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From: wtm@neoucom.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: IBM, this is 4 u
Message-ID: <543@neoucom.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 8-Apr-87 14:05:05 EST
Article-I.D.: neoucom.543
Posted: Wed Apr  8 14:05:05 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 11-Apr-87 09:23:43 EST
References: <1741@isis.UUCP> <1180@lcuxlm.UUCP>
Organization: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Lines: 35
Summary: PC/II will inspire other vendors


I have to agree that relative to clones, the new computers from IBM
aren't particularly price/performance leaders, but the higher end
products are significant improvements in performance, if not price.
A couple of fast new machines from IBM ought to inspire the other
guys to out-gun IBM in price and or performance which will result
in better mahcines for us.

The "micro channel" connectors in the new up scale models are a
good idea, becuase the "normal" PeeCee buss doesn't do very well at
speeds above 10-12 MHz.  Unfortunately, there aren't many cards
around for it, but that's technology for you.  At least, if you've
just got to use some "normal" option card, you can still buy a
pretty nice clone to interface with it.

Unfortunately, IBM is MAC-ing the PC/II models by indulging in
ASICs and proprietary code for the O/S in ROM.  This will probably
wall off the new models from the mainstream PeeCee market, but then
the MacIntosh survives on its own.  I do have a feeling that IBM
isn't going to sell as many PC/IIs as it would like to, at least at
first.

Overall, I can't say that I really like the new PC/IIs, but I do
think they're a good thing because they will provide impetus to
goad the clone makers into producing better machines.  I'm sure
that if IBM sells enough PC/IIs, that lots of companies will make
goodies for the micro channel.

  --Bill

Bill Mayhew
Division of Basic Medical Sciences
Northeastern Ohio Universites' College of Medicine
Rootstown, OH  44272  USA    phone:  216-325-2511
(wtm@neoucom.UUCP   ...!cbatt!neoucom!wtm)