Incorporating new design concepts, innovative hardware, and easy-to-use software, portable computers are proof that you can take it with you. This month's theme articles and reviews explore the issues that affect the portable marketplace, the advances in technology, and some of the latest models.

You're sure you want one, but which one? With at least 50 models to choose from, deciding on a portable is no easy matter. This article and the accompanying computer comparison table will help you make an informed choice.

The more intelligent the modem, the more it can disappear into the background of your computer system and provide unattended communications capability

Hewlett-Packard's adaptation of Visicorp's popular electronic-spreadsheet program for its HP-75 portable computer doesn't sacrifice the program's compatibility with other Visicalc products.

The machine's designer details the evolution of this completely self-contained system with integrated software.

An overview of how complementary metal-oxide semiconductor memory chips are manufactured and a look at three of them - Intel's 80C51, National Semiconductor's NSC800, and CMOS dynamic RAM.

How one hard-disk-drive manufacturer worked around the problems of designing a removable hard disk.

This powerful portable with its built-in, well-integrated software is just what the author ordered.

From the beginning, size has been a bone of contention among microfloppy-disk manufacturers. In today's marketplace, the 3½-inch disk has emerged as the de facto standard.

Hewlett-Packard's entry into the mid-priced portable computer fray offers powerful real-time scheduling capabilities

This portable comes with a host of software and practically all the hardware you'll ever need.

The HX-20 offers an integrated microcassette and printer. So far, the CC-40 doesn't fulfill its potential; it lacks peripherals and software.

Because it does not include a monitor, this low-cost Z80 computer makes lightweight portability possible.

A complete system that offers dependable hardware and extensive software, the Kaypro II is a practical solution for many applications.

This reasonably priced system with its eye-catching display offers stiff competition to other IBM PC-compatible machines.

A 64K-bit dynamic RAM chip is the visual sensor in this digital image camera.

Coleco's Adam dominated the summer CES in Chicago, but that wasn't all the exhibition offered. Our West Coast Bureau Chief surveyed the scene.

Our prescient user forecasts the trends that will influence the microcomputer industry over the next five years.

This year's competition turned up five outstanding diversions: a tank-versus-tank battle, an arcade-style chase that takes place on a moving·barbecue grill, a simulated juggling game, a maze-and-dots game, and a survival strategy challenge.

At the Japan Microcomputer Show '83 in Tokyo, notebook-size and hand-held computers were the center of attraction.

Make Unix more useful from both a user-interface and an applications perspective.

Some programmers have superstar status. while others crank out code for a weekly paycheck. What's an enterprising programmer to do? .

In this second and finat part, the author explains how code can be packaged into a general-purpose function and employed in solving more than one problem.

Jerry turns his eye to eclectic subjects.

The 8087 Numeric Data Processor can speed up most Pascal programs by a factor of three.

This interactive system lets you link programs in countless combinations to create larger, more complex programs.

A simple data file management system will help you organize your files with minimal maintenance.

Once you understand layered protocols, you can evaluate network architectures of data-communications products.

How to get around the compatibility problems that arise from using the popular word-processing program with your IBM Pc.

Adding a simple circuit converts your Apple into a host for testing a target system's hardware and software.

By using a compact set of routines called a multitask kernel, you can handle several tasks concurrently.

A scheduling algorithm can help you determine the best sequence for processing a set of disparate tasks.