Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!burl!codas!mtune!mtgzz!drutx!druhi!med
From: med@druhi.ATT.COM (DrapalME)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Amstrad PC1512 CONFUSION - HELP!!!
Summary: Now, for the compatability info I promised.
Keywords: compatable
Message-ID: <2562@druhi.ATT.COM>
Date: 11 Jan 88 22:58:57 GMT
References: <832@augusta.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T, Denver, CO
Lines: 62

In article <832@augusta.UUCP>, bs@augusta.UUCP (Burch Seymour) writes:
> I've been thinking of getting an Amstrad PC 1512 and had corresponded with
> a person on the net who has one. His information is VERY different from
> the recent postings. Now I'm confused. Here's some of the comments I
> got from him:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> The 1512 comes with either mono or color (woops) colour monitor - the mono
> version being able to display colours as shades. Both have CGA (colour
> graphics adapter) compatability and are completely IBM compatible.
> 
> Overall, the Amstrads are about as compatible as clones get. Even the most
> hardware specific programs seems to run, and there are no problems with
> the major applications (1-2-3, Wordstar etc.). Programs such as Side-kick 
> and Flight Simulator work without any problems.
> 
> Hence you can easily drive a Tandon 20Mb Hardcard - like the one I use.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> So either the early units had problems that were fixed or one of these
> folks is mistaken. Anyone else who owns or uses one care to take a side
> here?
> 
> -bs-

	Well, I am know a new owner of an Amstrad PC1512DD.  I've been
posting information regarding the machine since I've been looking at it,
and have also seen the differing opinions here - seems that maybe the
machine is different on the other side of the "big lake".  Postings from
Europe seem to consistently indicate problems with compatability, but
articles that I've read in PC World, as well as hands-on experience seem
to indicate that these rumors are unfounded here in the US.

	First off, someone mentioned that the PC slots and/or machine itself
was not "hardware compatable".  I proposed using an off-the-shelf hard disk
and controller instead of purchasing the Amstrad version which uses "1.5
slots".  Well, this weekend I tried two different hard drives and two different
controllers *with NO compatability problems whatsoever*.  Simply installed
the controllers, drives, ran fdisk then formatted the drives.  They function
flawlessly!

	Secondly, someone mentioned that there were some "graphics
incompatabilities".  I took this with a grain of salt, since most articles,
including the one in PC World, indicate that the Amstrad is the most compatable
PC they've tested in a long time.  In fact, PC World tried it with some
program (midnight pinball something-or-other) which they claimed was very
graphics dependent, and that they were surprised that it worked perfectly.
Though I can't claim that I've tested everything, the Amstrad PC graphics
seem to be very compatable (I've tried a few games, and they run fine).

	So far, I've been very happy with the machine, and for the small
price tag it is a very good XT clone.  I'm a little concerned about the
full-time turbo, but other than that I have no complaints (well, just one
itsy-bitsy gripe - the height of the case will not accomodate taller than
average controller cards, one of the hard drive cards is about half an inch
too tall to replace the slot cover).

	If you have any more questions, or hear any more rumors that I could
attempt to dispell, please feel free to send them to me.

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