Re: More PCT questions...

[spector@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article luigi@ace.com (Luigi) writes...
> 
>About PC Transport for the Apple II family...
> 
>A> Does it require a GS? (No problem for me, I have one <grin>)

	No, although an Apple IIgs is certainly more suitable. Most GSes
include an RGB monitor, 3.5 drive, serial ports, mouse and numeric keypad,
all of which are useful in IBM-mode. One can also use the PC-Transporter
within an Apple IIe or Apple II Plus, though some add-on accessories will
be required (in the case of the ][ Plus, an IBM 101-keyboard is a must).

>B> About how much $$ is it and where can I get one?

	Applied Engineering is no longer in business, though you may be
able to find back stock at vendors such as LRO, Sherves, Sun Remarketing,
or Alltech Electronics either new or used. Prices will vary, but certainly
cheaper than what AE used to charge. Your best bet is searching through
comp.sys.apple2.marketplace for a second-hand PCT card. Average asking 
price is somewhere between $50-$125.

>C> Most importantly: how fast an IBM does it emulate??? Does it include
>   a co-proccessor to speed it up or does it run at 8088 speed?

	The AE PCT uses a NEC V30 processor (8086/80186 clone) that
runs about 7-8 MHz. It's a bit faster than most 8088 and 8086 PC/XT
clones out there, but don't expect anything even close to today's
486/Pentinum machines for speed! ;-) The PCT came with no co-processor,
but had an empty socket to add your own 8087 math co-processor. So
basically it gives you a semi-fast 8086 (with a bit of 186 instructions),
color CGA graphics/ANSI text and 768k RAM (although only 640k is available
in IBM mode I believe). The only reason I'd want one is for true color ANSI
and VT-100 (bold, blink, underline) but I think I'll wait for ProTERM or
TCII with Second Sight support... :)

>Thanks...
>-Luigi (Tim)

Mitchell Spector
m_spect@pavo.concordia.ca / spector@vax2.concordia.ca