{"id":21734,"date":"2025-07-15T14:24:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T18:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/?page_id=21734"},"modified":"2026-06-19T15:33:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T19:33:01","slug":"vin92","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\/vin92\/","title":{"rendered":"Grid GridCase 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n            <div class=\"cu-textmedia flex flex-col lg:flex-row mx-auto gap-6 md:gap-10 my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 max-w-5xl\">\n        <div class=\"justify-start cu-textmedia-content cu-prose-first-last\" style=\"flex: 0 0 100%;\">\n            <header class=\"font-light prose-xl cu-pageheader md:prose-2xl cu-component-updated cu-prose-first-last\">\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold !mt-2 mb-4 md:mb-6 relative after:absolute after:h-px after:bottom-0 after:bg-cu-red after:left-px text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] pb-5 after:w-10 text-cu-black-700 not-prose\">\n                        Grid GridCase 2\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                                \n                            <\/header>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"grid-gridcase-2\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grid GRiDCASE 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>[Vin92]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"GridCase 2\" class=\"wp-image-21740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-2048x1538.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/PXL_20250715_180034783-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Grid GridCase 2 was an early, rugged portable computer released in 1985 as the successor to the pioneering GRiD Compass, which introduced the &#8220;clamshell&#8221; laptop design. Its most notable features included a robust 8086 processor, up to 640 KB of RAM, a 9.5-inch LCD display with CGA graphics, and a design engineered for durability and field use, traits that made it valuable for professionals in demanding environments such as engineering, defense and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong>: Grid Systems Corporation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Laptop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Model<\/strong>: GRiDCASE 2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release Date<\/strong>: 1986<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost at release<\/strong>: ~$15,000 (adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MIPS<\/strong>: 0.33 (330 KIPS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"hardware-specifications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW36078203 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW36078203 BCX0\">Hardware Specifications<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CPU<\/strong>: Intel 8086 at 4.77 MHz<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RAM<\/strong>: 128 KB standard (expandable to 640 KB)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Display<\/strong>: 9.5-inch LCD, 640 x 200 pixel resolution, yellow monochrome (no backlight), CGA compatible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Storage<\/strong>: 3.5-inch floppy disk drive (720 KB capacity). Optional 10 MB hard disk drive in place of floppy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ROM<\/strong>: Supports up to 1024 KB (8 DIP sockets for EPROMs\/MASK ROMs, 128 KB each)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Video Output<\/strong>: RGB video port for external monitors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ports<\/strong>: 1 x DB25 serial, 1 x parallel, DIN5 keyboard, RGB video, Ext. floppy, 50-pin expansion bus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Battery<\/strong>: 16V NiCad rechargeable (field-swappable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keyboard<\/strong>: 57 keys integral keyboard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Case<\/strong>: Rugged, portable &#8220;clamshell&#8221; design<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weight<\/strong>: 5.4 kg (12 lbs)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"operating-system-programming-languages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW136206418 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW136206418 BCX0\">Operating System &amp; Programming Languages<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW136206418 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Operating System<\/strong>: MS-DOS 2.11, which was stored in ROM and served as the main interface for users<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><strong>Supported Languages: <\/strong><\/strong>The GridCase 2 could run a variety of programming languages compatible with the IBM PC and MS-DOS environment.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>GW-BASIC: A key language provided via ROM chips or on disk, allowing for easy BASIC programming directly on the device.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Microsoft BASIC: Variants such as BASICA or GW-BASIC were standard on MS-DOS computers of this era and readily usable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other DOS-Compatible Languages: Any language that could run on MS-DOS 2.11 could, in principle, be used\u2014including:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pascal (Turbo Pascal)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FORTRAN<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C (Microsoft C, Turbo C)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assembler (MASM, TASM)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>COBOL, dBASE, and other language\/interpreter tools released for early DOS platforms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Application ROMs: The design allowed certain productivity or language tools to be embedded in ROM chips for instant access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"notables\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Notables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Often called &#8220;GRiDCASE&#8221; (stylized with a lowercase &#8216;i&#8217;), the line has also been referred to as &#8220;Portable Sagem&#8221; in France.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Among the earliest semi-rugged portable computers, designed as the successor to the legendary GRiD Compass, the <strong>first clamshell laptop<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Featured one of the first improved LCDs in a rugged portable system, readable by more than one person at a time (unusual for the era).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Could run software and apps directly from ROM chips installed in user-accessible sockets, a rarity among laptops then.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Built with a robust magnesium case, making it highly durable for fieldwork, ideal for demanding professional environments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A unique design feature: interchangeable power modules allowed for field-swappable battery or AC transformer packs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its keyboard used the same layout as the IBM PCjr, noted for its tactile feedback, but not widely liked by all users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each battery pack provided 4\u20135 hours of runtime, significant for a mid-1980s portable machine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Part of GRiD\u2019s legacy as the first company to bring the \u201cclamshell\u201d laptop format to the mass market<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The original GRiD Compass was the first laptop flown in space, beginning with the Space Shuttle missions in the early 1980s. NASA used the Compass for in-flight navigation, tracking, and mission-critical calculations, and astronauts relied on its robust and portable &#8220;clamshell&#8221; design.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Donated by<\/strong>: Dr. Arlen Michaels<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace-400x266.jpg\" alt=\"Astronaut John Creighton posing with a Grid Compass aboard Space Shuttle Discovery mission in 1985\" class=\"wp-image-21739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace-400x266.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace-160x107.jpg 160w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/260\/GRiDCompassInSpace.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Astronaut John Creighton posing with a Grid Compass aboard a Space Shuttle Discovery mission in 1985<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/vintage-computing\/item\">Vintage Computing Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Grid GRiDCASE 2 [Vin92] The Grid GridCase 2 was an early, rugged portable computer released in 1985 as the successor to the pioneering GRiD Compass, which introduced the &#8220;clamshell&#8221; laptop design. Its most notable features included a robust 8086 processor, up to 640 KB of RAM, a 9.5-inch LCD display with CGA graphics, and a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":19704,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[126,90,123],"class_list":["post-21734","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-laptop","cu_page_type-vintage-computing","cu_page_type-vintage-inventory"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21734"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24968,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21734\/revisions\/24968"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=21734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}