wg@aluxp.UUCP (gieske) (09/03/85)
I am considering buying a Commodore 128 to replace my aging C64. I understand that all C64 software will run on the C128. I also like the fact that the C128 has 80 columns. How does this affect C64 40 column oriented software, such as Easyscript? You can set Easyscript to be 80 columns for screen display, but will they actually map to the video? Other comments? What about disk compatibility between the two, i.e. moving files from the C64 to the C128? Can I easily use my old printer? Thanks in advance! Bill Gieske AT&T-BL AL X5137
sct@lanl.ARPA (09/04/85)
> I am considering buying a Commodore 128 to replace my aging C64. I > understand that all C64 software will run on the C128. I also like the > fact that the C128 has 80 columns. How does this affect C64 40 column oriented > software, such as Easyscript? You can set Easyscript to be 80 columns for > screen display, but will they actually map to the video? Other comments? We had a demo of the C128 and the Amiga on August 21st and from that I think I can answer some of your questions on the C128. The 80 column mode is used for text only. It also requires the C128 to use the new 8510 processor and not the 6510 (C64). Because of this I doubt that the 80 column mode will work with Easyscript, Speedscript, or any other word processor written for the C64. All C64 peripherals should work with the C128 including printers and the infamous 1541. This is true even in the C128 mode. However, in CP/M mode the 1541 will only work with C64 formatted CPM disks. For true CPM compatibility (with 5 1/4 disks) you must get the new 1571 drive. The 1541 will still be slow with the C128; the 1571 is faster. The bottom line is that you can run Easyscript on the C128 but only in the C64 mode.
pjm@spuxll.UUCP (PJ Maioriello) (09/04/85)
Have some 128 info: Yes all the c64 software AND peripherals I have tried so far run perfectly on the c128 in 64 mode. The c64 40 column oriented software works in 64 mode exactly as it does on a "real" 64. It uses the same composite output and will work exactly the same way. Programs that scrolled horizontally on a 64 will do so on the 64 side of the 128. To keep from belaboring the point I will simply say that the 128 in 64 mode IS a 64. The only difference may be in the way of improvements. Ie: no sparke, updated ROMs etc. Some programs actully "look" better running on the 64 side of the 128 (boy I need a better way to desribe that) than they do on a 64. Disk compatibility between the 64 and 128 is no problem. They can read each others disks just fine. I dont even know who formatted what disks. I also use the same 1526 printer in the 128 that I had on the 64. Now since the original article asked for comments; here's my $.02 worth: This is probably the best product Commodore has every made, except for maybe the Amiga. Most of what they say about it really is true. At $300 I think it is an incredible bargain. Paul Maioriello spuxll!pjm
slb@bnl44.UUCP (Sanford L. Barr @ Brookhaven National Labs. Long Island, N.Y.) (09/09/85)
In C-64 mode the C-128 is in essence a C-64. You can no longer
use 80 cols. or any of the other enhancments of the 128 mode. Everything
you have for the 64 will behave exactly as it did .. nothing more
nothing less. (Even the numeric keypad on the 128 is shut off during
operation in 64 mode).
As for printers and the sort, you should find no problems
hooking your current 64 periphs to the 128.
In all honesty I'd save my money and wait for the Amiga to be
introduced (and wait a bit after that for OS updates). I own the 128
presently and I'm not too impressed by it. (Especially trying to run
CP/M 3.0 on a blasted 1541!).
--
Sanford L. Barr
Famous designer of the Write Only Memory.
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