Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 alpha 4/15/85; site wheaton Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!invest!wheaton!victor From: victor@wheaton (Victor Roetman) Newsgroups: net.micro Subject: Wanted: info on what computer to buy Message-ID: <91@wheaton> Date: Wed, 23-Apr-86 09:36:31 EST Article-I.D.: wheaton.91 Posted: Wed Apr 23 09:36:31 1986 Date-Received: Thu, 24-Apr-86 07:42:30 EST Organization: Wheaton College, Wheaton IL Lines: 88 ----------------- Eat this, line eater! ---------------------- I have a Commodore 64 right now, and it is a nice computer and has worked fine for years, but I feel I am ready for a new one. Mainly, there are four things I want in a computer: 1) I would like to have 80 columns. 40 is just a little bit too limited. 2) I need a decent word processor. I just haven't seen any good ones for my 64. 3) I would like a 1200 baud or greater modem. For my uses, 300 is usually too slow. 4) I would like more speed in my computer and disk drive. The 1541 is the slowest drive I have ever seen. Also, the 6510 is not the fastest microprocessor, but it does suffice. Now, I have figured that the cheapest and most minimum way to go is with the Commodore 128. I can get a decent modem, Wordstar (with the CP/M), 80 columns, and a better disk drive. I can use all the software I have now, and all the periphials I have now. The only problem is that CP/M is going out and is no longer the big thing. There will not be too much more software written for CP/M although there is a big data base out there already. But I really am not too happy with the Commodore series because they are not too expandable. Another thing I could do is just forget a new computer and just use the mainframes (or near main frames like this Micro Vax II) here at our school (Wheaton College) because they have UNIX and all the power I could really ever need. I don't really like this idea because I like having a micro around because it is mine and is is personal (thus PC :-). I also really like to play around with sound and graphics because they are fun and give me something to do on days when I have nothing else to do (which hasen't happened yet this year :-). Also, I can do the word processing in my room and not have to walk to the computer lab. I am really considering the Amiga, Atari, or the Macintosh computers because they are state of the art. They also cost a lot of money. I am paying a lot for tuition here so money is an issue. But if I cut corners, I probably could afford one. The Macintosh is already out and has lots of software and is definitely a good machine, but it costs a lot and it doesn't have color graphics and the sound of the Amiga or the Atari. The Amiga sounds good, especially with the PC AT compatibility (which I have not seen, so I do not know how good it really is or what not) and its graphics, sound, dedicated hardware, and speed with the 68000. The Atari also sounds good (a built in MIDI interface) although I do not know as much about it as I do the Amiga. The only problem with these is that I do not know whether or not they are going to make it in this market. I know both Commodore and Atari are having trouble and these two computers are their lives (probably). If not many people buy these computers, there will be no software out for them, and software definitely makes the computer. I do not want to get stuck with another Coleco Adam. However, if these two do make it, it would be good to catch them at the beginning of their market so they will be good for years. Like CP/M, Apple II, Commodore 64, and even MS are seeing their last days, I feel. There are two other options that I can see: get a UNIX machine like the AT&T computer, or wait and see what happens with the new 68020 chip computers. Or I could get the Commodore 128 and then use that until something else good comes out, but that would cost me about $500. I have read nothing about this subject on this newsgroup or any other so I would like anybody out there with their own ideas about anything I have talked about to please speak up, either on the net so others can read about it, or by private mail if you would like to do that instead. I am really caught about what to do and I have been waiting for a year now. I almost got the 128 during Christmas break, but decided to wait, but I would like to make a decision by the end of this summer. Thanks a lot to any of you who struggled through reading this and especially to those of you who reply. Vic Roetman UUCP: ihnp4!wheaton!victor