GridPad
{{short description|Series of pen computing tablets}}
{{Infobox computer
|name = GridPad
|logo =
|photo = GRiD 2260 134241 Padenrich Ave.jpg
|caption = GRiDPad 2260 in tablet mode
|developer = Grid Systems Corporation
|type = Tablet computer{{br}}or 2-in-1 PC
|aka = GRiD PalmPad (235# models){{br}} GRiD Convertible (22#0 models)
|manufacturer =
|Processor =
|os =
|first_release_date = {{start date and age|sep 1989}}
|discontinued = 1994
|predecessor =
|graphics =
|marketing_target =
|related =
|website =
}}
File:GRiD 2260 134252 Padenrich Ave.jpg
The GridPad (stylized as GRiDPad) is a discontinued family of pen-enabled tablet computers and hybrid laptops built by Grid Systems Corporation.
The GRiDPad 1900, released in 1989, is regarded as the first commercially successful tablet computer and predecessor to modern 2-in-1 devices. Jeff Hawkins went on to use the GRiDPad as a predecessor for his best known-invention, the Palm Pilot.
Specifications
The GRiDPad 1900 measured {{convert|9|x|12|x|1.4|in}} and weighed {{convert|4.5|lb}}.{{cite web|last=Barnett|first=Shawn|title=Jeff Hawkin|url=http://www.pencomputing.com/palm/Pen33/hawkins2.html|work=The man who almost single-highhandedly revived the handheld computer industry|publisher=Pen Computing Magazine}} The main distinguishing aspect was its touchscreen interface with a stylus, a pen-like tool to aid with precision in a touchscreen device. The stylus was able to use handwriting-recognition software. The GRiDPad also included these features:
- 10 MHz 80C86 processor
- MS-DOS operating system – the popular operating system used by IBM PC-compatible personal computers
- A monochromatic Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) display resolution of 640x400
- 256KB or 512KB battery-backed RAM cards
- 1MB or 2MB of system memory
- One serial port, two ATA-FLASH slots, and an expansion bus connector
Models
| class="wikitable" | |||||||||
| Device || Model No. || Processor || Memory || Storage || Display || Software || Weight & dimensions || Introduced || Notes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GridPad | 1900 | Intel 8086 (10 MHz) | 1 MB RAM | PCMCIA | 10", 640 × 400 B&W | MSDOS 3.3, GridPen | {{cvt|4.5|lb}}, 12.5 x 9.25 x 1.5" | Sep 1989 | 1st tablet |
| GridPad HD/RC | 1910 | NEC v20 (9.5 MHz) | 2 MB RAM | 1–2 PCMCIA; 20 MB HDD option | 10", 640 × 400 B&W backlit | MSDOS 3.3, GridPen | {{cvt|4.5|lb}}, 12.5 x 9.25 x 1.5" | Jul 1991 | 20MB HDD on HD; RC has 2 PCMCIA and wireless option |
| PalmPad | 2350/51/52 | NEC v20 (9.5 MHz) | 2–2.5 MB RAM | PCMCIA | 6.5", 640 × 400 B&W backlit | MSDOS 5.0, PenRight | {{cvt|2.8|lb}}, 9 x 6.25 x 1.9" {{br}}(318 x 235 x 38 mm) | Mar 1992 | 1st Wearable; Wireless 902-928 MHz spread spectrum radio on 2352 |
| GridPad SL | 2050 | Intel 80386 (20 MHz) | 20 MB RAM | 40–120 MB HDD; PCMCIA | 10", VGA, 32 greyscale | Windows 3.1 for Pen, PenRight | 2.26 kg, 292 × 236 × 37.6 mm | 1992 | Licensed variation of Samsung Penmaster |
| GridPad Convertible | 2260/2270 | 80386/80486SL (25 MHz) | 4–20 MB RAM | 80–120 MB HDD; PCMCIA | 9.5", VGA, 64 greyscale | Windows 3.1 for Pen, PenRight | {{cvt|9.6|lb}} | Dec 1992 | 1st Convertible; Screen moves up to reveal full keyboard; Also sold as AST PenExec 3/25SL and 4/25SL |
| GridPad | 2390 | 7.5-MHz 8088-compatible CPU | 4 MB RAM | PCMCIA | 320 x 256 | MSDOS 3.3, GEOS 2.0, PenRight | {{cvt|0.95|lb|kg}}, 7 x 4.25 x 1" | Jun 1993 | Casio Zoomer/ Z-7000, XL7000, Tandy Z-PDA and AST Gridpad 2390 |
