MEHARP01@ULKYVX.BITNET (02/22/88)
Thanks to all who replied to my query for information on AST Research's
PC clones. It was a big help and it helped me make my decision. I will
be purchasing an AST at some point. Below are some highlights from the
responses I received.
Thanks again to everyone. There's nothing like the net for information.
Michael Harpe, N4PLE
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
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I have a Premium 286 from AST and love it. It is fast and fully compatible.
I'm using an ATI-EGA Wonder Card and a Sony Multiscan 1302. I have the 40Mbyte
disk. It runs almost everything I've tried very quickly.
Dave Forslund
(dwf@lanl.gov)
I use an AST 286 at work and love it. It is an extremely reliable
machine with a well thought our architecture. Memory access is VERY
fast and the hard disk is quite fast also (I have a 40 Meg). The only
disadvantage that I found is the footprint (it is as big as the
original IBM AT), but that is no big deal.
hoctor@osiris
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I have used the AST 286 and 386 and believe they are both VERY good machines.
The 'smartslot' architecture allows multiple processors (like the Micro Channel
Architecture), while keeping the AT standard bus. I found in a previous clients
office (1/3 IBM ATs, 1/3 Compaq, 1/3 AST 286) that the AST was significantly
more reliable than the Compaqs and much closer to the IBM standard in hardware
(Compaq uses proprietary hardware on many components).
The 10Mhz, 0 wait states are not the fastest AT's you'll find (there are a
couple of 16 Mhz machines), but I have found they are equivalent to the 12Mhz
Compaqs because Compaq uses a wait state. Documentation is also a plus.
In short, if you are unable to afford a '386 machine, the AST Premium 286 is
a very good choice.
Regards,
Kurt Arthur
Software Services of Florida, Inc.
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I've been using an AST 286 Premium for about 6 months now...
I use it at home (rather than work), in the evenings (rather than
during the day) - ie., part time - but I've had no problems with
it so far... In fact, to say that I've had no problems is to be
too neutral - I'm _extremely_ happy with the machine!
Comment: it has run all software that I've thrown at it. While I
was researching for what AT to get, I did find out that it will not
run hardware debuggers like Periscope (?).
I got the AST monochrome monitor (hoping to run it in a "monochrome ega"
mode) - this is not supported by their monitor/AST graphics card...
I am having trouble getting DESQVIEW to run in extended memory (I have
1.5 meg on the FastRam card), but I've just started working with the
tech person at the place I bought the computer from...
I like the concept of the FastRam cards, but I'm also looking into the
386 add-in card for the 286 Premium. It drops into one of the two
FastRam slots. I don't know whether the 386 card has any memory or
whether AST is planning on releasing a FastRam card that supports
more than 2M of ram...
Hope this helps.
Bruce W. Mohler
Pacific*Bell
619/586-2902
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Two comments that I forgot in my previous reply to you is that
the only thing I'm dis-satisfied about was MY choice to go with
the 20MB hard disk rather than the 40MB (but this was an economic
decision at the time)...
I tend not to like the AST graphics card as well as, say, a Paradise
auto-sw EGA/VGA card. I tried to get the company I bought from to
sub in a Paradise card for the AST card, but they wouldn't do it.
If I ever switch to VGA, it'll be to a Paradise or Vega card rather
than an AST...
I am planning on getting some type of AST multi-function card to add
the second serial/parallel ports - its just their graphics card that
I think is not significant...
Bruce W. Mohler
Pacific*Bell
619/586-2902
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From: pavlov%hscfvax@husc6.BITNET (G.Pavlov)
We have purchased apx. 8 over the past twelve months, and several more are
on order. I think that they are excellent machines: fast (officially 10 mhz,
but "speed" is actually more like a 12 mhz - separate 32-bit memory bus),
very well-built, no compatibility problems discovered, and you should be able
to get them at a reasonable price (at least 20% discount off list).
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It's a very nice machine. I have used one at work quite a bit. It had a 40 MB
HD on it (not the fastest drive on the market) and it comes standard with a
video card that will do all the basic video modes including EGA. What is nice
about the machine is the FastRam card, that sits in a high speed slot specially
designed to support high speed memory access. It can give you up to 4MB of
very fast memory, almost like a static cache.
My only complaint about the machine is that the hard disk seems not to be all
that fast. I haven't had a chance to play around with interleave or anything
like that so it might be possible to improve it. Don't know.
Having a reset switch on front is nice, too.
