Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!arc!steve From: steve@arc.UUCP (Steve Savitzky) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: Re: Can I run IBM PC software on Mac II? Summary: Use a clone instead Message-ID: <391@arc.UUCP> Date: 20 Jun 89 22:42:27 GMT References: <137@zip.eecs.umich.edu> Reply-To: steve@arc.UUCP (Steve Savitzky) Organization: Advansoft Research Corp, Santa Clara, CA Lines: 32 In article <137@zip.eecs.umich.edu> ksuzuki@dip.eecs.umich.edu (Katsu Suzuki) writes: >I heard from my friend that it is possible to run IBM PC program on Mac II with >some kind of special hardware. My question is > >1. What kind of hardware and software do I need to do this? I know of two ways of running PC software on a Mac: there is at least one plug-in board that emulates an AT, and there is a pure software emulator. In both cases you need to get a 5.25inch disk drive; in the case of the software you will need an interface board for it (I think the hardware emulator has a disk interface on the board). The hardware emulator costs about $1K; the software one about $500. For the same $500 you can buy a PC clone, complete with monitor, keyboard, and disk drives. For another $500 or so you can put both systems on the TOPS network so they can share files, or you can ship files through the serial ports with Kermit or any other file-transfer program. The result will be faster than the software emulator, cheaper than the plug-in hardware, and guaranteed PC-compatible for all software. In addition it doesn't tie up your Mac. A possibly even better idea is to get a Toshiba T1000 laptop -- 6.4 lbs, PC compatible, about $650. The disadvantage is that not all PC software is available on 3.5inch disks; the advantage is that it's portable. Another advantage is that if you have a IIx rather than a II it can read and write the Toshiba's disks. -- Steve Savitzky | apple.com!arc!steve ADVANsoft Research Corp. | (408)727-3357 4301 Great America Parkway | #include Santa Clara, CA 95054 | May the Source be with you!