davidbrierley@LYNX.NORTHEASTERN.EDU (01/15/89)
I've owned a Laser 128 for over a year now and everything I consider
significant (Appleworks, Print Shop, Newsroom, etc.) runs just fine on it.
Occassionally something won't work on it (usually a game), but the Laser
is about 95-97% Apple compatible. When you get a Laser you also receive a
list of software that is compatible with it, anything not on that list
either doesn't work or hasn't been tested yet. You can probably get a list
before buying a Laser by writing or calling to the technical support staff at
Laser (that info has been posted recently in info-apple).
As for hitches, I bought my Laser at Sears and they accidentally gave
me a used one (which was supposed to be sent back for servicing). They gave
me a new one, but a power surge overloaded a chip. Sears replaced the model
again at no cost (since it was still under the 90 day warranty) and I have hadno pr
no problems since. I recommend buying your model from Sears (unfortunately
they only sell the 128, not the 128EX or the 128EX/2) because they will
replace the machine immediately if it is defective and they offer a service
contract when the warranty expires. Lechmere (if you have one in your area)
also sells the Laser 128. If you wish to buy a 128 EX or a 128 EX/2 you can
get them for $450 through mail from Silicon Express (ads are in Apple
magazines).
For printers, I use a Star Micronics NX-10 (B/W - dot matrix) and there
are no problems. I don't know about color printers, but I would expect they
work just fine. You could write to Laser about that as well.
A final note, if you are not sure particular software works on the
Laser you could try writing Laser and/or the software manufacturer. Software
companies are now starting to place Laser compatibility on their labels.
Good luck.
David R. Brierley
Internet: davidbrierley@lynx.northeastern.eduSEWALL@UCONNVM.BITNET (Murph Sewall) (01/15/89)
>no problems since. I recommend buying your model from Sears (unfortunately >they only sell the 128, not the 128EX or the 128EX/2) because they will >replace the machine immediately if it is defective and they offer a service >contract when the warranty expires. Lechmere (if you have one in your area) >also sells the Laser 128. If you wish to buy a 128 EX or a 128 EX/2 you can >get them for $450 through mail from Silicon Express (ads are in Apple >magazines). I recommend you AVOID buying ANY APPLIANCE at Sears!!! Even their own employees rate Sear's repair service as ABYSMAL!!!! A micro computer will only be in warranty for 90 days; failures are reasonably uncommon; and almost any reputable source will do a straight swap for a new machine in the first two weeks or so (often the first 30 days). Also, I recall someone posting an item about a year ago that said the Laser 128's sold by Sears are made under a separate contract and the motherboards aren't compatible (won't cross reference) anyway with those in other Laser's (there's NO difference executing software; what it means is ONLY Sears can repair one of their Laser's so if there ever is a problem your stuck with their fifth rate repair service -- their VCR's have the same problem and Sear's will not help out independent repair operations by supplying parts or cross references to parts). IBM recommends setting up their new computers, turning them on and leaving them on for 3 days (if they're still working after 3 days, they're probably alright). I recommend leaving a new computer on for the first 30 days, then turning it off and on freuqently (every time you save and cease work for awhile) for the next 30 days, then leaving them on most of the time (we find the batteries in IBM's PS/2's rather flaky so we leave the CPU's on all the time -- holidays, weekends, whatever -- we rarely have a problem). Apple's and Laser's are older, more stable technology that is likely to hold up better than newer stuff like PS/2's. Service contracts for micro computers generally are in the vendors best interest (including AppleCare). Unless you're a business that needs on-site when down equipment means lost productivity worth more than the service contract, don't bother with a service contract. A writer in a local newspaper said if a personal computer is left on for 30 days (along with being used) and is still working at the end of that period, it's expected time to failure is several millenia (that's an exaggeration, of course, but you are likely to save enough on service contracts to buy a replacement Laser 128 by the time the original needs out-of-warranty repair). Look around for good mail order deal, or buy from Central Point (they too are VERY good about warranty service). Murph Sewall Vaporware? ---> [Gary Larson returns 1/1/90] Prof. of Marketing Sewall@UConnVM.BITNET Business School sewall%uconnvm.bitnet@mitvma.mit.edu [INTERNET] U of Connecticut {psuvax1 or mcvax }!UCONNVM.BITNET!SEWALL [UUCP] -+- I don't speak for my employer, though I frequently wish that I could (subject to change without notice; void where prohibited) According to the American Facsimile Association, more than half the calls from Japan to the U.S. are fax calls. FAX it to me at: 1-203-486-5246