DENNETT%SRI-NIC@sri-unix.UUCP (01/11/84)
From: Steve Dennett <DENNETT@SRI-NIC> I recently visited two local computer stores to examine the Sanyo MBC 550/555 IBM PC compatible. Here's what I was told: CPU - Intel 8088 running at 3.6 MHz RAM - 128K std., expandable to 256K DOS - MS-DOS 1.25 printer - parallel printer port Disks - 1 or 2 160K drives std. 320K & 640K optional Software -Wordstar, spreadsheet, Sanyo color graphic Basic utilities, included. Options - monochrome or RGB monitor, 8087, joysticks, RS232 port List prices are: MBC 550 (1-160K drive)..........$ 999 MBC 555 (2-160K drives).........$1394 As to the question of compatibility, the dealers claim (caveat emptor) it will run 85% - 90% of IBM software. However, it' graphics are NOT IBM color graphics compatible. Also, it has NO expansion slots. IBM PC COMPATIBILITY With the plethora of PC compatibles coming out, it would be handy to have an easy way to test for IBM compatibility. Perhaps one of you ingeneous programmers could devise a "Compatibility Diagnostic Program" that would run a series of operations to test a machine's compatibility, starting with basic reading and writing of data, and working up through color graphics. It might even include some routines that shouldn't work because the compatible lacks the IBM ROM. Like the standard diagnostic disk, it could report to the user as a machine succeeded or failed each type of test. If you do write such a program, be sure to pass it on the the library! Steve Dennett SRI -------