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From: bill@mwca.UUCP (Bill Sheppard)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st,comp.sys.atari.8bit
Subject: Re: Thinking of Buying an ST.
Message-ID: <1713@mwca.UUCP>
Date: 4 Oct 90 17:55:35 GMT
References: <1990Oct2.231819.16122@contact.uucp>
Distribution: na
Organization: Microware Systems Corp., Santa Clara, CA
Lines: 42

In article <1990Oct2.231819.16122@contact.uucp> rrwood@contact.uucp (roy wood) writes:
>
>I'm thinking of buying a new machine, and I've come up with the following
>thoughts:
> ...
>...  My only question is, just how happy would I be with the ST setup?  
>...
>Roy Wood.

It sounds like an ST might be perfect for your needs - I'd highly recommend
mono monitor if Mac emulation is at all important, though you might wish to
get a multisync if color AT emulation is equally important.

Mac emulation is nearly perfect, though (currently) at the speed of a Mac SE
(not SE/30). Disk I/O will be substantially faster, however.

Using SuperCharger you will have decent AT emulation, with the added benefit
of true multitasking PC and ST processes (each has its own memory).

I'd recommend a largish hard drive since you'll have three OS files residing
on the disk - 80 Meg might be enough (of course, this depends entirely on
your needs). Many places sell roll-your-own hard drives, or you can choose
from a wide variety of configurations. Look for an ICD or BMS host controller.

A 1040STE might be a good choice - easily RAM upgradeable with SIMMS, shouldn't
cost more than $699 + monitor + hard drive.

Total sample cost:

  1040STE: $700
  Mono monitor: $150
  80 Meg HD: $700
  Spectre GCR+ROMS: $400
  SuperCharger (PC emulator): $450

About $2400 for a complete ST/PC/Mac, add $300 to replace the mono with a
multisync (PanaSync 1024x768 .28 dot pitch is $429 around here).
-- 
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#  Bill Sheppard  --  bills@microware.com  --  {uunet,sun}!mcrware!mwca!bill   #
#  Microware Systems Corporation  ---  OS-9: Seven generations beyond __/_!!   #
#######Opinions expressed are my own, though you'd be wise to adopt them!#######