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From: dlow@pollux.HP.COM (Danny Low)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: EMS hardware vs. software emulation
Message-ID: <4690005@pollux.HP.COM>
Date: 11 Jan 91 16:32:53 GMT
References: <5182@bwdls58.UUCP>
Organization: HP Lovecraft Division
Lines: 26

>(Allen J Michielsen) 
>   Expecting or even asking mfg's to include EMS in hardware is stupid.  First
>of all, EMS is dead.  In several years little or nothing will support it.  

I see more programs supporting EMS than XMS. XMS restricts you to AT or above
systems. EMS allows a program to run on XT class machines as well. Programs
intended for Megacorporate suits (123) or number crunching academics 
(Mathematica) can ignore the huge install base of XTs but most software
companies cannot do that if they want to make decent sales. They can't 
afford to ignore the people who do not have big budgets or big grants.

Walk into a software retail store and typically you will NOT find Mathematica
or Bene Nota on the shelves. You will find 123 but also you will also find
Quattro Pro which is designed to run on small systems. Borland makes a big
deal about how Quattro Pro does not require a super expensive super large super
fast system to run. Quattro Pro has made significant in roads into the
123 market as a result.

The situation is even more tilted towards EMS when you consider that the
286 has very poor XMS capabilities and works better with EMS. As a result,
the "XT" market includes the 286 ATs as well.

			   Danny Low
    "Question Authority and the Authorities will question You"
	   Valley of Hearts Delight, Silicon Valley
	     HP CPCD   dlow@pollux.svale.hp.com