Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!sri-spam!mordor!lll-tis!ptsfa!rtech!daveb From: daveb@rtech.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.att Subject: Re: The Unix-pc! Message-ID: <933@rtech.UUCP> Date: Fri, 19-Jun-87 00:43:14 EDT Article-I.D.: rtech.933 Posted: Fri Jun 19 00:43:14 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 20-Jun-87 06:50:20 EDT References: <3980@jade.BERKELEY.EDU> Reply-To: daveb@rtech.UUCP (Dave Brower) Organization: Relational Technology, Alameda CA Lines: 117 [ Questions answered in line ] In <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? >Is the mouse included? >Keyboard? >What is the chip at the heart of the machine? >How fast is it? How fast can it run with Unix slowing it up? Includes keyboard, mouse, monochrome (green) monitor. Other monitors (like) white) are available from Amperfax for around $150-200. >Is the machine powerfull enough to carry the weigth of Unix? Yes, very much so. Around 1100 dhrystones, about the same class compute-wise as a VAX 750 or a Sun-2. It is NOT a screamer like a 68020 Sun, but it cost a LOT less. As noted below, you want more than 1M memory. >What is the speed of the hard- disk? The 10 & 20M drives on the 7300 are 85ms slugs. You can either get a 3b1 instead, or replace the drive with any 7 head st506 1/2 high. A Full high can be installed if you get the 3b1 case top, which is about $72 from AT&T. Regretabbly, I've lost the select code. Or you can hang some wires out the case, which is what I've done. >Is the 1 Meg ram the limit on the model 7300... The 7300 is limited to 2-1/2M, 2M expansion, 512k on the motherboard. >Are the 3B1 models different that the very handsome 7300 >(i.e. are they the same box or do they consists of bigger clanky boxes)? The top is a bit thicker to house a full height drive. >Is there a compatibility card that allows running MSDOS? Yes, though it isn't a whole lot cheaper than a Brand-X clone. >I heard the Modem is included? Is it Hayes compatible? >2) Software: Is the software to run the modem included? The modem is built in. It is not hayes compaatable, but you never need to deal with it. The essential software (cu and uucp) know how to talk to it directly. Programs can dial/answer the phone using library calls in C. >Is the famouns SimulTask included? Nope. >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 f77 or troff. The current (3.5) software gives you C with long identifiers. The previous (2.0 and 3.0) limited you to 8 character identifiers. I suspect the two packages (Base system and "Unix Utilities") are available for less than the $700 you quote. >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?? It takes maybe 5 minutes to boot. I don't turn mine off. Right now I'm at home, cu-ed to work where I'm reading news. It has been up since May 27th, when I had some power problems. >3) Generalities: Is this model going to be discontinued? At these prices, It's a good bet. >What is the name of that UNIX-PC bulletin board somebody mentionned and >how can you contact it? There is an alternate news feed (unix-pc.general), with several bay area sites. >How long is the warranty? 90 days, I think, which is typical. >Is AT&T going to support it for long if it discontinues the line? A good question. There are many of them internal to AT&T, so it is quite possible that there will be support after the machine is axed from the product line. Or, us on the outside may be left in the cold while the internal users get what they want. Or, eveybody is goind to be hung out to dry. >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. > >Awaiting your answers, Michel Bruneau If you want a UNIX machine at home with minium hassle and low price, look no further. This is a real deal. I strongly recommend getting a machine with 2M of memory instead of 1M, and the price on the big 3b1 is still quite reasonable. So good, I'm thinking about getting myself another one for spares. Let me know if you find anyone local willing to make you a deal. -dB -- {amdahl, cbosgd, mtxinu, ptsfa, sun}!rtech!daveb daveb@rtech.uucp