Hewlett-Packard is in line to be the first with a Unix portable.

According to reports from the US, HP is planning to launch early in the new year a luggable micro weighing under 25lbs that will run the Unix operating system.

Currently codenamed the Pisces, it is said to cost $5,000 and will use the 68010 chip, 512K of RAM, a 120 column/24 line electroluminescent screen, a pair of 3.5" disk drives and a built-in ink-jet printer.

The machine has already been shown to market research firms and industry insiders who have commented favourably on it. According to those who have seen it, around 50 software packages will be available at launch.

If the final product matches the rumoured specification and price it will put HP in the lead to carve out a large market share as the kind of facilities on offer are normally only available on machines costing around twice the price.

Hewlett-Packard in the UK refused to comment on the existence of the micro on the grounds that it is not its policy to pre-announce products.