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From: farren@hoptoad.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Reactions to IBM PC2 graphics
Message-ID: <1980@hoptoad.uucp>
Date: Sun, 12-Apr-87 03:17:38 EST
Article-I.D.: hoptoad.1980
Posted: Sun Apr 12 03:17:38 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 12-Apr-87 20:36:10 EST
References: <10726@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU> <1583@husc6.UUCP> <441@tahoe.UUCP>
Reply-To: farren@hoptoad.UUCP (Mike Farren)
Distribution: na
Organization: Nebula Consultants in San Francisco
Lines: 32
Keywords: OS/2, Vaporware

In article <441@tahoe.UUCP> marki@tahoe.UUCP writes:
>A prof told me today that OS/2 is NOT finished yet (i.e. VAPORWARE ) and
>that the ads for these (new) computers are simply PREVIEWS. I haven't seen
>the commercials yet, but I understand that there is NO windowing; the
>various screens are quickly scrolled.  Is this true?

Prof was talking through his academic hat.  A version of OS/2 is finished now,
and is being revised to provide greater speed.  The basics of the OS are done,
though, including the windowing system (called Presentation Manager).  The
machines, except for the '386 machines, are available now, and have been in
most stores since the day of the announcement.

After looking at the data for the new products announced, I don't think the
Amiga is in a lot of trouble, though.  The new graphics standard provides
256 colors, all right, but only on the 320 X 200 screen.  640 X 480 is 16
colors only.  You can get up to 1024 X 768, 256 colors, but to do this
requires a $1500 monitor and a $1000 (I think, may be more) card for the
graphics controller and a $600 graphics memory add-on card.  Hot stuff for
the CAD and high-level graphics set, but not Amiga competition.

It begins to look more and more like the Amiga 2000 with the 68020 processor
card and UNIX plus the long-persistance monitor (when all of this becomes
available) may well end up being THE cheap UNIX box many of us want to see.
When you add in the '286 bridge card, you'll have a real fine all-round
useful system for a lot less than the equivalent Mac II or IBM box.  I'm
looking forward to it!

-- 
----------------
                 "... if the church put in half the time on covetousness
Mike Farren      that it does on lust, this would be a better world ..."
hoptoad!farren       Garrison Keillor, "Lake Wobegon Days"