jon@chiron.UUCP (Jon L. Griffeth) (11/02/88)
I've a question concerning the PS/2 Model 30. A friend of mine is thinking of purchasing one for his family. However, I have recently heard that the Model 30 had problems and that IBM has stopped making them (their being replaced by the Model 35?). Does anyone know more about this? Could you suggestion a good computer for family use at a reasonable price? Thanks, Jon L. Griffeth jon@chiron.UUCP
spolsky-joel@CS.YALE.EDU (Joel Spolsky) (11/04/88)
In article <164@chiron.UUCP> jon@chiron.UUCP (Jon L. Griffeth) writes: > >I've a question concerning the PS/2 Model 30. A friend of mine >is thinking of purchasing one for his family. However, I have >recently heard that the Model 30 had problems and that IBM has >stopped making them (their being replaced by the Model 35?). I have a model 30 and am not aware of any problems with it. The new IBM model is called the 30-286. It's a significant improvement on the old model 30: Model 30 Model 30-286 MCGA VGA not-so-standard truly cool graphics graphics 720K floppies 1440K floppies PC Bus AT Bus 8086 CPU 80286 CPU >Does anyone know more about this? Could you suggestion a good >computer for family use at a reasonable price? What I love about the (old) model 30: - brilliant keyboard, if you have the TSR necessary to move the CapsLock out of the way. (I'll mail this to anyone who requests it.) Excellent, tactile feedback, numeric keypad AND cursor control keys, 12 function keys across the top, escape key where it belongs, cursor keys in reverse T... I love this keyboard. - beautiful black and white monochrome monitor. - very compatable. Also seems very reliable - never crashes for unexplained reasons. What I hate about the model 30: - if you want to add a hard disk, you have to buy either the official IBM upgrade or buy a hardcard. Standard third-party disks don't fit in the 3.5" slots. - if you want to add a 5.25" floppy, you lose one of the 3.5" floppies (a maximum of 2 floppies of any size is supported). - the battery for the clock runs out after about a year, and it's soldered in place. bah humbug. When this battery runs out every time you turn the damn thing on you get a cute message that the date needs to be set, and your computer won't boot until you hit F1. Minor irritant. - Price. IBM's prices are exhorbant compared to most clones. I got mine at the student discount which made it competitive. I have nothing whatsoever to do with IBM and this does not constitute an endorsement, in any way, of their products. >Thanks, >Jon L. Griffeth >jon@chiron.UUCP +----------------+---------------------------------------------------+ | Joel Spolsky | bitnet: spolsky@yalecs uucp: ...!yale!spolsky | | | arpa: spolsky@yale.edu voicenet: 203-436-1483 | +----------------+---------------------------------------------------+ #include <disclaimer.h>
driesb@neabbs.UUCP (DRIES BESSELS) (11/05/88)
Hi Jon, ref the model 30 I think it is a good machine, We use them a lot within our company and without problems. Basically, it is just an upgraded IBM XT nut it does it goood.... As for the type of machine, I think you could buy a clone AT for the same price as this brand XT. Worth thinking about? BCNU Dries Bessels Amsterdam, Holland