Re: GS memory expansion

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector) wrote:

>Supertimer wrote:
>
>>If the total comes out to 1MB (ROM 1 unit), then better ditch
>>the card 'cause the IIGS NEEDs 4MB at least to do stuff you would expect
>>a computer to do.
>
>    Actually 1.25 MB will run 99% of the Apple IIgs software out there,
>and completely suitable to someone purchasing the machine to just play
>games, demos, educational software or even to just explore the system.

I don't know about 99%.  60% of all IIGS titles ever written,
maybe, but how many of those titles are still available?  Of
the ones that ARE available, I think probably at least 90%
WILL NOT work with anything less than 2MB.

Even the old demos don't all work with 1.25MB.  Have you
ever tried running Delta Demo with no RAM card on a
ROM 3 unit?  It freezes during the 3d apple.

>    More than that only becomes essential if you plan on using the
>machine as a serious tool. For example, if your going to use it for
>word processing with TrueType fonts, or desktop publishing, graphic
>design and complex animation, editing digital sound, etc.

Or playing games.  1.25MB won't run Wolf 3D.  It won't
run Out of this World.  It won't run any game that needs
GS/OS.

>I'm not disputing extra memory is required (I'm the
>one who's always said you need memory, speed and mass storage to
>make the IIgs a true "GS") but for a hobbiest, beginnier or even
>a collector who likes to tinker/explore, an Apple IIgs with 1 MB
>is still passable. At least it's a start, _not_ a dead-end until
>you add more memory.

I agree that it is a good start, especially for a ROM 3 because
1MB expansion plus 1MB built in = 2MB which WILL run
most of the stuff available today.  I still feel 1.25MB won't cut
it for most of the stuff CURRENTLY AVAILABLE that's
GS specific.

>>If you do have a ROM 1 unit, go to http://www.allelec.com/ Alltech
>>Electronics and order a Sirius RAM card.  The Sirius card maxes out at
>>8MB and takes 30 pin 1MB SIMMs.  Probably a good idea even if you
>>have a ROM 3 'cause anything less than 4MB is iffy for a IIGS.
>
>    Yep. Both my Apple IIgs's have 4 MB cards installed, since I
>like to get the most out of the systems. Adding an accelerator
>and hardrive also drastically help towards making it a usable
>system (though as mentioned above, you can still make use of
>any IIgs you may came across with only 1 MB installed; no need
>for anyone to think it is useless without 4 megabytes).

I agree.  And I did not mean to imply 1MB IIGS are useless
at 1MB.  However, I still believe that with the software that's
available today, a 1MB unit is only going to be a "poweruser's"
IIe.  You can't run the most basic of IIGS software, synthLAB.
It won't run on a ROM 3 without more memory.