Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!texbell!letni!mic!cms2!tomf
From: tomf@cms2.UUCP (Tom Fortner)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: brain-dead 286
Message-ID: <151@cms2.UUCP>
Date: 21 Mar 90 22:33:45 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Christian Medical & Dental Society
Lines: 38

Subject: <27842@cup.portal.com>In the following article you wrote...
>After reading some debate on this topic of the 286 vs. 386, I've come to
>wonder what is the advatange of the 486 today? I don't think we can expect
>much software to come out for the 486 specifically this year, so is there
>really an advantage to owning and using a 486? 
>If a 386 runs software made for the 286 (assuming they are at the same clock
>rate) at similar speeds, then I take it the 386/486 would follow the same
>pattern.
>So this is what I think is going on, Please correct me if I am wrong...
>A 25 MHz 486 can run software written for the 386 specifically, but a
>25 MHz 386 would run the same program at about the same speed, meaning a 486
>really doesn't (today) have any advantages unless you intend on writing
>software for it.
>
>Is this true? Or does the rule apply only to 286/386?
>Thanks.

There is the advantage of throughput. Graphics software consumes enormous 
amounts of processor power. We use Ventura Publisher on a 20MHz 286 and 
find lots of time to go for coffee while loading doc's. Determine whether
you need high processor speed for graphics, CAD, CAM, Windows,etc, and buy
to meet the need for 3 years down the road as much as you can, depreciating
the machine on your income tax over the three years. From this point of
view, I can find no good reason for encouraging anyone to buy less than
a 386SX unless $200 means having or not having a machine.

-- 
    Tom Fortner
    Christian Medical & Dental Society
    UUCP: cms2!tomf     
    INTERNET: tomf@cms2.lonestar.org