Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!sun-barr!texsun!pollux!killer!igloo!andyross From: andyross@igloo.Scum.COM (Andrew Rossmann) Newsgroups: comp.sys.tandy Subject: Re: Tandy hardware Message-ID: <1426@igloo.Scum.COM> Date: 14 May 89 20:37:46 GMT References: <2520@csd4.milw.wisc.edu> Reply-To: andyross@igloo.UUCP (Andrew Rossmann) Distribution: na Organization: igloo, Northbrook, IL Lines: 105 In article <2520@csd4.milw.wisc.edu> chaz@csd4.milw.wisc.edu (Charles D Lembach) writes: > > I am considering purchasing a Tandy computer, probally one of thier >1000 series. I know of thier three models, not sure of the specific >intials, maybe SL, TL, TX? I do know that two are 286 based, and the >third is not. I have a few questions if someone would be kind enough >to answer them. The current 1000 series is the TL, SL and HX, in descending price order. The HX is a 7.16MHz 8088 in a one piece case. It does not have standard PC slots. The SL is an 8MHz 8086 w/ 384K and a 360K disk (room for a second.) The TL is an 8MHz 80286 w/ 640K and a 720K disk (room for both 5.25" and 3.5" if I remember right.) The SL and TL are replacements for the SX and TX, respectively. > >1) When owning a Tandy computer, do you have to strictly purchase >Tandy hardware for it? i.e. disk drives, hard disks, etc. You can buy third party hard drives for all except the HX. The L series can use standard PC/XT controllers. You do not need special Tandy 1000 controllers (only the original 1000 and 1000A need it.) The only real oddball part you might need is a Tandy printer cable (The computer end is a card edge instead of a DB25.) > A) if not, is there a barnd that doesn't have compatibility problems? > >2) Of the three mentioned above, which one is better in terms of IBM >compatibility? I do know thE two 286 based machines are quite alike, >the only differnece I could tell was in the sound department. All are essentially 100% compatible. The SL and TL have IBM standard extended keyboards. The HX has the older 1000 style that is highly compatible. As the owner of an SX, I've had no real trouble with that style keyboard. Even though the TL has an 80286, it is NOT an AT compatible. It is just a super-power XT. The 3000NL is the entry level AT for Tandy. > >3) Maybe someone could tell me what the specific details are between >the three? As mentioned above: TL: 8Mhz 80286, 640K, DOS 3.3 in ROM, Deskmate in ROM. Memory can be expanded to 768K, with the extra 128K being used for video (video normally takes away 16K of your regular RAM. 1-3.5" 720K drive. Room for another 3.5" device and 1-5.25" device. Video is CGA with extensions (320x200 16 color and 640x200 16 color.) Also supports Hercules (with a monochrome monitor.) Sound available is a 3-voice chip (same as the PCjr and all other 1000's) and a digital sound recorder/player. There are 5 8-bit slots (10" length), 2 joystick ports, a stereo-headphone jack (1/8"), mic in, parallel port, serial port (9 pin). It also has a built in clock/calendar. SL: 8MHz 8086, 384K (expandable to 640K). All the features of the TL, except it comes with 1-360K disk, and has room for 1 more 5.25" device. It also does not have a clock/calendar. HX: 7.16Mhz 8088, 256K (expandable to 640K w/ expansion board), CGA extended (320x200 16 color), 3-voice sound, parallel printer port, headphone jack, 1-3.5" 720K disk (room for another 3.5" device), 2 joytick ports, DOS 2.11 in ROM, Deskmate in ROM. The expansion is through a 'PLUS' connector. There is actually only 1, but the memory expansion adaptor has 2 additional connecctors on it, allowing up to 3 cards. Some third parties have hard disk controllers that let you run an external hard disk. In fact, I'd bet that someone has an adaptor letting you use a 3.5" hard disk mounted internally (if the power supply could handle it.) > >4) The prices are somewhere around $699 (For the non-286, can't think >of the CPU number) to $1499 (not sure) for the claimed better of the >three. Is this too much to pay for IBM compats and if so, what other >brands are there in this price range or lower? The original catalog has the TL at 1299, the SL at 899, and the HX at 699. I'm pretty sure that prices have changed, and at least one of them is always on sale. For XT style computers, prices are fairly competitive, especially if you buy most of your peripherals from someone other than Tandy. > >I'm running out of questions, but I'm sure thats enough for you to >ponder over. If you netters still like me after I have bored you with >all these questions, I may come up with some more. :-) I curently own a Tandy 1000SX with 640K, Logitech Bus Mouse, Practical Peripherals 2400 baud internal modem, Tandy DMP-430 printer, Seagate ST-251 hard disk. I also have an 8087 math co-processor. (I forgot, the HX does not accept a math coprocessor. The SL can use an 8087, the TL an 80287.) I've run everything from Windows, AutoCad, GenericCADD, Lotus 1-2-3, Flight Simulator, ProcommPlus, and have never run into a compatibility problem. I am also running MS-DOS 3.3. ( I hope to get a copy of 4.01 soon.) > >I'm telling ya, its easier buying a car than shopping for a reliable >computer! Wait until you go to buy software! I can never make up my mind just what I want to buy. I want it all!!! :-) > >Thanks on advance, ^^ ??? Your Welcome >-- > Charles D. Lembach > University of Wisconsin -Milwaukee > Internet: chaz@csd4.milw.wisc.edu > "Ack, pfffft!" killer!igloo!andyross, andyross@igloo.UUCP, andyross@ddsw1.MCS.COM (I'm too lazy to make up a .sig file.)