[net.micro.pc] PC versus DisplayWriter

rdt@houxk.UUCP (R.TRAUBEN) (05/25/84)

what is the difference between an IBMPC and and IBMDisplay writer?
in particular:
	1. cost
	2. execution rate
	3. native cpu
	4. amount main memory
	5. amount disk (floppy or hard)
	6. operating system
	7. inter-PC or inter-DisplayWriter communications
	  (is there rs232, proprietary LAN)
	8. are they object code compatible? 
	9. can they talk to each other?

since i tend to follow only the vax class of computers,
i am pretty niave about the "low"-end of the IBM line.

i was asked by my fiance's boss and had to admit my ignorance.
i would like to get back to him. their application is primarily
inter-city database and mail for the appeals level of the 
state court system. the database is LEXUS. 


is one a clear winner over the other??
my gut feeling is that both are insufficient to meet their needs.
i would like to hear from some people more knowledge-able than
myself on these lowend machines' characteristics.

richard
trauben

dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (05/30/84)

The IBM Displaywriter is an older product than the PC.  It is based on the
Intel 8086 (versus the 8088 in the PC).  It costs more, comes with better
support from IBM, and can do little other than word process without going
through cans of worms.

My recommendation is to buy an IBM PC and save mucho bucks.  If you like the
Displaywriter's excellent WP software, it's now available from IBM for
the PC at a reasonable price.  The product is caled Displaywrite 2,
I think.  This is equivalent to the Displaywriter's excellent Textpack 4.
However, it does not offer the features of Textpack 6 (footnote placement
and the like).  For most offices, Displaywrite 2 is adequate.

If you need the extras, other non-IBM WP packages offer them.
I've heard very good things about Word Prefect, for example.
Final Word is also quite nice, albeit not perfect.

Rumor has it IBM intends to discontinue the Displaywriter.

The only argument against the PC is a lousier keyboard and less available
training and support that the Displaywriter.

Hope this helps...

D Gary Grady
Duke University Computation Center, Durham, NC  27706
(919) 684-4146
USENET:  {decvax,ihnp4,akgua,etc.}!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary

dmimi@ecsvax.UUCP (06/02/84)

I have used a number of different word processors and editers including
the Displaywriter.  It is the most clumsy, slowest, least flexible of any
I've had contact with except cpm's ED.  I am not an IBM-PC user but have
experience with Wordstar, Final Word, WPDAISY ((Anyone remember that one)
and a couple ofothers.

The Displaywriter is slow and buries you in menues.  In addition, you
can defeat the menus only for one time--i.e., you have to reset to no-menu
operation after each menu access.

The Displaywriter is apparently easier to learn at first than some, but for
anyone with previous experience, or anyone who is willing to learn more
as they go along, the Displaywriter is not comfortable or satisfactory.

Mimi