained MicroSPARC CPUs, PCMCIA Type I/II/III, removable SCSI hard drive, up to 128 MB of low profile 60ns 72pin parity SIMMs, a 14.4K baud modem, 16-bit DBRI audio, and a Weitek P9100 Graphics Accelerator chip with 2MB onboard for the framebuffer.

• The SPARCbook 3XP had an 85 MHz MicroSPARC II processor, and a 2 hour internal battery.

• The SPARCbook 3GX had a 110 MHz MicroSPARC II processor, and a better quality 800 x 600 10.4" active matrix TFT display.

• The SPARCbook Server had a 110 MHz MicroSPARC II processor, but only a 640 x 480 display.

• The SparcBook 3TX (original retail price $16,950) incorporates Fujitsu's 170-MHz [TurboSparc] processor with 256 KB of Level 2 cache; 32 MB of DRAM, expandable to 128 MB; the 800 x 600 10.4-inch active-matrix TFT display.

Tadpole originally targeted the SPARCbook 3 family at the following market sectors:

• Demonstration/Presentation Software Developers, General
• Mapping and Analysis GIS, Medical, Biotech
• Equipment Maintenance Communications, Aerospace, Utilities
• Technical Support Technical and Commercial
• Software Development Technical and Commercial
• Engineering Technical, Auto, CAD/CAM
• Remote Trading Banking, Insurance, Brokerage
• Disaster Recovery Banking, Trading, Communications
• Mobile Training Centers Workstation and Software suppliers
• Software Demonstration Software Developers

Trivia

The Tadpole SPARCbook 3TX is one of only two known systems to use the Fujitsu TurboSPARC 170MHz (the other is a SPARCStation 5 variant).

Tested Configurations

Detailed Specifications

(NOTE: These are pieced together from a variety of sources, and may not be entirely accurate.)