Re: What to do with a IIgs...

[dave@iia.org (Davius Rex)]

bill@booster.u.washington.edu (Bill Whitson) writes:
>I've read that there are different ROM versions on different models of IIgs.
>What is the "best" ROM set.  How can I tell what ROM version a IIgs has?

	If you get a ROM 03, you have a slightly newer machine with more
on-board RAM, but you can't run some of the poorly programmed but cool
older demos.

>How much memory should the system have?  (I plan to add a memory card if it
>doesn't have one but is there a specific amount it should have on board?)

	I have 4MB, and it seems sufficient for all my needs.

>Is there anything to watch out for when buying a IIgs?  I want a system that
>I can upgrade to the "peak" of IIgs performace.  I'll want to add a hard drive,
>more RAM, whatever (this is going to be my fun system - my PC is for work and
>just want another Apple to tinker with :)

	Aha, you're getting a IIgs for the right reason then. Try to get
80MB+ of HD space, a ZipGS accelerator, and a hi-speed modem. Get System
software 6.0.1 and GNO/ME :)

>What is the Zip chip that people talk about?  Is this just an accelerator?  Is
>it reliable?  Most importantly, is it still available?  What sort of speeds can
>be gotten out of it?

	A ZipGS is an accelerator board. I think the stock models come
out-of-the-box ad between 7 and 10MHz, and they can be sped up to 15MHz
sometimes :)

>Are there still places that sell a decent variety of hardware and software for
>the IIgs or am I going to be scrounging for a bunch of used stuff?

	There's a couple mail-order houses around that sell new Apple II
stuff. The monthly software subscription things (GS+, Softdisk GS) are
pretty good sources for useful software, IMHO.

Hope this helps.
Dave
-- 
| Dave J. Roberts      | "My programs are fast, stable, and easy to use." |
| EMail: dave@iia.org  | "Well, none out of three ain't bad."             |
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