Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!helios.physics.utoronto.ca!ists!yunexus!pmcd
From: pmcd@yunexus.yorku.ca (Phil McDunnough)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: New IBM Threat
Message-ID: <13070@yunexus.YorkU.CA>
Date: 25 Jul 90 08:58:09 GMT
References: <0aeR7uK00VQp084=UH@andrew.cmu.edu> <26AD3B56.18704@ics.uci.edu>
Sender: news@yunexus.YorkU.CA
Organization: York University, Toronto, Ont.
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In article <26AD3B56.18704@ics.uci.edu> bmarlowe@bonnie.ics.uci.edu (Brett Marlowe) writes:
>	From what I've heard the machine has some serious deficiencies:
>
>	There are three expansion slots all of which are already used
>        by a disk controller, the modem, and something else (it
>        escapes me).

There is a slot for a sound/midi board(4 voice sound).
>
>	The machine has 512K of RAM for which there is no immediate
>        method for expansion.

Not true. Memory expansion is available via a type of "credit card". IBM
currently only has the .5 meg type, but larger capacity cards will be
available(they already are for laptops).
>
>	The biggest gotcha though is the power supply for the computer
>	is built into the *monitor*

Actually this makes for very quiet operation. No fan needed.
>
>	The big question is why buy a computer that locks you in to
>IBM hardware when for less than $1000 you can buy a full blown AT
>clone?

Because the computer won't cost $2000 on the street or in schools and
IBM will provide at home service. Not everyone is a hacker, and willing
to trust the $1000(not colour) clone which could end up costing you
more than $1000 in wasted time due to hassles. A more serious threat is
the Tandy 2500XL and its 386sx version. These also have sound, larger
drives,VGA, and a very nice small footprint. DOS is in ROM, and they
currently supply Deskmate in ROM, but you can imagine what that will be
replaced by.
>
>	With IBMs past record in the home market I'm not worried yet,
>but that is no excuse for you guys at Apple to shelve any upgrades for
>the IIGS :-)

I agree with you about the upgrade issue. But I would be very worried
about the IBM move. This is only the beginning for them.

We need a ROM04, HyperCard and a low price.

Philip McDunnough
University of Toronto
philip@utstat.toronto.edu[down for 2 days]
[my opinions of course]