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From: heine@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Eric Heine)
Newsgroups: comp.text.desktop
Subject: 486 vs. 386 for PageMaker 4.0
Message-ID: <1991May23.223114.27856@casbah.acns.nwu.edu>
Date: 23 May 91 22:31:14 GMT
Organization: Northwestern University
Lines: 27


I am planning to upgrade my current computing/DTP platform.  I run
PageMaker 4.0 for the PC under Windows 3.0 currently (although I'd switch
to a PM version for OS/2 3.0 if/when these become available).  

The minimum platform to which I'd like to upgrade would be a 33-MHz 386
with buckets of RAM (16MB), etc., etc.  My real question has to do with the
issue of math coprocessors.  Since it's essentially cheaper to get a 25-MHz
486 (which incorporates the floating point coprocessor onto the CPU chip)
than it is to buy a 33-MHz 386 plus an 80387-33 coprocessor, but cheaper
still to get a 33-MHz 386 _without_ a coprocessor, I'm wondering whether
I'd receive any real benefit (wrt PageMaker 4.0) from having a floating
point coprocessor.  Essentially, my choice boils down to this: if the
consensus indicates that a coprocessor is a worthwhile piece of hardware
for DTP, I'll get a 25-MHz 486.  If not, I'll get a 33-Mhz 386.

Your advice is welcome...

Thanks!

--Eric Heine

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		Cire Computer and Typesetting Services
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			heine@casbah.acns.nwu.edu
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