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From: tjc@mbunix.mitre.org (Tom J. Colley)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,comp.sys.dec.micro,comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: DEC Rainbow
Keywords: Digital, personal computer
Message-ID: <45393@linus.UUCP>
Date: 24 Feb 89 13:55:14 GMT
References: <4028@ingr.com>
Sender: news@linus.UUCP
Reply-To: tjc@mbunix (Tom Colley)
Lines: 42

In article <4028@ingr.com> jeff@ingr.com (Jeff Kilpatrick) writes:
>
>  I just read an article in Digital Review where DEC has slashed prices on 
>their Rainbows, model PC100, and Professional 350.  I understand the latter
>machine runs RSX11M+ and the previous runs DOS.  Anyone know if these machines
>have expansion slots?  If so, is it an IBM PC type or DEC proprietary(sp?)?
>Does it come with support for a serial printer?  Any recommendations for using
>one as a home computer?
>
>Thanks in advance.

Jeff,
	Get this:  I own a DEC Rainbow--no, make that two Rainbows.  One is a 
100A and the other a 100B.  Currently, one sits unused, and so does the 
other!  The 100B has 768KB RAM and a 5MB hard disk and the standard two 
RX50 disk drives.  The other has 256KB RAM and the RX50s.  True, it can
run CP/M and DOS, but I'd be real surprised if anyone has released software
for it in 4 or 5 years.  It is not IBM compatible in the least.  There are
two 'slots' you can expand into.  One is for the hard disk or extended comm
option.  The other is for the graphics option.  I have documentation for 
the 100A but never bothered to get the massive three binders for the 100B.
In one of the binders is some documentation on the slot for the graphics opt.
	I have not used either system because of the lack of modern software
and compatibility with everyone else.  If you indeed are interested in 
purchasing one, I'll sell you two.  Actually I'll unload the 100B with hard
disk and 512KB RAM and all the software I have and all the documentation for
$999.95  I honestly think that this is way too much for a used DEC Rainbow,
but in the local swap sheet, people are asking for $1500 for a 128KB, no hard
disk system (I feel for the people who buy them).
	Incidentally, I used to do some repair work for the CS department at 
the alma matter.  DEC went overboard with service charges, so I volunteered 
to fix them.  It was very nearly a full time job.  They were very susceptable 
to bad connections, and the RX50s fail quickly (and are annoyingly noisy).
	Now it would seem that I think the things are junk.  Well...I did
get quite a bit of enjoyment from these machines three years ago, and they
were state of the art the day they were released (two processors, CP/M AND
MS-DOS, vt100,...).  And by the way, two serial ports.  One labeled COMM and
the other PRINTER. 

						Tom
P.S.  anyone interested in buying the gem, e-mail your bid! 
Sorry if I insulted any Rainbow power users :-)