# Tadpole Computer

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Computer manufacturing company

Tadpole Computer Founded 1994; 32 years ago (1994) Defunct 2005 Fate Acquired by General Dynamics Headquarters Cupertino , United States Products Laptops, servers, workstations Website www.tadpolecomputer.com

**Tadpole Computer** was a manufacturer of rugged, military specification [UNIX](/source/Unix) [workstations](/source/Workstation), [thin client](/source/Thin_client) laptops, and lightweight servers.

## History

Tadpole was founded in 1994[1] and originally based in [Cambridge](/source/Cambridge), [England](/source/England), then for a time in [Cupertino, California](/source/Cupertino%2C_California).[2]

In 1998, Tadpole acquired RDI Computer Corporation of [Carlsbad, California](/source/Carlsbad%2C_California),[3] who produced the competing [Britelite and Powerlite](/source/RDI_PowerLite) portable SPARC-based systems, for $6 million.[4]

Tadpole was later acquired by defense contractor [General Dynamics](/source/General_Dynamics), in April 2005.[5]

Production continued until March 2013 but since then, they no longer sell any systems; and support for their products was provided by [Flextronics](/source/Flextronics). Flextronics discontinued Tadpole support around 2019. Vector Data, a Tadpole OEM, still provides legacy Tadpole systems and support.

An anonymous [US intelligence](/source/US_intelligence) officer had stated to [Reuters](/source/Reuters) in 2013 that a decade earlier the US secretly created a company [reselling](/source/Reseller) laptops from Tadpole Computer to [Asian](/source/Asia) governments. The reseller added secret software that allowed intelligence analysts to access the machines remotely.[6]

## Products

Tadpole laptops used a variety of architectures, such as [SPARC](/source/SPARC), [Alpha](/source/DEC_Alpha), [PowerPC](/source/PowerPC) and [x86](/source/X86).[1] Although very expensive, these classic Tadpoles won favour as a method to show corporation's proprietary software (IBM/HP/DEC) on a self-contained portable device on a client site in the days before remote connectivity.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### SPARC

SPARCbook 3 in [Computer History Museum](/source/Computer_History_Museum)

The original *SPARCbook 1*[7] was introduced in 1992 with 8–32 MB RAM and a 25 MHz processor.[8][9] It was followed by several further SPARCbooks, UltraSPARCbooks (branded as Ultrabooks) – and the Voyager IIi.[10][11] These all ran the [SunOS](/source/SunOS) or [Solaris](/source/Solaris_(operating_system)) operating systems.[12][13][14][15] In 2004, Tadpole released the Viper laptop.[16]

The SPARCLE was based on a 500-600 MHz [UltraSPARC IIe](/source/UltraSPARC_IIe#UltraSPARC_IIe) or 1 GHz [UltraSPARC IIIi](/source/UltraSPARC_III#UltraSPARC_IIIi).[17]

### DEC Alpha

Demo of the Tadpole ALPHAbook 1 at [VMworld](/source/VMworld) 2011

An [Alpha](/source/DEC_Alpha)-based laptop, the ALPHAbook 1, was announced on 4 December 1995 and became available in 1996. The Alphabook 1 was manufactured in Cambridge, England. It used an [Alpha 21066A](/source/Alpha_21064#Alpha_21066A) microprocessor specified for a maximum clock frequency of 233 MHz. The laptop used the [OpenVMS](/source/OpenVMS) operating system.[18][19]

### IBM PowerPC

See also: [IBM RS/6000 § Type 7007](/source/IBM_RS%2F6000#Type_7007)

A [PowerPC](/source/PowerPC)-based laptop was also produced – the IBM RISC System/6000 N40 Notebook Workstation, powered by a 50 MHz [PowerPC 601](/source/PowerPC_600) and with between 16 and 64MB RAM – and designed to run [IBM AIX](/source/IBM_AIX).[20][21]

### x86

Tadpole also produced a range of x86-based notebook computers, including the *Tadpole P1000*, and the TALIN laptops with [SUSE Linux](/source/SUSE_Linux), or optionally [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows).[22]

## See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Tadpole Computer Inc. computers](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tadpole_Computer_Inc._computers).

- [Military computers](/source/Military_computers)

- [RDI PowerLite](/source/RDI_PowerLite)

- [Toughbook](/source/Toughbook), [Panasonic](/source/Panasonic)'s rugged portable computers

