A Burr Under His Saddle!

[news@serval.net.wsu.edu (USENET News System)]

Whew, here's what Nathan Raymond posted:


>Bottom line: if you buy an IBM or compatible now, you'll be making a big
>mistake - have fun trying to upgrade one of those things!  Native PowerPC
>applications will run between 3 and 5 times faster than the fastest Macs
>and IBMs today.  If you need, a computer now, buy the right Mac and
>upgrade.  Otherwise, wait.  What'd I do?  I went from my //c of 8 years
>(paid $2400 then) to a IIvx 4/80, with 14" color monitor, all new, for
>$900 at the Apple auction.  I plan to upgrade to an Apple PowerPC 604
>based system in late '94 for about $1500.  (I might actually save money
>this way).
>
>Anyway, I don't like IBMs or compatibles: my experiences over the past
>four years (VERY extensive) have been less then thrilling (I've had to
>help more than one person out of a tough spot, and solving IBM and
>compatible problems I found to be many times harder then Mac problems -
>try installing several cards into an IBM on a network, a Mac on a network,
>and see which one actually operates!).
>
>Any questions?

Ouch.  This sounds like someone has had a poor first impression of the IBM world.
Granted, the PowerPC sounds absolutely wonderful, but, so did the Pentium when it
was first coming out.  DOOM, put out by id Software, was though to run quite well
on a standard 486DX-33, with somewhere around 30 frames per second.  That really
changed from the final product!  I have a DX50 Local Bus, and it isn't anywhere
as smooth as originally advertised.  Don't be too certain that this IBM and MAC
emulator for the PowerPC will be 100% compatible and 100% efficient as a DX/33. 
Also, anymore, a DX-33 is fair to middlin'.  Here's my point:

1)  If you're in the market to upgrade immediately, and, you want to run some of 
    the most commonplace software -- purchase a 80486DX2/66 with VESA Local Bus. 
    The performance from local bus helps compensate for a slower processor, plus,
    a person can easily expand an IBM to their future needs.  Also, when you 
    purchase your new machine don't just try to 'preserve' you're old software.
    I made every attempt to find an Apple //e emulator for my IBM, and, I have 
    come quite close to achieving complete II+ emulation.  Nonetheless, the older
    software tends to be obsolete and the chances are pretty good that if this
    particular piece of software is truly important then someone
    has written it or will soon write the software for the newer platform.

2)  Decide what you will really use the computer for...solely business then choose
    a high powered Macintosh or the mentioned above.  Also, don't hold out for the
    soon to be released machine, or, you may find that it wasn't what you
    expected and you'll be back to square one.  Be sure that you truly need all 
    that 'power'.  I am quite satisfied with my machine, even though it is not the
    musclely Pentium or PowerPC processor.  Make sure to purchase what you will
    use!  If you don't know what EISA is, then, don't get it!  Do make certain
    that if you choose an IBM, sink the money into a DX2/66 Vesa Local Bus.  I
    have personally seen the performance between Local Bus versions of the DX/33,
    DX/50, and the DX2/66.  There is a huge gap between all of these machines.  
    I recommend that you _don't_ sell yourself short just because of monetary
    constraints.  And don't purchase a DX/50 VESA Local Bus.
    If you are looking for Desktop publishing then look toward the Macintosh.
    If you are looking for a game machine with style ... DX2/66 VESA Local Bus.


   I grew up using the Apple //e for everything.  It worked great until
Publish-It! came out from TimeWorks Software.  Right then and there it became 
relatively obvious that the standard Apple //e just couldn't cut the mustard any
longer.  For one year I looked about, taking recommendations from a variety of
individuals and exclusively pricing Apple Macintosh systems (particularly the LC
with a //e card).  Macintosh systems were _very_ pricey at that time and were
just out of reach.  My DX/50 EISA Local Bus was far from becoming a possibility. 
Nonetheless, I truly loved the Macintosh systems, so, I would wait until the
prices lowered reasonably.  Anyway, I eventually gained exposure to the IBM world
and found, that, the IBM had a TEXT ONLY mode!  Growing up the Apple //e provided
a hostile environment suitable for hackers.  The IBM also provides this
expandable hacker atmosphere.  
  I must admit, I appear to be Pro-IBM in this context, and rightfully so, but, I
don't wish to discourage _any_ immediate future computer purchaser from walking
down the road to Macintosh.  You _must_ decide what you will use the compute for,
then, make your purchase.  Also, gain exposure to _every_ computing environment
available to you at the time.  I waited one year, and, in that one year I changed
from hard core Macintosh/Apple II to an avid IBM user/supporter, with a keen
liking for Macintosh.  Just because you use one platform specifically doesn't
mean you can't get accustomed to another.

Also, if you choose IBM, remember that the successfullness of the Pentium also
means the price drop on the 486DX2/66 systems!  I don't know whether the PowerPC
will push down the price of the Macintosh systems.  Will it?  Wait at least until
you have had significant exposure to a variety of systems.  After you purchase the
system, remember, something better will always come out...be satisfied with what
you have purchased!

I really hope this helps.  Enjoy your new system, whatever it may be.

Michael Kelsey
mkelsey@eecs.wsu.edu
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