Re: The Apple ][ was cool!

[Roy Miller <millers@inebraska.com>]

Rubywand wrote:

> Jeff Thomas writes ...
> >
> > I don�t want to get into the argument over which computer is best or
> > worse during the 1980s because every computer had strengths and
> > weaknesses. But merely reflect my personal opinions on the matter.
> >
> > If I must chose a contender for the worse computer of the 1980s, it
> > would be the �IBM PC�. Reason�s being: poor graphics (Hercules
> > [2-colours B&W], CGA (the best available by 1987, 4-colours]).  Awful
> > Sound, internal speaker worse than an Apple II (Sound cards, never took
> > off till the early 1990s starting with �Adlib�). A rugged metal case
> > (weighing a ton) - taking up lots of desk space. Noisy power supplies
> > with fans. Clones were �unreliable� and �incompatible�. The first
> > software written were knock-offs of Apple II software.
> >
>
>      The early PC's were, indeed, crude machines. However, thanks to cloners,
> this situation changed fairly rapidly. By 1989 you had games using 256-color
> VGA displays and AdLib sound.

Actually, it wasn't the cloners, it was IBM itself. The CGA was out in 81-82,
EGA (640x350 16 out of 64 colors) was out in 84, and VGA came out in 87. All
released by Big Blue. As for sound, IBM again lead the way (sorta) with the
Junior, which had three voice music and a "white noise" generator. Not great,
but better than the PC or the class of 76 sound of the II.

> And, unlike most other personal computers, the
> PC virtually always came with a hard drive.

That started with the XT in 1983. 10 meg standard equipment.

I totally agree with the rest that you said.

Roy