DOS Palmtop: Master Tidalwave PS-1000 Details and specs

Master Tidalwave PS-1000 (MASTER Tidalwave PS-1000)

About this machine:

If you have read my article about the Tidalwave PS-1000 you know everything about this one as well. Really. Of all the lame brandings of Tidalwave PS-1000 palmtop computers this is probably the lamest of it all. Actually they just put a sticker "MASTER" in the lower right corner of the screen. Yup, that's the whole difference between the Tidalwave PS-1000 and the MASTER Tidalwave PS-1000. Obviously MASTER was an italian company that was one of the many distributors worldwide that decided to sell the PS-1000 under their own brand. About the rest i can only guess. Maybe Tidalwave offered them without custom branding for 10 cents less or so. Obviously MASTER did not want to write an italian localization or spend money on it. The model was featured in the July/August Issue 1992 of the italian computer magazine "MC Microcomputer" in a lengthy comparison of several palmtop computers. It was originally issued for around 1,000,000 Italian Lira, something around 500 USD back in the days i think.

Specs:

CPU: NEC V30 @ 7.15 MHz
Graphics: Monochrome CGA, 80 x 25 character text mode, CGA 2 color monochrome graphics mode
Display: 640 x 200 monochrome Supertwist LCD , 4 grey scales, 7.2 inch
Memory (RAM): 1 MB
ROM (Software): 1.5 MB
I/O ports: RS232 Serial (proprietary cable was included accessory), PCMCIA 1.0 Type I slot, Parallel port (proprietary cable included)
Sound: PC Speaker - Piezo
Operating System: MS-DOS 5.0
Software: MS Works 2.0, RacePen PIM (File manager, scheduler, phone book, etc), Microsoft QBasic
Size: Length 11.5 cm, Width 24.5 cm, Height 2.5 cm (4.5 inches x 9.7 inches x 1 inch)
Powered by: 2 AA batteries - rechargable or non-rechargable or AC adaptor (optional accessory), CR2032 Lithium button cell as memory backup
Weight: 590 gram (21 ounces) including 2 standard AA and CR2032 batteries
Special features: None
Released: 1992
Originally retailed for:: around 1 million italian lira (about 500 USD)
Clone of: Tidalwave PS-1000
Similar models: Zeos Pocket PC, Highscreen Handy Organizer and all other clones

Pros:
- Fully CGA compliant, so most CGA based DOS appz and games work
- Excellent keyboard

Cons:
- No support for flash cards
- Not really the smallest Palmtop ever
- Power management is rather average
- No way to boot a different OS and no way to bypass loading the drivers for cards and keyboard

Collector Value:
10 of 10

Usage Value:
7 of 10

Verdict:
Give it a usability value of 10/10 if you don't care about CF cards. While arguably a lame branding work it definitely is rare. I have never seen one besides in that magazine and my guess is that even in Italy this machine will be hard to get. So as with all machines i have never or only once seen offered i give it a rarity value of full 10 points.

Back to the Palmtop PC index