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From: ma168a@sdcc3.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.tandy,comp.sys.misc
Subject: Re: Tandy 2000 Question
Message-ID: <3876@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU>
Date: Wed, 22-Apr-87 10:17:40 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc3.3876
Posted: Wed Apr 22 10:17:40 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Apr-87 01:55:36 EST
References: <259@rruxa.UUCP> <1623@ihwpt.ATT.COM>
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 23
Keywords: MS-DOS, IBM-Compatable
Xref: utgpu comp.sys.tandy:190 comp.sys.misc:513
Summary: history (?)

> Glad you asked.  A year ago Tandy was having a real garage-sale
> of items including 2000s.  I asked the salesman how IBM-patible
> the beast was.  He said "About 5%".  I replied "You mean about
> five pct of IBM stuff won't run on it?"  He corrected "No, 5%
> WILL run, 95% WON'T!"
> I asked "what did Tandy make it for then?"  

  If memory serves correctly, the 2000 was introduced at about
the same time as the IBM-PC. It has a better chip (80186), better
graphics, and higher capacity disks. Tandy introduced the machine
as it's entry into the 16-bit/MS-DOS market. Tandy has been in
the home computer business for longer than IBM -- but it doesn't
have IBM's ability to set standards. There is a utility to convert
PC disks to 2000 disks -- but programs which bypass DOS and address
hardware (and perhaps even BIOS) will not run. Certain types of
programs (e.g. communications packages) do this -- others do not.
I think 5% is a bit low as an estimate.
  With Tandy's introduction of the 3000 (which is highly IBM-
compatible) I expect that the low prices for the 2000 are
closeouts.  [I've heard reports that the 2000 is a fine machine.
Don't eliminate it if its main use is to run certain specific
software -- but test it first]
					J. Wavrik