Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!pacbell!att-ih!att-cb!cbosgd!meccts!fizban!sds
From: sds@fizban.Fizban.MN.ORG (Steven D. Splinter)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: VT220, GS+ (actually, just GS+)
Message-ID: <37@fizban.Fizban.MN.ORG>
Date: 11 Mar 88 04:34:54 GMT
References: <8803061316.aa29780@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA>
Organization: Splinter Home for the Absent of Mind
Lines: 64

From article <8803061316.aa29780@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA>, by DICKSON@HARTFORD.BITNET:
> 1)  More speed.
> 2)  640x400 mode (at least)
> 3)  a chip I heard about for the Unidisk 3.5 that will supposedly increase the
>   speed to 4x normal (is this true?)
> 3)  More speed.
> oops, sorry, that was number 4.
> 5)  stereo output, which should cost another $2 or so, considering the chip
>   already outputs stereo.
> 6)  More speed.
> 7)  MOST IMPORTANT!!!!  I want the d*mn thing to be a relatively cheap upgrade
>   of what we already have!  Maybe just a faster 65816 to replace the old one
>   with.  Another (ugh) new VGC.  A new output jack (Apple, I'll send you some
>   from Radio Shack if you want!)  I upgraded my //e to a GS just over a year
>   ago, and the prospect of having to replace the motherboard sickens me.....
>   especially since it might not fit inside my //e case!
> 8)  Maybe put the tools in ROM?  Is there any way to do this if apple doesn't?

Ok, we want a GS+.  first, if (as one poster suggested) we don't care about IIe
compatability, we buy an Amiga 500.  end of problem.

But, assuming we want an Apple II because we want to run some IIe software,

1,3,6)	More speed.  This is relatively simple, just a faster processor, and 
	see 7 above), faster RAM, MegaII, FPI, etc. all the support chips will
	need to run at the higher clock rate.

2)	640x400 (at least!?!), well, the GS is already impossible to use in
	native mode w/o at least 768k.  This request will make the 32k screen
	64k (at least), and, since the size of everything (all bitmaps) will
	also double, will erase much of the effects of (1,3,6).  This will also
	require a *much* more expensive monitor (see Mac II monitor prices).
	(remember, see 7 above), this means we need to make it MUCH faster, and
	make 1meg ram standard.

3)	Stereo output.  A nice idea, but since originally the sound chip
	was going to be optional, the lack of a stereo port can be forgiven.
	Since we're already redesigning the motherboard (for the extra RAM),
	we may as well put a stereo port in, and redesign the back of the case
	as well.

4)	Tools in ROM.  They're working on it.  The new ROMS have more of the
	system in them, and, a hypothetical GS+ would certainly be an
	opportunity to put more in there.

So, we have our hypothetical system:
	gs+: 1meg RAM, 800k drive, 640x400 color screen, 8-16mhz, stereo,
	cheap upgrade?

	MacII:1meg RAM,80k drive, 768x400 color screen, 16mhz, stereo.

I hope you see my point.  The GS+, if (when) it exists, will almost certainly
not change the basic system constraints (esp. the screen size).  most likely
is a machine with 512-1meg standard, and a faster processor. (maybe 3 speeds?)

It will almost certainly NOT be an inexpensive upgrade.  At best it's another
motherboard swap, at worst (if the change the ports, or the motherboard gets
bigger), no upgrade path.

That's the way I see it,
-- 
-Steven D. Splinter			UUCP	sds@fizban, meccts!fizban!sds
-MECC Technical Services		or	sds@meccts, meccts!sds
-How about a vacation in Minnesota this year?  See the (10,000) loveli lakes.
 The wonderful telephone system, and many interesting furry animals.