Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!helios.physics.utoronto.ca!ists!yunexus!maccs!cs4g6ag
From: cs4g6ag@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca (Stephen M. Dunn)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Need suggestions for PC system for Engineering student.
Keywords: system 386sx 286 request engineer compatibility clone
Message-ID: <25EB37D7.26293@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca>
Date: 28 Feb 90 02:30:47 GMT
References: <32379@auc.UUCP>
Reply-To: cs4g6ag@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca (Stephen M. Dunn)
Organization: McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
Lines: 36

In article <32379@auc.UUCP> rar@auc.UUCP (Rodney Ricks) writes:
$   Approx. 1 Mb. RAM

   Make sure that you can use the excess RAM how _you_ want to use it - that
is, that you can select it to be expanded or shadow RAM.  The EMS part
isn't as important on a 386, since it can do expanded memory through
software only, but if you get a 386, try to get an extended-expanded
mapping driver with the machine.  And if you get a 286, make sure you
get the EMS driver for that motherboard!

$   Math coprocessor slot

   Virtually all, if not all, motherboards for 286 or better machines
come with this ... in fact, the same applies these days for 8088-based
boards too.

$She wants to be able to run Lotus 123, WordPerfect 5.x, Autocad, and
$Autocad Animator on the system.   Since she wants to run Autocad, and since
$I don't want her to end up with a system that will be obsolete a year from now,
$I was wondering about the 386sx systems.  (Please, no flames from 286
$advocates.  Information, yes, but no flames)

   Well, a 16 MHz 386SX is definitely better than a 12 or 14 MHz 286;
for the applications you mention, a 16 or 20 MHz 286 would likely be better
than a 386SX.

$Since math coprocessors can be quite expensive, she is willing to wait awhile
$before getting one.  She would also like to have a 3 1/2" drive, as they use
$PS/2's (UGH!) at her school.

   I believe that all recent versions of Autocad require a math coprocessor.
-- 
Stephen M. Dunn                               cs4g6ag@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca
          <std_disclaimer.h> = "\nI'm only an undergraduate!!!\n";
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               I Think I'm Going Bald - Caress of Steel, Rush