The era of bringing a digital laptop computer into the suitcase is upon us with the recent introduction of two new technologies and the emerging of still three more in 1997. With the Intel MMX chip and the 'Firewire' protocol, we must act now to impliment the final link in our 'suitcase' approach to video taping on-the-fly. Last year we used the 12.1" super screens as our preview monitor from the MX-1 mixer and as a possible link for telephony (some of you even went so far as to put all your billing and business accounts on line). Now comes the actual integration of the computer into the video and later audio path of our set-up. We will now see the laptop replacing our character generator and then our video mixer thanks to 'Firewire.' I also see no reason not to impliment Quick Books and a portable color printer at this time (talk about the possibilities!). Our followers in Japan, especially Osaka, have spread sheets, cellular phone/fax already up and running which they have dubed 'Office in a Suitcase!' This allows them to be still in business (taking calls, making appointments & signing any contracts) all while they are at a shoot and on location!

We are looking in 1997 for the following requirements
Pentium MMX 133 to 533MHz (here we want a cool running chip than a hot one)
13.3" or 14.1" TFT LCD (here we need all the view we can get to see all four PIP's) 3.1GB HDD or higher (both Toshiba & Seagate have this roomy monster out)
48 MB RAM (needed just for the sheer processing power to move video streams)
CD-MO Fujitsu (4x or higher) Rewriteable CD's will be a blessing, RIP floppies)
Video In/Out w/MPEG (RCA only for now, but watch for DV possibly late this year)

It would not hurt here to be under 6 and later 5 lbs and 1.5 to 2 inches thick
The price to own this race horse first will be steep ...$5,000+ But in 1yr $2,000 or less!