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--- blog:clevo_8500 [2025/03/14 12:12] – [First machine, 8500c] john
+++ blog:clevo_8500 [2025/03/14 14:07] (current) – [First machine, 8500c] john
@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 | LCD    | 13", 14", 15", Active/Passive, 1024x768  | 13", 14", 15", Active/Passive, 1024x768  | 15" Active 1024x768              | 15" Active 1024x768      | 15" Active, 1024x768 / 1400x1050  |
 | VGA    | C&T 65555 4MB                            | S3 Virge/MX 4MB                          | ATI Rage LT Pro 8MB              | ATI Rage LT Pro 8MB      | ATI Rage Mobility 128 16MB        |
-| Audio  | ESS Audiodrive 1879                      | ESS Audiodrive 1879                      | ESS Audiodrive 1879              | ESS Maestro 2            | ESS Allegro                       |
+| Audio  | ESS Audiodrive 1879                      | ESS Audiodrive 1879                      | ESS Audiodrive 1879              | ESS 1878S Maestro-2E     | ESS Allegro                       |
 //Note: System specs taken from// https://macdat.net/laptops/kapok/8000.html
+Of the possible models, the best ones for DOS gaming are the 8500, 8500M and 8500P (as they all have excellent ESS Audiodrive chips) - with the 8500P being the most powerful and having (arguably) the best support for multiple video modes via the 'ratiometric' screen scaling of the ATI Rage LT Pro chip; the C&T offers toggleable scaling, and the S3 Virge is noted as not having settings to change scaling modes (beyond BIOS on/off). The 8500C and 8500V, whilst having faster processors and better video (in the case of the 8500V), don't have anywhere near as compatible/quality sounding audio.
+Put simply; the 8500P is the best of the bunch if you want to run DOS games natively.
+==== Notice! ====
+__It seems that not all 8500p models are the same__. One of the first machines I sought out was indeed an 8500p, but on arrival it was equipped with the ESS 1878S Maestro-2E; a far inferior chip for DOS gaming purposes.
 ===== First machine, 8500c =====
@@ Line 37: / Line 44: @@
 Unfortunately, it's not as simple as finding a power supply with the correct voltage and amperage... the connector is an unusual 4-pin, square type, not a barrel jack, and it supplies both a power voltage, and a //different// voltage to charge the battery.
+===== Second machine, 8500p =====
+What I thought was the //perfect// model showed up:
+Alas, when I opened the case to investigate, I found this looking back at me:
+{{:blog:pentium:kapok8500:img20250314133426.jpg?600|}}
+That's an ESS 1878S Maestro-2E. One of the later ESS chips without any actual FM hardware, and a far inferior chip for anyone who wants to play DOS games. __Not__ what I was expecting.