Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!homxb!mtuxo!mtgzz!drutx!druhi!med
From: med@druhi.ATT.COM (DrapalME)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: AMSTRAD PC1512
Summary: PC1512 is really nice for the price...
Message-ID: <2525@druhi.ATT.COM>
Date: 4 Jan 88 16:24:42 GMT
References: <2322@ihuxv.ATT.COM>
Organization: AT&T, Denver, CO
Lines: 74

In article <2322@ihuxv.ATT.COM>, arb1@ihuxv.ATT.COM (Blackburn) writes:
> 
> Has anyone heard anything good or bad about the Amstrad PC1512.
> It it pretty cheap in comparison to other XT compatibles and has
> an 8086 rather than the 8088 which is a plus.
> 
> 8086 16-bit CPU (8mhz)
> Amber monitor
> 640K on motherboard
> mouse
> 20 meg hard disk
> 360K floppy
> 3 expansion slots (hard drive takes up 1.5) ** is this a problem? **
> keyboard
> DOS 3.2
> 
> 
> all for about 1150.00
> 
> Any reponse would be appreciated.
> 
> Alan Blackburn
> ..!ihnp4!ihuxv!arb1

Well, I can talk from experience, since I just bought a PC1512DD (2-360K
floppies) for my parents for Christmas.  I chose the Amstrad for them, since
it has GEM Desktop/Paint included in the "free" software (nothing's "free"
anymore :-)) so they could use GEM to get started, and learn MS-DOS in
their leasure time.

For the good points:
	1) First, and foremost, it is *very* compatible - 123 came up without
	   a hitch - PC World magazine claims that the Amstrad is the most
	   compatible PC that they have seen in a long time.
	2) The bundled software (4 disks total) is very complete - MS-DOS
	   3.2, GEM Desktop, GEM Paint, DOS PLUS (CP/M like OS), and
	   Locomotive BASIC are included.
	3) The documentation included is very complete, but a little too
	   skimpy for us hacker-types (;-) - BUT, I called Amstrad (in Texas)
	   and they sent me a technical reference manual that has everything
	   but schematics in it ($40).
	4) Expansion from 512K to 640K is a snap, just add 18 64K DRAMS and
	   move a jumper.
	5) Built-in battery backed up clock, video (both mono and color - CGA),
	   8Mhz 8086, 3 slots (one is a "half" slot, but you can use it as a
	   full slot - there just isn't a card guide on one end).  Socket
	   for an optional 8087 is included.

Now, for some of the weak points:
	1) Only 3 slots (1.5 if you buy their hard disk) - Well, you could
	   buy an expansion box ($150-250) if you need more slots, but why?
	   Also, I would probably stay away from their HD, 1.5 slots seems
	   excessive to me - just buy a PC1512DD and a 1 slot hard card.
	2) Full-time 8Mhz turbo - this may be a problem for some software,
	   though this is getting better with most of the newer software.
	   If you really need to go back to 4.77Mhz, it should be easy
	   (though I haven't checked yet) to put in a switchable turbo option.
	3) Monitors - You really do need to buy one of their monitors (CGA
	   color or B/W monochrome) because they power the system from a
	   90 watt power supply enclosed in the monitor.  This may seem silly
	   at first (it did to me anyway), but this allows them not to include
	   a fan in the CPU box (read - *very quiet*).  I did take a stab
	   at using a different monitor/power supply combo, but looking at
	   the pricing on their monitors, hacking in all of the power/video
	   connections does not seem cost effective.

All in all, I was very impressed with the machine - so much so that I may just
buy myself one.  As for the pricing you quoted - $999 (or less) for that
system through Tussey Computer Products 1-800-468-9044.  If anyone has
any more questions regarding this system, please feel free to send me e-mail.

					Myron Drapal
					AT&T - Denver
					..!ihnp4!druhi!med