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From: jkearney@cbnewsm.att.com (joseph.w.kearney)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: (Leading Edge vs. Compaq) 386sx questions
Message-ID: <1990Dec28.174305.18719@cbnewsm.att.com>
Date: 28 Dec 90 17:43:05 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 41


Hello Netland;

I've got a question for all of you out there. I'm looking at a buying
a couple of 386sx systems. I'm considering two brand names and I'd like
your opinions on these two systems. Below are the specifics I've
collected:

Leading Edge D3/SX		Compaq 386sx
------------------		------------
386sx CPU at 16 MHz.		386sx CPU at 16 MHz.
200 Watts 			140 Watts
0 wait state			0 wait state
1 M on-board RAM		2 M on-board RAM
50 M Hard disk			40 M hard disk
(2) floppies 1.2 & 1.44		(1) floppy - my choice
Panasonic 1024x768 SVGA		color VGA monitor
DOS 3.3				need to buy operating system
Phoenix BIOS (?)		Phoenix BIOS (?)
(4) 16 bit & (2) 8 bit slots	(4) 16 bit slots
20 month carry-in warranty	12 month carry-in warranty
shipping will be free		will pick-up so no shipping
$1650.00 + no-tax		($2564 + 7% tax)-($2564 x 0.34)= $1871.72

I've heard that Leading Edge's "D" model has a problem with its BIOS;
although I have no idea what the problem is, I have heard of a PD
patch to it. What is the problem with the L.E. BIOS & how extensive is the
problem? If both machines use the same BIOS wouldn't the same problem
crop up in the Compaq?

My personal biases were leaning heavily toward the Leading Edge until
a 34% discount on the Compaq was made available & now throw in the
issue of a BIOS bug and I'm back up in the air. If Leading Edge will
send out new ROM's to fix the BIOS bug properly, then that becomes mute
and I can base my decision cost, performance & reputation - not necesarily
in that order.

So tell me, which machine would you buy and why ?

						Joe Kearney
						att!mhuhk!jwk