Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!husc6!think!ames!sdcsvax!ucsdhub!jack!man!nu3b2!rwhite From: rwhite@nu3b2.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.att Subject: Re: The Unix-pc! Message-ID: <687@nu3b2.UUCP> Date: Thu, 18-Jun-87 17:51:28 EDT Article-I.D.: nu3b2.687 Posted: Thu Jun 18 17:51:28 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 20-Jun-87 01:20:51 EDT References: <3980@jade.BERKELEY.EDU> Distribution: na Organization: National University, San Diego Lines: 94 Summary: Answers... In article <3980@jade.BERKELEY.EDU>, mic@lapis.berkeley.edu (Michel Bruneau) writes: > I have been following the discussion about the sale of the century for the > UNIX-PC. It is very interesting ($800 hardware, $700 software rigth?), but > nobody has yet answered my questions. Let me repeat them. Any words of > wisdom can be shared on the net as the volume is low in this newsground > anyhow, and I am never able to send thank you notes by e-mail as my > mailman doesn't recognise half the destinations (as any good mailman in real > life by the way). > Questions: > 1) Hardware: For $800, is the monitor included, color or monochrome? yes, monichrome graphics. > Is the mouse included? yes. > Keyboard? yes. > What is the chip at the heart of the machine? 68000 of some sort. > How fast is it? How fast can it run with Unix slowing it up? Speed is moderate, but I HATE the STUPID OFFICE WINDOW enviroment. I slows things down and screws them up. > Is the machine powerfull enough to carry the weigth of Unix? yes, but some versions of the os trash their swap space if you don't run shutdown every couple of days. > What is the speed of the hard- disk? Don't Know. but it usually makes an auful racket. > Is the 1 Meg ram the limit on the model 7300... No, you can put in more, but I dont know how much, their are only three (3) slots so pick and chose [a dual line phone controler with one built-in modem, and a serial and parallel port is included. > Are the 3B1 models different that the very handsome 7300 Yes, faster clock and extra electronics improve the machine beyond human belief. Real difference [and bigger case] but I don't know the details. > (i.e. are they the same box or do they consists of bigger clanky boxes)? slightly larger box in general [all demensions] and the monitor sits up on an extra inch or so of pedistal [added to contain some extra electronics. > Is there a compatibility card that allows running MSDOS? yes, "DOS-73" card. 640k herc/monichrome graphics/ms-mouse effective behavior. modem is com1, diskette is "A" and modt functions similarly mapped. Print is spooled. > I heard the Modem is included? Is it Hayes compatible? Not hayes compatable [though the dos-73 does some compatibility buisness [don't remember the details.] > 2) Software: Is the software to run the modem included? Yes, but it can be a pain. > Is the famouns SimulTask included? not per say, but the dos-73 driver does window the dos partition. > In the$700 of software that is deemed essential, is there a version of > the vi editor included, and what about f77 and troff?? no. no. and no. > Does it take an eternity to boot it up, and do you have to leave it > on all the time, or can you just shut it off every now and then like > the DOS boxes?? Shutting it down is just about manditory on a periodioc basis for system V rel 3 or eirler > 3) Generalities: Is this model going to be discontinued? 7300, I think yes , 3B1 definatly not. > What is the name of that UNIX-PC bulletin board somebody mentionned and > how can you contact it? Dont know. > How long is the warranty? Dont know. > Is AT&T going to support it for long if it discontinues the line? They claim so to us. > > That is a lot of essential questions, and any partial answer is appreciated > as I am very tempted by the prices.. These would be unbelievable prices for > a usefull and good machine, but a tad expensive for a useless box. I would maby buy the 3B1, but the 7300's I have been exposed to tent to disapoint me. They have a bastard child for UNIX. It does not function consistantly and is suspended between SVR3 and System 7. All you get is the user environment and ed. No cc, vi, nroff, make, or electronic mail, though uucp is in place their is no mailx or mail window, included in the standard software release. all these things are available for extra, everything mentioned above comes in the development set. We don't have 3.5 yet, but terminal sessions, and some other functions lock up from time to time. Usually because of swap space corruption. I say buy at you own risk. Robert. Disclaimer: My mind is so fragmented by random excursions into a wilderness of abstractions and incipient ideas that the practical purposes of the moment are often submerged in my consciousness and I don't know what I'm doing. [my employers cirtanily have no idea]