Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1exp 11/4/83; site ihuxq.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!floyd!clyde!ihnp4!ihuxq!covert From: covert@ihuxq.UUCP (covert) Newsgroups: net.micro Subject: Re: What home computer to buy Message-ID: <394@ihuxq.UUCP> Date: Tue, 22-Nov-83 12:21:00 EST Article-I.D.: ihuxq.394 Posted: Tue Nov 22 12:21:00 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 25-Nov-83 04:39:41 EST References: <1648@ihuxf.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il Lines: 46 The uses of a home computer must be delimited before a purchase can be made. If the computer is to be used mainly for entertainment then any of the small systems (Commodore, TI, Atari, etc.) should suffice. On the other hand, if the system is to be used for personal business or family general computing, then a system with acess to a large body of professional should be considered. Such a system would consist of the following: 1. CPU and CPU-related hardware (i.e. main memory, serial and parallel io, expansion boxes, etc.). 2. System peripherals such as modems, printers, terminals and voice sythesisizers (sp?). 3. Disk storage, either floppy or hard disk, preferably 10M to 20M. 4. Software such spreadsheet, database management, word processor, etc.. Discussing these four requirements separately: The cpu should be one which readily available software. The eight-bit 8080/8085 and z-80 are good choices. The 16-bit 8088 appears to be the most popular cpu now. The faster the cpu clock, the bettr, generally. An expansion box should be available so that as your needs grow you can add to your base system. Various types of io ports should be available so as to allow you use many type and vendors of peripherals. This allows you to pick the best peripheral for your specific need. The system peripherals should be able to interface to your machine. Things to look for are rs-232c serial and Centronics parallel interfaces. Many modems are available with serial interfaces. Most printers can be purchased with either serial or Centronics paralle interfaces. Serial interfaces can use a longer cable, so as to allow the printer to be located in a convenient location. Parallel cables are generally short (less then 5 feet) and may restrict you choices in locating your printer. The disk storage is actually are of the most important parts of your system. A small system will be much more useful if you can store all of your programs on-line. A system with 100k to 300k floppys just does not have enough storage to be useful on a daily basis. In conclusion, a home computer can be used for mainly entertaninment or for educational and/or business purposes. If used for entertainment then any machine with a large body of games should suffice. If used for serious programming then you should purchase a system that is expandable, with a large body of software and peripherals. A CP/M sytem or an ibm-pc would be acceptable. -- richard covert ihnp4!ihuxq!covert