Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ncrlnk!ncrcae!hubcap!gatech!ukma!xanth!mcnc!thorin!clocs!davis
From: davis@clocs.cs.unc.edu (Mark Davis)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Questions on Unitech and Tandy
Summary: Tandy Not So Bad
Message-ID: <6239@thorin.cs.unc.edu>
Date: 18 Jan 89 23:10:33 GMT
References: <149000025@inmet> <4700@xenna.Encore.COM>
Sender: news@thorin.cs.unc.edu
Reply-To: davis@cs.unc.edu (Mark Davis)
Organization: University Of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Lines: 44

In article <4700@xenna.Encore.COM> paradis@maxzilla.UUCP (Jim Paradis) writes:
>>Also, what about Tandy computers? Are they any good? Are they really 
>>'compatible'?
>
>Ack!  Phphpht!
>Actually, I think that more recent Tandy computers are much more
>compatible than their earlier MS-DOS offerings. ...
>
>Not to mention that most Radio Shlock salesmen don't seem to
>have two neurons to rub together.....

First, some of the Tandy line does still have compatibility problems.
To my knowledge, all of the 1000 line requires specialized disk
controllers (normally only a few dollars ($20) extra).  I have had no
compatibility trouble with the 1200HD (with mail order 1200 baud modem,
30 Meg disk, 1.44 Meg 3.5" floppy, and Hercules graphics card) that I
bought 4 years ago or the 3000 (something) that my brother bought a
year ago.  They claim that the 5000MC is an accurate MCA clone and the
4000 is a compatible as any 386 in an AT box.

Secondly, salesmen are salesman.  In 8 years of window shopping in all
different kinds of stores, I have only found one that knew more than I
did.  (This is not quite as bad as it sounds.  Since I design them and
they sell them, you would hope I know a little more about computers.)  I
have found two really knowledgeble people in two different Tandy stores
in my area, but if you talk to the wrong guy, you are out of luck.

Radio Shack has the advantage that if it breaks you can take it to any
Radio Shack in the land and it will get fixed.  (May take a week, but
they will get it fixed.)

Their prices for peripherals are much higher than mail order.

If you do not feel comfortable mail ordering the system you want, you
may want to try Tandy because they build fairly reliable boxes (these
days) and you can get them fixed.  I recommend checking with several
Tandy Computer Stores in your area until you find somebody you can
talk to.

I have no direct affiliation with Tandy/Radio Shack.  I am a happy
owner of a couple and I frequently recommend them.  (However, my last
recommendation was "Mail order a Premier 1000").

Hope this helps - Mark (davis@cs.unc.edu or uunet!mcnc!davis)