Because of its use for inventory management, the United States Army specified more durable versions of the tablet made out of magnesium that were not sold to the general public. The US Army specially ordered magnesium because it is a strong yet light metal, making it ideal for use in demanding environments.{{cite web|last=Unknown|title=GRidPad 1910|url=http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/6565/GRidPad-1910/|publisher=Computing History|access-date=2012-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605085743/http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/6565/GRidPad-1910/|archive-date=2012-06-05|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=McCracken|first=Harry|title=The Long Fail: A Brief History of Unsuccessful Tablet Computers|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/188223/the_long_fail_a_brief_history_of_unsuccessful_tablet_computers.html|publisher=PCWorld}}
According to a patent submitted in 1992 by an engineer at GRiD Systems, the touchscreen in the GRiDPad works by magnifying an internal Cartesian plane and calculating the displacement.{{cite web|last=Liou|first=Kwang-Wan|title=Optical Encoding Methods and Device|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US5086197|publisher=United States Patent|access-date=14 February 2012}} Further patents by Jeff Hawkins describe flipping the screen orientation between landscape and portrait.
{{cite web|last=Hawkins|first=Jeff|title=Display Output Rotation|
url=http://users.erols.com/rwservices/pens/biblio93.html#HawkinsJC91a|publisher=United States Patent|accessdate=15 July 2013}}
Reception
Because of its text-recognition interface, the GRiDPad was marketed toward specialist consumers who would use the tablet for bookkeeping. The GRiDPad was "designed to streamline the chores of workers such as route delivery drivers and claims adjusters, who typically recorded data on paper forms."{{cite web|last=Daly |first=J |title=Grid portable writes a new script |url=http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=TRD&recid=2106843CI&q=gridpad&uid=791465694&setcookie=yes |publisher=COMPUTER WORLD |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721223658/http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=TRD&recid=2106843CI&q=gridpad&uid=791465694&setcookie=yes |archivedate=2013-07-21 }} Some of the agencies that used the GRiDPad included Chrysler, San Jose Police Department,{{cite web|last=Daly |first=J |title=San Jose police first to use Gridpad |url=http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=TRD&recid=2398614CI&q=gridpad&uid=791465694&setcookie=yes |publisher=COMPUTER WORLD |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721215327/http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=TRD&recid=2398614CI&q=gridpad&uid=791465694&setcookie=yes |archivedate=2013-07-21 }} and even the US Government. The first commercial customer to use the GRiDPad and who contributed to the overall requirements was Best Foods Baking Group, a division of CPC International.
The average selling price for one unit was US$2,370 without software, and $3,000 with software. It was so successful that it sold approximately $30 million in its best year.{{cite journal|last=Atkinson|first=P|title=A bitter pill to swallow: the rise and fall of the tablet computer|journal=Sheffield Hallam University Research Archive|year=2008|volume=24|issue=4|pages=3–25|doi=10.1162/desi.2008.24.4.3|s2cid=34407951|url=http://shura.shu.ac.uk/969/|accessdate=13 February 2012|doi-access=free}}
Legacy
Although the GriDPad had the same operating system as personal computers, it was not designed to be a replacement for computers. Hawkins once said, "I never saw pen computers as a replacement for a full PC..." Although it did not replace computers, it did pave the way for other companies to invest more into tablet computers.
Not only did the GRiDPad start paving the way for tablet computers, it also helped propel Jeff Hawkins' career. Hawkins used the same stylus technology to develop his most commercially successful product, the Palm Pilot, making the GRiDPad its predecessor.