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_1-1) ["Tadpole Eyes Athlon 64, Multiprocessor Sparc Notebooks - ExtremeTech"](https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/53674-tadpole-eyes-athlon-64-multiprocessor-sparc-notebooks). *www.extremetech.com*. 11 March 2003. Retrieved 2020-04-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Tadpole Launches Sleek UltraSPARC® Technology Powered Notebook"](http://hw.tadpole.com/dynamic/news/press/2002/62.html). 2003-02-18. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20030218021546/http://hw.tadpole.com/dynamic/news/press/2002/62.html) from the original on 2003-02-18. Retrieved 2020-04-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Tadpole Technology: Industry news"](https://eloydegen.com/TadQuotes.pdf) (PDF). 2020-04-20. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200420104702/https://eloydegen.com/TadQuotes.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 2020-04-20. Retrieved 2020-04-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Tadpole Technology purchases major competitor RDI Computer Corporation - SunWorld - August 1998"](http://sunsite.uakom.sk/sunworldonline/swol-08-1998/swol-08-tadpole.html). *sunsite.uakom.sk*. Retrieved 2020-04-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_5-0)** ["Form 10-K, General Dynamics Corporation"](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/40533/000119312506044567/d10k.htm). *www.sec.gov*. Retrieved 2020-04-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Strong ties bind spy agencies and Silicon Valley"](https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-security-silicon-valley-idINDEE9620GH20130704). *Reuters*. 2013-07-04. Retrieved 2020-04-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Chronology of Workstation Computers (1991-1992)](http://www.islandnet.com/~KPOLSSON/workstat/work1991.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20050402100803/http://www.islandnet.com/~KPOLSSON/workstat/work1991.htm) April 2, 2005, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Sub-$6,000 Sparc Notebook Announced](https://books.google.com/books?id=YlAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=SPARCbook1&pg=PA32), By Martin Marshall, InfoWorld, 27 May 1991, Page 32

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Advert: Meet the Notebook that Breaks the Mold: SPARCbook 1: Tadpole](https://books.google.com/books?id=6fxsaF0QuVEC&dq=SPARCbook1&pg=PA37), Computerworld, 23 Mar 1992, Page 37

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Tadpole release Sparc notebooks](https://books.google.com/books?id=BzsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22SPARCbook%22&pg=PA33), By Yvonne L. Lee, InfoWorld, 21 Feb 1994, Page 33, *...The $10,950 SparcBook 3....The $7,500 SparcBook 3LC...*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [SPARC notebook manufacturer promises desktop performance](https://books.google.com/books?id=CENB4wa_QxUC&dq=sparc+tadpole&pg=PA41), by Michael Fitzgerald, Computerworld, 28 Feb 1994, Page 41, *...Tadpole Technology Inc. in Austin, Texas, announced its third SPARC notebook....The $10,950 SPARCbook 3 uses Texas insstruments, Inc.'s 50-MHz MicroSPARC processor...*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Tadpole SPARCbook 3"](http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/32324/Tadpole-SPARCbook-3/), computinghistory.org.uk

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [SPARCbook 3000ST - The coolest 90s laptop](https://blog.adafruit.com/2019/04/01/sparcbook-3000st-the-coolest-90s-laptop-sparc-vintagecomputing-retrocomputing-eckmeister/), March 14, 2019, adafruit.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Table 11-1: Identifying Different SPARC CPUs](https://books.google.com/books?id=0S8guIHHaiIC&dq=sparc+tadpole&pg=PA256), Page 256, Sun Performance and Tuning: Java and the Internet, By Adrian Cockcroft, Richard Pettit, Sun Microsystems, *...System(Kernel Architecture): Tadpole SPARCbook 1 (sun4m) / CPU Mhz: 25 / CPU Type: Cypress 601...System(Kernel Architecture): Tadpole SPARCbook 2 (sun4m) / CPU Mhz: 40 / CPU Type: Fujitsu MB86903...System(Kernel Architecture): Tadpole SPARCbook 3 (sun4m) / CPU Mhz: 85-110 / CPU Type: microSPARC II...*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Sparc-based notebook ready to debut: Tadpole system uses Cypress processor, runs Solaris operating system](https://books.google.com/books?id=R1EEAAAAMBAJ&dq=sparc+tadpole&pg=PA23), By Cate Corcoran, InfoWorld Dec 28, 1992 - Jan 4, 1993, Page 23

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Tadpole leaps to Sparc portable workstation"](https://www.cnet.com/news/tadpole-leaps-to-sparc-portable-workstation/). *CNET*. Retrieved 2020-04-23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Tadpole"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040604192806/http://www.tadpolecomputer.com/html/products/mobile/sparcle/specifications.html). 2004-06-04. Archived from [the original](http://www.tadpolecomputer.com/html/products/mobile/sparcle/specifications.html) on 2004-06-04. Retrieved 2020-04-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Tadpole Technology announces the ALPHAbook 1, the world's most powerful notebook computer"](http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tadpole+Technology+announces+the+ALPHAbook+1,+the+world's+most...-a017809952). Business Wire. December 3, 1995. Retrieved September 2, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [HP OpenVMS Systems Documentation](http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/732final/6668/6668pro_012.html) Retrieved September 15, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["IBM RISC System/6000 N40 Notebook Workstation"](http://ps-2.kev009.com/ohlandl/7007/194-062.txt), March 8, 1994, Announcement Number: 194-062

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["RS/6000 Notebook 860"](https://tecnopolis.ca/aixtp/Brochure/4249-860.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** [Tadpole boosts power in Pentium-, Sparc-based notebooks](https://books.google.com/books?id=3joEAAAAMBAJ&dq=sparc+tadpole&pg=PA45), By Yvonne L. Lee, InfoWorld, 24 Jul 1995, Page 45, *...The two new notebooks, shipping now, include the SparcBook 3GX...and the Tadpole P1300, the first 133-MHz Pentium-based notebook...A Pentium notebook with 8MB of RAM and a 340MB hard disk cost $6,995...*

## External links

- [www.tadpolecomputer.com](https://web.archive.org/web/20040826021828/http://www.tadpolecomputer.com/html/) on the [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive_Wayback_Machine)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tadpole Computer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpole_Computer) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadpole_Computer?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.