| NEC VERSA V-SERIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The NEC Versa V was a small line of notebook computers introduced as a part of the first generation NEC Versa Product line around mid 1994. The "V" is likely referring to "Value" since these laptops are like a stripped-downw Versa E, removing the detachable screen feature, offering fewer screen options, and the motherboard and supporting hardware featuring a simpler, and more spartan design inside.
The NEC Versa V was likely aimed at high level students and less-as-well-heeled professionals who needed a laptop computer with a rock-solid reliable reputation, but with the classic "NEC Quality". It seems the Versa V was the second most popular laptop to the Versa E series, and seems to be one of the very few that were actually purchased as a personal system more often than an Enterprise lease situation (which was the common situation with the Versa E models as I've seen examples from Ford Motor Company (mine), Caterpillar, and a few major bank institutions). Model#s were as follows...
PERFORMANCE, SPECS, COMMON INFORMATION FROM IT'S DAY The NEC Versa V-series was released sometime in late 1994 to little fanfare and little advertising. It seems the "V" stood for "V(alue)" - as in a inexpensive model with a non-removable screen intended for use as a regular, basic, 486 laptop computer. As such, it's hard to find a lot of information on the Versa "V", and given it's close specifications to the Versa "E" series models from earlier that same year, people often get the two laptops confused, and I've been in a few online arguements as to what the Versa V and E models actually were. So a lot of people argue that the Versa "V" came in detachable and non detachable versions - which seems screwy to me - because the online manuals for the Versa "V" don't match the online manuals for the versa "E" - the latter of which clearly shows a laptop with a detachable screen. It seems this was the V's story. The Versa V was released in late 1994 to make a cheaper version of the Versa. It never got put into an Infoworld or PC Mag benchmarking test, rather, was kind of glossed over by the industry as a whole, and ignored in favor of the newer Versa M and Versa P models which were higher end workstations aimed at the professional. The Versa V came in at least two different models, with 2 different versions. The Versa V/50 is the most common model and the Versa V/75 was a later model intended to keep up with the newer systems being offered that were 486 DX4 or Pentium based. Both versions came in a DSTN "D" color model, as well as a "C" model with an Active Matrix TFT Screen. They sold for considerably less than the other Versa models - about $1000 less.MODERN PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY, AND DURABILITY The Versa V seems to be the most reliable and hardiest model of the lot. Not too surprising, they have simpler circuitry than even the Versa E it shares specs with. Even after a serious spill with broken plastic and lost parts it still runs, and evne hardware malfunctions prove the circuitry for the power circuit is a lot toughter than that found on a comparable Versa 75E or 50E model. Even the CPU boards are compatible (but not the status displays surpsisingly). COMMON ISSUES Outside of the usual broken plastic stuff, which seems less prone on this model for some reason, there's not a heck of a whole lot with the VErsa V that goes wrong. My V50 got smashed last year and it still powers up, boots, and runs - surprising for a computer of this age. It's also survived a failing HDD trying to zap the HDD controller. Even with a jumpered fuse it still runs. Now that's pretty impressive for a 29 year old laptop. |
