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From: iltis@ucsbcsl.UUCP ( )
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac
Subject: Info request on Mac Xl pixel problem (long)
Message-ID: <270@ucsbcsl.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 7-Apr-85 15:01:56 EST
Article-I.D.: ucsbcsl.270
Posted: Sun Apr  7 15:01:56 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 10-Apr-85 03:28:48 EST
Organization: U.C. Santa Barbara
Lines: 32

I am considering the eventual purchase of a Mac XL.  The pixel aspect
ratio problem seems to make its use with Macdraw and such very difficult.
I'd like to hear about solutions that are available to correct the aspect
ratio.  Twiddling with the pots has been mentioned, however, none of the
dealers I spoke with knew anything about this method, nor could I see
any pots other than brightness and focus when removing the front and
back panels of a Mac XL on display.

As an interesting aside, one dealer showed me the manual for the release
version of MacWorks XL (boots directly from the hard disk).  
There is a statement in the manual
to the effect that the dealer can adjust the XL so that
its screen has the same appearance as the Mac's.  However, I received the
usual contradictory statements as to the cost (from free to $200 ) and
availability date for this upgrade.  One rumor is that it just involves
a PROM change (or maybe its just the pot twiddling method!).  

BTW, thanks for the replies about my problems ordering a hard disk from
the Bottom Line, the net response was that such postings about mail order
and distributor problems are indeed worthwhile.  The concensus was that
software ordered from the Bottom Line arrived very quickly.  No one reported
any problems dealing with them, on the other hand, no one who replied
had attempted to order hardware from them.  If the aspect ratio is fixed,
however, the MacXL seems like a far  superior alternative to a Mac with
a hard disk (even if its the Hyperdrive).  

 
-- 
All opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily
those of my employer
Ronald A. Iltis
UCSB Dept. ECE