Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!wuarchive!uunet!munnari.oz.au!metro!cs.uow.edu.au!jorgi
From: jorgi@cs.uow.edu.au (George B Zamroz)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: zip gs
Keywords: zip accelerator
Message-ID: <1991May7.060235.23865@cs.uow.edu.au>
Date: 7 May 91 06:02:35 GMT
References: <1991May5.175132.28235@sactoh0.sac.ca.us> <1991May6.000320.2467@utstat.uucp> <1991May6.212136.24453@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Organization: Dept of Computer Science, Wollongong University
Lines: 53

scotth@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Scott Henderson) writes:

>I thought I'd mention that I ordered one last week and now have my GS
>flying at 9 mhz.  The Zip also comes with a cute little HyperStudio
>stack that makes instalation easy for even technical neophytes to
>insert the Zip.

>I was disappointed about two things:

>1)  The manual says that the cable is long enough to allow the card
>    fit in slots 1-4.  My cable ONLY allows the card to be installed
>    in slot 3 (no big deal, slot three is basically the standard slot
>    for such things anyway).

>2)  Zip stopped including the expansion port (similar to that found
>    on the Transwarp) on the card (at least mine doesn't have it).
>    This means that IF any device needs the expansion port, I'll have
>    to send it in for an upgrade.

> However, the Zip seems to out perform the Transwarp in every category
>except heat production :-) .  The Transwarp is like a furnace in the
>motherboard when compared to the Zip.

I tried a Transwarp GS shortly after they first came out (I have been shopping
at my local Apple dealer for so long that they let me try things out before
I buy). I was disappointed in the product. Installation proved to be a real
problem, and the card was far from reliable (Appleworks GS would crash at
Transwarp speed).

Last week I received my Zip GSX. It did suffer from one problem that I had with
the Transwarp (my CPU socket seems to be a bit wider than normal so I had to
bend the pins on the connector out a bit so that it would be a snug fit).
However, the rest of the installation was easy, and the card has performed
flawlessly. While I am sure that the Transwarp GS has improved since it came
out, I still feel the the Zip GSX is a better product.

The software support is better: there is a CDev, CDA and an Init, with an NDA
on the way. I don't care much for the NDA, since the CDev provides the same
functionality. I like being able the change the processor speed in various
increments. It is especially nice for games, since you can pick the speed that
suits you best.

The cable on my card (it still has the expansion connector on it), it long
enough to reach slots 1-4, but I still put it in slot 3.

The Hyperstudio stack would be especially useful for people who aren't
familiar with installing cards in their GS.

That's all for now.
-- 
George B. Zamroz, University of Wollongong, Australia
Masters Student (Computer Science)        
Internet: jorgi@cs.uow.edu.au