Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!wuarchive!uunet!blkcat!Uucp
From: Charlie.Mingo@p4218.f421.n109.z1.FidoNet.Org (Charlie Mingo)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: 32-bits: what's the big deal?
Message-ID: <674696625.0@blkcat.FidoNet>
Date: 19 May 91 20:25:58 GMT
Sender: Uucp@p0.f40.n109.z1.FidoNet.Org
Lines: 31


    At the risk of starting a flame war, I'd like to question why there's such
a flap over "32-bit clean" ROM's at the moment.

    I only ask this because 32-bit mode seems vastly overhyped to me.  I run a
IIci with 8Mb of (real) RAM.  I still run in 24-bit mode because (i) 32-bit mode
may introduce compatability problems, and (ii) 13 Mb of virtual is "enough":
enough for almost anything I could conceivably run; even enough for Mathematica.

    It seems that, until 4Mb SIMMs become more reasonably priced,* there will be 
no macs out there with more than 8Mb real RAM.  Since virtual memory is not
supposed to be more than double real, it would seem that the 13 or 14 Mb
limit imposed by 24-bit mode can handle existing hardware adequately.

    So all you netters out there who have been baying and woofing for 32-bit
clean ROMs, tell me one thing:  what would you do with 32-bits if you got them?






* Currently, 4Mb SIMMs go for about $800 each; on 32-bit machines, SIMMs have
to be matched in banks of four, so the minimum 4Mb SIMM configuration is 16Mb
for $3200.    Does *anyone* out there have a Mac with 4Mb SIMMs?

DISCLAIMER:  I'm not questioning whether Apple is morally or legally obligated
to give you 32-bits; I'm only asking why you want it.


 * Origin: mingo@well.sf.ca.us  mingo@cup.portal.com (1:109/421.4218)