Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!newstop!sundc!texsun!convex!ewright
From: ewright@convex.com (Edward V. Wright)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: The New Macs: Greedy Compromises?
Message-ID: <109503@convex.convex.com>
Date: 29 Nov 90 17:10:43 GMT
References: <1990Nov29.005944.17800@scrumpy@.bnr.ca> <_M{^JJ&@rpi.edu>
Sender: news@convex.com
Organization: Convex Computer Corporation; Richardson, TX
Lines: 26

In article <1990Nov29.005944.17800@scrumpy@.bnr.ca> 

> How much more would it have been to support eight bit color on the 13 
> inch monitor, rather that only on the 12 inch one?  10$? 20$?  And 
> that would have been compatible with the IIsi and the IIci...  

You *can* get 8-bit color on the 13-inch monitor; all you have to
do is install an additional VRAM SIMM, which I believe sells for
~$100.

> And why does it have a 16 bit wide RAM bus?  How much did that save?  
> Is there a good reason for not having the same slot as the IIsi?

Because the LC was designed to compete directly against the IBM PS2
Model 55SX, which has a 16-bit data bus and uses the 16/32-bit i80386SX.
Rumor had it, at one time, that the LC would use 16/32-bit version of
the 68030 (sort of a 030SX) called the 68025, but that chip apparently
failed to materialize, so Apple used the 68020, which is available, instead.
Perhaps something like the 68025 might be used on a future version of
the LC.

> Finally, the IIsi.  Why does it have a 20MHz 68030, and not a 25MHz one?

Probably because the cost of designing and manufacturing a circuit board
goes up so quickly as you increase the clock speed.  Besides, it replaces
a 16-Mhz machine.