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From: ccmk@lure.latrobe.edu.au
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: Re: OS/2 benefits.
Message-ID: <1991May8.174846.1@lure.latrobe.edu.au>
Date: 8 May 91 07:48:46 GMT
References: <13565.28258a0e@ecs.umass.edu>
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Organization: VAX Cluster, Computer Centre, La Trobe University
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In article <13565.28258a0e@ecs.umass.edu>, duggan@ecs.umass.edu writes:
> ...I was wondering about the expected longevity of the OS/2 operating
> system

I expect OS/2 2.x will last 2-3 years after release then OS/2 3.x will
be the new kid on the block.  Apparently version 3 will be compatible,
so that shoudln't be too traumatic a change.

I think you might be looking at the end of the century before it
is totally transmogrified into something else.

> and if it is possible to place it on a IBM-CLONE. Would a Compaq work
> well under OS/2? Or is this operating system mainly PS/2 based?

Compaq uses the OEM version, which means it is about 6 months or more
behind IBM's latest version.  Microsoft has only just started shipping
OEM OS/2 1.3.  In any event many clones run IBM's OS/2.  This is possible
because IBM have to support the zillion IBM ATs out there, which almost
all 80286/80386 clones attempt to be compatible with.

> I am considering purchasing a machine, but must first consider the operating
> system. Also, is there any other system that can take advantage of the 
> 32-bit processors? Does IBM PS/2 fully take advantage of them? 

Unix is the other major 80386 player (the other group is probably the
"multi-DOS" crowd).  There are many Unix implementations.  Two that
specifically support the IBM PS/2 range are SCO OpenDesktop and IBM's
own AIX.  At education prices they are still expensive...

> How compatible/expensive are the peripherals for the PS/2? I attempted to
> buy a mouse for a system owned by a friend and was told that only the high
> priced mouses were available.

At education pricing (which I presume you can get) IBM's stuff isn't
too bad, and competes well with the well-known brands.  IBM still can't,
nor perhaps should they, compete with the lower-end clones.  Peripherals
such as disk drives can get expensive, but many 3rd party peripherals are
just as good or better than IBM's.  The Microsoft Mouse is a good example.

Mark Kosten