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From: west@bnrmtv.UUCP (Andrew West)
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac
Subject: DataFrame changes
Message-ID: <724@bnrmtv.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Sep-86 20:39:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: bnrmtv.724
Posted: Tue Sep 23 20:39:45 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 24-Sep-86 09:10:52 EDT
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Organization: Bell Northern Research, Mtn. View, CA
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I recently called SuperMac to ask them some questions about
their DataFrame 20 and was told the following:

1)  The type of drive they are using internally is changing.  Instead
    of the MicroScience they have been using, they will be using
    LPine OR SeaGate (by the way, I aplogize for the spelling, which
    I am sure somebody will correct.  I was talking to someone with
    a heavy accent) which means that one person's DataFrame may not
    be the same internally as another's.  Yes, they will be selling
    DFs with either type of drive.

2)  The software included with the drive is out of beta and is
    and official release.

3)  The "XP upgrade", for $99 for the first month or so (Oct) and
    $200 thereafter consists of an added ROM chip which helps out
    the SCSI driver routines to speed everything up (the rumor I
    originally heard was that the DF ROM cleaned up some sloppy
    firmare in Apple's SCSI driver)


I was wondering if anyone had some comments on any of this.  I think
I have heard about the "SeaGate" drive being used in some other
harddrive but I can't remember where.  Has anybody had any experience
with the older or newer models of the DF20, or with a drive which
uses one of the new drives (SeaGate or LPine)?  Any problems or
recommendations?

Has anyone seen or tried out the new software (in beta version or
released) and have any comments?

And lastly, has anyone had a chance to see the XP in action?  Is the
difference worth it?

Well, that's a lot of questions, but I'd like all the information
I can get before I plop down $800+ for a DataFrame (as of this
moment, the DF still seems like the best drive for the $ I have seen).

					    Andy