Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!wuarchive!udel!oscar.ccm.udel.edu!johnston From: johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.wanted Subject: RE: SoftPC, IBM PC XT or AT emulator for Mac, REVIEW Message-ID: <32722@nigel.ee.udel.edu> Date: 8 Oct 90 04:58:55 GMT Sender: usenet@ee.udel.edu Distribution: usa Organization: Univ. of Delaware, CCM Lines: 84 Nntp-Posting-Host: oscar.ccm.udel.edu I recently posted a request for info regarding SoftPC, a Mac software product from: Insignia Solutions, Inc. 254 Geronimo Way Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408)522-7600 I'll summarize responses, and add a few observations as I now am using the product to run an IBM PC terminal emulator on the Mac... What SoftPC does: *FULLY* emulate IBM PC/XT with the following features: 8088 processor; 256-640K ram; CGA graphics card; floppy disk drive (if you have SuperDrive in Mac, otherwise can use DaynaFile or Kennect) (the XT version does not emulate the 8087 math coprocessor) AT version features: 80286 processor; 640K ram + access to LIM 4.0 extended memory (up to 4meg); EGA or CGA option, supports 101-key AT extended keyboard, 80287 math co-processor support is available for Macs with 68881 or 68882. BOTH versions allow the Mac serial ports to be configured as COM1 and COM2, thus allowing telecommunications, etc. Printer support is handled well, but is slow by Mac standards. PC applications that can be configured for EPSON MX-80 printers can print on any printer supported by a Chooser-level driver. This includes the LaserWriter; but what is sent is the same info that would be sent to an MX-80. Support is apparently available for PC printing to PostScript devices (as opposed to using the LaserWriter to output data which the PC application 'thinks' is being sent to an Epson). Two virtual hard disk drives can be set up on any Mac hard disk; to the Mac these are simply large files of fixed size (1 to 30 meg). The 30 meg limitation, I believe, is a DOS limitation. Operating System: MS-DOS version 3.3 is used for both XT and AT, along with GW-Basic. Purchase of SoftPC licenses the operating system software from Microsoft. Supposedly, it is also possible to run MS-Windows; this is likely to be slow, and a memory-hog. Weird though -- a Mac emulation running via a PC emulator on the Mac. DOS MANUALS ARE NOT PROVIDED, as many purchasers of SoftPC will have these as legacies of past sins. Mac System requirements: Mac II, IIx, IIcx, IIci, SE/30, or '030 accel. SE) XT version requires 2meg Mac to run in Finder; XT uses 1730K in Multifinder. AT version requires 3meg in Finder; and a minimum of 3000K in Multifinder. With larger Multifinder partitions, the AT can use up to 4meg of LIM memory. Evaluation: Taking into consideration my limited knowledge of DOS, and experience with PC applications, I am unable to write a really technical review of SoftPC's performance. However, I am IMPRESSED and AMAZED at the things it does. I have run Lotus 123 v.2, MS-Works v.1.0.5, WordPerfect v.5.0, as well as a whole slew of PD or shareware applications including games and terminal emulators. I even recompiled and ran old Turbo Pascal code I'd written (long ago) for the PC. I can't claim to have tested any of these applications thoroughly, but I found no flaws. EGA graphics emulation on the AT is tricky on a small screen Mac; double-clicking the window bar toggles between true EGA pixel mapping and pseudo-graphics rounded off to fit the Mac window. This doesn't affect large screen users. Color is also supported; I have no way to check this on my SE/30. Speed: the XT is faster than my PC clone, the AT is 1.5 to 2 times faster, depending on the extent to which the coprocessor is used for the given PC task. Terminal emulation with a modem appears to be limited to 1200 baud, practically speaking. The software supports up to 19.2kbaud; speeds > 1200baud should be possible in direct-connect applications. No special cabling is required for serial communications if the Mac is already connected. A special utility program "SlavePC" allows the Mac to access the floppy disk drives of a serially connected PC; this is slower than null modem transfers, but is available from within PC app's. How to Order: SoftPC is sold in two parts, XT and "EGA/AT option module". Mail-order prices for the XT range from $215 to $275; the EGA option goes for $120-$150. A bundled package is available at substantial savings. The vendow I used is "BottomLine Distribution" 1-900-420-3636, which offered the bundle for $299.95. Current version is 1.3. Disclaimer: I don't work for these guys or know them, but: Hat's off! The possibilities of this product are virtually endless. It's a real pity that the PC itself is not more exciting. For me, it was a real nostalgia trip, as well as a reminder of why I bought a Mac in the first place. Bill Johnston; 38 Chambers St.; Newark, DE 19711; (302)368-1949 (johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu)