Try These For Fun On The Run
Sydney Morning Herald
Sunday July 25, 1993
FOR the past three weeks I've been exploring the back blocks of Victoria. Hardly exotic, I know. The editor of these pages files stories from his laptop computer in posh Bangkok hotels - and I'm here with my family in an outer Melbourne caravan park. Not that I'm complaining, we're having a great time and I've finally discovered the joys of portable computing.
My new Microspot 386/25 Notebook PC is performing nicely. A slim, elegant machine with a mono screen, it's the cheapest 386 laptop money can buy, but with four megabytes of random access memory and a 60 megabyte hard disk, fine for running Windows on-the-go.
There is plenty of fun on the run to be had with a laptop like this provided you are careful about the games you choose. Unless you've invested in a colour portable, you'll be looking for games that are clear and playable on a mono screen. So choose games with high contrast graphics.
A realistic soundtrack adds to the feel of a game but you'll be pretty limited on a portable PC. My inbuilt beeper is feeble at best. If you want real sound, try the Disney Sound Source. It produces quality music and speech but unfortunately, is not compatible with the industry standard Sound Blaster
It's a fair bet you won't want to lug around a joystick so games for playing on the go should have clear and simple keyboard, mouse or trackball controls.
OK, so what are my recommendations for gaming on the go? The first is right under your nose. Look in the Windows games directory and you'll find Solitaire- the time-honoured card game of Patience. Windows Solitaire has been a sleeper - gradually, more people are getting hooked. And no wonder. It's almost perfect for playing on the move.
If you're looking for something a little more sophisticated, I've just been playing Prince of Persia 2, sequel to Jordan Mechner's epic original. Contact Dataflow on 02 310 2020 for details of this ideal travelling companion.
© 1993 Sydney Morning Herald
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