Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uflorida!novavax!dons3b1!don
From: don@dons3b1.UUCP (Don Joslyn)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2
Subject: OS/2 with VGA, video bandwidth question
Keywords: OS/2 VGA 8514 video GUI Windows
Message-ID: <26@dons3b1.UUCP>
Date: 28 Nov 89 00:27:42 GMT
Organization: Private System, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Lines: 57


I have the following observations and questions regarding VGA video resolution
having enough bandwidth to support a complex desktop environment including
a GUI (with desktop accessories and icons), and multiple applications.


OBSERVATIONS:

* "UNIX" Workstation environment with 1Kx1K video resolution (or equivalent):

On my "Unix" workstation running my favorite GUI, I can easily display on my
screen:  one full page of a document using a WYSIWYG document publisher,
one or two open terminal sessions, maybe one additional small application,
several icons representing "closed" applications, plus the console window.

* PC DOS environment with VGA adaptor:

The current DOS environment with a GUI/Desktop does not appear to have enough
resolution to display more than one application at a time.  Further more,
most WYSIWYG word processors that I've seen on DOS are not able to
display a full page of my document.  Anyone that has run applications under
MS-Windows knowns what I'm talking about. (I hope :-)


ASSUMPTIONS:

1. OS/2 with Presentation Manager (as a GUI), multi-tasking and multi-windows,
promises to provide a desktop environment such as the Macintosh and "Unix"
workstation systems, etc.

2. A VGA video adaptor will not provide sufficient bandwidth to accomplish this.


QUESTIONS:

Am I wrong?  Does the VGA video adaptor provide enough bandwidth?

If I use an 8514 video adaptor (or equivalent), will OS/2 and OS/2 based
applications take advantage of the bandwidth and provide me with an equivalent
environment typical of a Macintosh or "Unix" workstation?

Specifically, what have you observed?

I also have the same question regarding DOS applications.  What DOS
applications take advantage of the resolution offered by the 8514?

Are there DOS applications around the horizon that will take advantage of the
8514?

Are there choices other than the 8514 that work well?

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Thanks for your patience and thanks in advance for your help,

Don Joslyn
Cooper City, Florida
UUCP:  ...{gatech!uflorida,ucf-cs}!novavax!dons3b1!don