Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!bcm!rice!hsdndev!think.com!samsung!usc!apple!HyperMail.apple.com!jeffh
From: jeffh@HyperMail.apple.com (Jeff Holcomb)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: AE PC Transporter
Message-ID: <11900@goofy.Apple.COM>
Date: 29 Jan 91 22:28:07 GMT
References: <252u3744.665122359@fergvax>
Sender: usenet@Apple.COM
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.
Lines: 61

In article <252u3744.665122359@fergvax> 252u3744@fergvax.unl.edu (CS 252u 
section 2) writes:
> First, the only mention of graphics is "better quality graphics ...
> sharper picture."  One would expect that this would be impressive.
> Well, it's not.  They don't bother to tell you that you will have better
> and sharper CGA graphics.  Even IBM idiots don't mess around with CGA.
> It's pointless for serious users.  Why didn't they add or offer an
> upgrade to EGA or VGA.  You can't tell me that that would be harder than
> making a GS into an IBM.  Especially since the boards are already made
> for th IBM.  All you would have to do is adjust them.  Unfortunately
> this is currently over my level of ability.

Back when the PCT was being developed (1986-87), CGA video was the 
standard in the IBM world...At that time, EGA cards were expensive and 
large.  Why doesn't AE offer an upgrade?  I think the main reason is 
because AE didn't design the product.  The PCT was designed by a company 
in Campbell, CA called The Engineering Department.  AE bought exclusive 
rights from TED to sell and service the PCT.

All of the video section is contained in one of those large custom chips 
on the PCT.  From what I understand, it would take a complete redesign of 
the whole board in order to add EGA or VGA.  I think AE could do it, but I 
don't think they're going to.  IMO, time would be better spent starting 
over, i.e. making a PCT II that had a 386 with tons of memory and VGA.  :-)

> Secondly, it is not ready for use out of the box, unless you like
> looking at the intro screen.  MS-DOS is not included, and you are not
> told this in their advertisements either.  You are left to pirate a copy
> from someone or spen a lot of money purchasing another operating system.

From what I've heard, most clones don't come with MS-DOS either.  The 
licensing fees are expensive, and I think it would have added $100+ to the 
price of the PCT.  I've seen MS-DOS available for about $85 mail order, 
btw.

> In conclusion, I would just like to say that AE doesn't lie (much) in
> their ad.  Instead they conviently hide the truth under nice happy
> thoughts.  They should feel some responsibility for their ads though.
> When I received my product - they thoughtfully provided me with a
> complete catalog WITH tech notes.  Thanks for nothin' guys - it's a
> little late.

AE would have sent you a catalog before you purchased the card, if you had 
called them.  In the past, the sales people at AE all knew about the 
limitations of the PCT and they would have told you.  Things may have 
changed, its been about a year since I worked at AE.  Or info was readily 
available online, lots of users have PCTs.

The above comments are my own and not those of my current or past
employers.



___________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Holcomb                 Internet: jeffh@HyperMail.apple.com
                            AppleLink: jeffh@HyperMail.apple.com@INTERNET#
                                GEnie: A2.JEFFH
Contracting for Apple ATG       Voice: (408) 974-0841

         My opinions are not necessarily those of Apple.  :-P
___________________________________________________________________________