Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!stjhmc!f14.n114.z1.fidonet.org!Leo.Bores From: Leo.Bores@f14.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Leo Bores) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware Subject: Buying a new system - request advice Message-ID: <13529.25E9ED14@stjhmc.fidonet.org> Date: 27 Feb 90 02:49:28 GMT Sender: ufgate@stjhmc.fidonet.org (newsout1.26) Organization: FidoNet node 1:114/14 - Eye Net, Scottsdale AZ Lines: 77 In an article of <20 Feb 90 22:50:51 GMT>, dresnick@athena.mit.edu (David I Resnick) writes: DI>1) CPU DI> Obvious first question: should I buy a IIcx or a IIci? I have DI>used a IIcx, but not a IIci. Those of you who have used both, how DI>noticable is the difference in speed in everyday use? The price DI>difference is fairly substantial. At MIT, a stripped IIcx is $2995 + DI>tx, while a IIci runs for $4185 + tx. Is there a cheaper source for DI>these CPUs? DI> Unless you feel the "need for speed", I'd go with the IIcx. Except for some types of number crunching, you won't really save that much time. Also - the IIci is having problems with some software and others won't run on it - yet. What constitutes "enough speed" anyway? DI>2) Memory DI> I think that 5MB is about right. What is the best source for DI>memory? I have never installed a SIMM, how tough is it? (I have DI>installed a MacSnap board on my 512e, is it easier/harder than this DI>task?) Does self-installation void the warantee? DI> 5 megs is plenty - any second source of 100 ns memory should do (typically $85/meg). It's VERY easy to install. DI>3) Display DI> I have been working with the apple 13 inch color display, DI>and think that it is suitable for my needs. However it IS quite DI>expensive. It also has Apples foolish 90 day warrantee - how likely DI>are monitors to break after the first 90 days? How do the third party DI>monitors of a similar size compare in picture quality (I know that DI>they are substantially cheaper). Any suggestions on alternatives to DI>these displays? I use and am happy with the Magnavox Multisync 13" at about $550 discounted. DI> How slow is the IIci when driving a 13 inch display with its built DI>in card in 1 and 8 bit modes? What are the relative merits of apple DI>and 3rd party cards (no, I don't think that I need 24 bits at this DI>time)? DI> For 24 bit - you are better off with the RasterOps 264 (Apple doesn't have a 24 bit yet - I don't believe). DI>4) Hard Drive DI> I currently have an external Supermac Dataframe XP30, which I DI>suppose that I could continue to use (haven't filled it yet). I seem DI>to recall that different interleafing is recommended for the Mac Plus DI>and II series hard drives - how does this work (I know little about DI>hard drives, is the interleaf specified in the format or is it DI>hardwired?) How much difference in system performance would it make DI>to get a faster internal drive? DI> The interleave is 1:1 on the MacII and (I think) 1:3 on the Plus. I would reccomend any of the 45 meg. cartridge drives. DI>5. Keyboard DI> I am presently using and happy with my datadesk 101. Unfortunatly DI>it is not an ADB device. Is there any way to convert it to one? If DI>not, what do people recommend? I haven't used the apple extended DI>keyboard, is it worth an extra $40 (not to mention the fact that the DI>datadesk has a 2 year warrantee...) DI> The Apple extended keyboard is okay. may be a little more expensive that others but not that much - I'd go with it. Leo Bores -- Uucp: ...{gatech,ames,rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!14!Leo.Bores Internet: Leo.Bores@f14.n114.z1.fidonet.org