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From: jdudeck@polyslo.CalPoly.EDU (John R. Dudeck)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware,comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Opinion on Amstrad Computers please!
Message-ID: <26911201.5a8f@petunia.CalPoly.EDU>
Date: 3 Jul 90 21:45:37 GMT
References: <23723@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> <3809@galena2.UUCP>
Organization: Cal Poly State Univ,CSC Dept,San Luis Obispo,CA 93407
Lines: 33



>ss2@beach.cis.ufl.edu (SKS) writes:
>>       I am thinking of purchasing an Amstrad 386 20MHZ computer  with
>>multilevel cache built in for $1999 (VGA card and hires monitor and 
>>other goodies) from a local vendor.  If there are anybody in the netland
>>who has this machine or who knows something about Amstrad computers, I
>>would like to hear from them.

I have used a few Amstrads, and have developed my own opinion of them.
In Europe & the U.K. they provide the most performance for the money, but
that is because all the other clones are outrageously expensive, compared
to what we are used to at US and Asian prices.  The Amstrads cost more in
Europe than a comparable clone in the US.

In general the Amstrads are not completely compatible with "standard"
PC clones, because there were design tradeoffs made to cut manufacturing
costs.  However, my impression is that any incompatibilities are in the
areas that are very obscure and not used by 99+ percent of all software.  

Most of the corner-cutting seems to be in the mechanical aspects, such
as the cabinet, power supply, keyboard, and by putting everything on
one circuit board.  Hardware-wise, there may be some incompatibilities,
and I would not be surprised if anything turned out to not work with it.

My recommendation: If you find a bargain-basement price on an Amstrad,
if you don't require mechanical robustness, and if you are willing to take
a chance on hardware compatibility, then go ahead.

-- 
John Dudeck                                 "I always ask them, How well do
jdudeck@Polyslo.CalPoly.Edu                            you want it tested?"
ESL: 62013975 Tel: 805-545-9549                               -- D. Stearns