mike@mfgfoc.UUCP (Mike Thompson) (08/13/88)
I am currently thinking of replacing my IBM/XT with a new machine
in the $2000 price range. I have narrowed my decision to an IBM
AT clone or an AT&T 3B1 (2meg, 67meg HD, MS-DOS add in board).
I am considering the UNIX PC since I am now doing systems level
UNIX programming at work and would like a machine that I could
prototype code on at home.
What I would like to know from any of you who would like to volunteer
some information or opinions, is the 3B1 Unix PC a resonable alternative
to an AT clone considering that AT&T has recently stopped producing them?
My concerns are along the following lines:
1. What is AT&T's official policy towards hardware and software support
of the 3B1?
2. Are there many programs available for the 3B1 tailored for its
graphical windowing environment?
3. Would I be better off trying to run SCO Xenix or Microport on an
AT compatible?
4. Is the conversion of software hard or dificult to the flavor of Unix
on the 3B1?
5. How robust is the hardware and software on the 3B1? In other words,
would I be buying a headache?
6. Is there anyone in the S.F. Bay Area who would like to sell a 3B1 in
the above or simular configuration for under the $2000 that I was
quoted.
I would be most grateful for any of your thoughts since I am unfamilar with
the 3B1 except for what I have read in this news group over the last month.
Thanks,
Mike Thompsonostroff@oswego.Oswego.EDU (Boyd Ostroff) (08/14/88)
In article <397@mfgfoc.UUCP> mike@mfgfoc.UUCP (Mike Thompson) writes: >What I would like to know from any of you who would like to volunteer >some information or opinions, is the 3B1 Unix PC a resonable alternative >to an AT clone considering that AT&T has recently stopped producing them? > I'll take a stab at a few of your questions.... >1. What is AT&T's official policy towards hardware and software support > of the 3B1? Don't know about hardware (it is supported, but I understand that a motherboard replacement is ~$2000!), but software updates have been made available for the asking, and very promptly in my case. I seriously doubt that you will see any NEW releases of the system software from AT&T, but they do seem to be responding to bug reports in the current version (at least the major ones). >4. Is the conversion of software hard or dificult to the flavor of Unix > on the 3B1? It passes the SVVS for SVR2, although there are about 10 pages of diffs in the front of the manual....Everything I've taken from comp.sources.unix has compiled with very little trouble, including RN and USENET 2.11. >5. How robust is the hardware and software on the 3B1? In other words, > would I be buying a headache? I'm quite pleased with mine. The uucico supplied with version 3.51 caused random crashes, but this has been greatly improved by the 3.51a fixes and I understand that 3.51b is forthcoming. I bought mine at the "fire sale" last fall for about $2100 (2MB RAM, 67 MB disk, development set). From what I've read, they aren't available new in this configuration anymore - think you'll have to get a used one or buy a smaller disk/RAM configuration and upgrade it yourself. The way I look at it, my machine serves my needs quite nicely and I don't think I could have even come close to its power/functionality for even *twice* that price (for a NEW system, that is). However, I realize that I bought an "orphan" :-( and am not willing to put very much additional $ into it, unless its something that can also work with another system (the recently announced third party SCSI board might provide such a capability). Anyway, there are LOTS of 3B1's/7300's out there and one of the biggest plusses to owning one are the many helpful people out there on the net (-: thanks guys :-) ....you certainly will be in good company if you get one! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: Boyd Ostroff, Technical Director :: System Operator, "The CallBoard" :: Department of Theatre, SUNY Oswego :: - Serving the performing arts - :: Internet: ostroff@oswego.Oswego.EDU :: (315) 947-6414, 300/1200 baud, 8N1 :: Voice: (315) 341-2987 :: UUCP ...sunybcs!oswego!cboard!ostroff :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::