Truett Lee Smith, Sunnyvale, CA
UUCP: truett@cup.portal.com
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I've been using an AST-286 for almost 6 months, and am very happy with it. It
usually is on 24 hours a day. the system has a 40 meg hard drive, 1 meg mem,
modem,game port,eprom burner..etc. It is currently under DOS 3.1 (came with the
computer). One problem is that sometimes the keyboard locks up. I pinned it
down to a few keys, when pressed together cause the problem. The only solution
is to turn off the computer with the main switch. Other than that the machine
is excellent. Oh, I did not get the EGA board they usually bundle with it, I
plan to buy my own someday. I would highly recommend the AST (it ain't cheap
tho)
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From: uwvax!ll-xn!ames!sdcsvax!sdcc7.UCSD.EDU!ss60w@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (ss60w)
I purchased an AST Premium/286 in May with a 60M Priam disk
drive and 1.5M of RAM. I am using the memory above 640K for
a disk cache (using VCache software). I have been _very_
happy with this machine. The 10MHz speed and the fast disk
with the cache make it really fly.
I would recommend the Priam disk drive over the
Miniscribe drives that AST supplies with the models 140 and
170. I had a chance to use a 40M Miniscribe when my Priam
drive went down (my dealer gave it to me as a loaner), and
the Miniscribe was definitely slower and noisier than the
Priam. The Priam will cost you maybe $300 more, but I think
it's worth it. I had one fail on me, but it was during the
warranty and the new drive I am running now hasn't given me
any trouble.
AST has an 80386 machine out now, and I've heard good things
about it, but the price/performance ratio is much better on
their 80286 box.
Standard disclaimers apply (this is me talking, not UCSD, and
AST didn't pay me to send this).
--
--Jon Dart phone: (619)-534-4145
Department of Anthropology Usenet: dart@sdcsvax.UCSD.EDU
University of California, San Diego US Mail: UCSD C-001,
La Jolla, CA 92093
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We have 6 of the model 80 AST 286 machines and find them very nice. They have
run everything we've tried so far without problem. They are also fairly fast
(compaired to a standard 8MHz AT). I very much recommend them.
SYSTEM NOTES: Ours are configured with 1Meg of RAM, 40Meg HD (28ms), and the
Vega EGA+ display card with NEC Multi-sync monitor.
Good Luck!
Mark D. Salzman Phone (206) 253-5542. | The more complex the mind,
Tektronix Inc., P.O. Box 3500, M/S C1-937 | the greater the need for
Vancouver, Washington. 98668 | the simplicity of play.
{world_at_large}!tektronix!tekigm2!marks | James T. Kirk
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I have been using an AST 286 for several months and am entirely pleased.
The AST is a well built, solid, well thought out machine, and is FAST.
With the 0 wait state ram system they have, the machine runs at an
equivelent of 12.8Mhz for memory operations.
It's a little more money than an off-shore clone but I think it's
worth it.
Hope this helps.
Michael Ewan decvax----\
(503)627-6468 hplabs------\
sytek@tekgen.TEK.COM ihnp4-------->----!tektronix!tekgen!sytek
ucbvax------/
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Yes! We have a shop full of them, and they're great: fast (10MHZ 0 wait
state), compatible, and quite reliable. Go for it!
---
Mark McWiggins UUCP: uunet!intek01!mark
DISCLAIMER: I could be wrong. INTERNET: mark@intek01.UUCP
(206) 641-5014
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I have one and am *completely* satisfied with it! I'd buy another
in a minute (if I had the money).
Our who organizatio has adopted that machine as our PC of choice.
I like it so well, I ordered their 386 machine as well.
Glenn
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[Editor's note: This next one is the only negative reply I received. Sorry
I lost the name.]
this is a very good solid machine but pricey. there are soooo many AT clones
out there now sooo cheap. Some are american made also: e.g. everex;
any trade weekly carries thousands of ads. computer currents and microtimes
computer shopper etc. DTK the prominent Taiwanese manufacturer makes them
many are made by DTK and Everex and then marketed under another name by
the dealer, e.g. Club AT, SF Micro, Whole Earth etc. Go to a swap meet and
you'll get the best prices, especially around 4:30 on a Sunday when they
are tired, and want to go home without schlepping all that equipment back
to their shops. money talks, nobody walks. believe me I know, I install
them for clients and was the associate sysop of the clone userg group BBS
in SF for a year. AST is a top rate machine but there are good equivalents
much cheaper.
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I've been using a Model 140 for about 4 months now(10 Mhz, 40 Mb disc, 1Mb
RAM). I think it is a terrific machine! Absolutely no problems. Construction
is good, operation is good and reliable. I didn't need to add anything to
the 140 for a complete system. I really can't think of a single negative.
Bob Mosolgo rm@edison.GE.COM
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Yes indeed, it is a nice machine. I worked for Phoenix Tech.
when they designed it, knowing those involved I felt confident it
would be good. It all works as advertized, I have noticed this
though. Running microport with the 3g+ video adapter and a B+W
monitor the console switching doesn't work too well, it works fine
with a ega monitor though. Also the sysreq key is not seen by
microport, but that is OK since alt-F? works the same. I am not sure
whether these are hardware or software bugs, they really haven't
bugged me though. My ega monitor blew out 3 months after I got it, but
it has a year warrenty !!
I am very happy with it, it is weel made and designed, and has
a reputable company to back it up.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask,
Denis
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