Xref: utzoo comp.unix.i386:1969 comp.unix.xenix:9185
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!samsung!sol!emory!arasmith
From: arasmith@mathcs.emory.edu (David Arasmith)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.i386,comp.unix.xenix
Subject: Some really easy questions (batteries not included)
Keywords: RAM, DOS emulation, other junk
Message-ID: <4792@emory.mathcs.emory.edu>
Date: 24 Dec 89 18:02:19 GMT
Followup-To: arasmith@mathcs.emory.edu
Organization: Math & Computer Science, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Lines: 39


Please excuse the ignorance in the following paragraphs, but (isn't there
always a 'but') I would like to get some information on running some
brand of UNIX on a 386 machine.  I am currently running Sys V on a
68010 unixpc (AT&T) for my home machine.  My reasons for floating 
over to intel's architecture are:

	1) Less expensive hardware and currently supported (the unixpc is
	     no longer supported and I am loathe to upgrade a dinosaur).

	2) Compatibility with the TONS of DOS software, a real benefit for
	     my family (who are interested in ease rather than flexibility).

My expectations for a machine are 20Mhz 386, 2M RAM, moderate sized hard-disk
(cache??), VGA, etc.

This will be a personal machine, for the most part, since Suns dominate my
work place.  My concerns are as follows:

	1) Is 2M going to be sufficient RAM to run some flavor of UNIX
	     with the expectation that it will not be loaded with users?

	2) Will the lack of a RAM cache severely cripple me?

	3) Are the DOS emulators out there reasonably robust?  Also,
	     are they reasonably cheap?

	4) Am I going to be sorely dissappointed after working on Sun's all day?

Please respond via e-mail, since I'm sure very few other's will be interested
in this level of information.  Any other information would be appreciated, i.e.
remarks about X windows, NFS, text formatters ([nt]roff, TeX, etc).

Thanks much!
-- 
David M. Arasmith   |  arasmith@mathcs.emory.edu	        Internet
Emory University    |  {sun!sunatl,gatech}!emory!arasmith	UUCP
Dept of Math and CS |  
Atlanta, GA 30322   |  I should be working!  Gee....I wonder what's on TV?