czei@cbdkc1.UUCP (12/28/87)
Too be totally honest, I really know nothing about clones, being a Macintosh enthusiast. (Please don't hold that against me) Being unable to persuade my father-in-law to make his next computer purchase a macintosh, I'm trying to make sure he doesn't get ripped off again when he buys a PC clone. (The last computer he bought was an Epson, that WASN'T compatable with ANYTHING, because the salesperson told him there was this REALLY great piece of software that was ALMOST ready that would solve all his problems. He's still waiting). Anyway, he's looking at an XT clone from a local dealer for about ~$2500. Sure, it includes a hard disk, modem, and a monitor, but that doesn't seem like a great deal to me. The dealer is even bundling some 'wonderful, integrated' software to do 'everything he needs'. My father-in-law is an electronic parts salesmen, by the way, but I doubt if software that is bundled with a computer can be that great. I already don't like the salesmen, as when my father-in-law mentioned I had discussed mac's, the guy said "you don't want to buy those- they're unreliable. Why, they freeze up on you at a moments notice. You need a tried and true design like the PC." So, I don't want to argue about which computer is better, I'm just trying to help someone who's been burnt before to steer clear of the rip off's. One of the big arguments I've heard for PC's is that they're so cheap. At $2500 I could get a Macplus, hard disk, modem, and a monitor (ok, so it is small :-) ) for the same price, so where's the bargain? I suspect that the above quote is way overpriced, and most clones are still a bargain compared to the generally more expensive macs. I'd appreciate any help finding a reputable mail order house, or reasonable price ranges for AT or XT clones. Thanks, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Michael S. Czeiszperger | "HELP! I'm stuck in 3B HELL !!!" Contracted to AT&T | Phone: (614) 860-4952 (formerly with Ohio Unix Systems Administration | UUCP: cbosgd!dkc1!czei State University) 6200 E. Broad Street | Disclaimer: "The above opinions are those Columbus, OH RM 1L334 | of a large rodent with sharp teeth" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
romkey@kaos.UUCP (John Romkey) (12/29/87)
In article <2645@cbdkc1.ATT.COM> czei@cbdkc1.UUCP writes: > Anyway, he's looking at an XT clone from a local >dealer for about ~$2500. Sure, it includes a hard disk, modem, and >a monitor, but that doesn't seem like a great deal to me. You're right, it's not. Most of my mail order experience is with SF Micro of San Francisco. They're pretty reliable, they give good service and they sell good equipment for not lots of $$$$. They sell a line of AT clones made by Everex that a lot of mail order houses sell. FTP Software has about 8 or 10 or maybe more, I've lost count, of these things. We haven't had problems very often and when we have, SF Micro has been pretty good about getting it fixed (once or twice they've been a little pokey, but usually they're quite responsive). They sell a PC/AT clone with .5MB of RAM, 1.2MB floppy disk and monochrome monitor for roughly $1000. Add a 40MB hard disk for about $400. Add an internal 2400 baud modem for about $300. The basic computer will be a lot faster than the XT you mentioned, too. They also have quite a variety of display cards, monitors, hard disks, memory boards, etc., so you can put together a more interesting system than the one above if you want. Unfortunately, I don't have their number here at home. I'll try to find it tomorrow and post it. Disclaimer: this is not an endorsement of SF Micro by *FTP Software* (though I personally think they're pretty good), and I have no association with SF Micro other than as a happy customer. -- - john romkey ...harvard!spdcc!kaos!romkey romkey@kaos.uucp romkey@xx.lcs.mit.edu
vandys@hpindda.HP.COM (Andy Valencia) (12/30/87)
/ hpindda:comp.sys.ibm.pc / czei@cbdkc1.UUCP / 5:55 am Dec 28, 1987 / > ...he's looking at an XT clone from a local > dealer for about ~$2500. Sure, it includes a hard disk, modem, and > a monitor, but that doesn't seem like a great deal to me..... It isn't, especially for an XT clone. Unless it's a *humongous* hard disk (say, 10 Mb :->). You also don't mention whether it's color or not, and within that, whether within that, it's EGA or CGA (or autoswitch... and if it's a multi-scan monitor). However, a good base-line "123 engine" should run you about $1K. This should include: "turbo" XT, 4.77/8 Mhz w. 640K and keyboard and 1 360k floppy drive ($400) 20 Mb. Hard disk ($200) Monochrome monitor w. Hercules clone display card ($120) Parallel NLQ printer (printer port should be on display card) ($200) Modem card -- or -- External 2400 baud modem w. COM1 card ($150) This adds up to $1070. Buy out-of-state and save sales tax. I'm pretty sure I'm giving reasonable prices, albeit on the agressive side (but, hey, if you're gonna shop....) You'll pay more for things like fancy color and laser printers and "hard cards". I'm not sure this is what you're after, so I didn't include them. Best of luck! Andy Valencia vandys%hpindda.UUCP@hplabs.hp.com
bobmon@iuvax.UUCP (Bobmon) (12/30/87)
In article <2645@cbdkc1.ATT.COM> czei@cbdkc1.UUCP writes: > > [description of a salesman that would make McDonalds seem grease-free...] > >I'd appreciate any help finding a reputable mail order house, >or reasonable price ranges for AT or XT clones. Sounds like your first move should be to get Dad-in-law away from that store. The price sounds poor, and the pitch sounded like pure PTBarnum ("There's a... born every minute"). Suggestion: find a store that HAS some invoicing-type software, or whatever Dad-in-law needs, and that is willing to let HIM play with it on a machine in the store before any money comes out. Another suggestion: if you/he goes with mail-order, consider who's gonna repair it, install that nifty integrated software, figure out how to set up the hard-disk, etc. etc. Him? You? Mail-order is a Lot safer for people who already know what they're doing (no offense; Macs and PCs aren't that similar.) And now for a comment on prices: There's a store in Indianapolis called SoftWarehouse, which may have a branch in Columbus. At any rate, I recently convinced a friend to take a (small) chance on a system they were pushing, to wit: 10MHz 8088 CPU 30Meg Hard Drive, 5.25" floppy, 3.5" floppy EGA card, Samsung monitor 1200bps modem 640K package price: $2000 ($1995.95) DISCLAIMER!: I'm not recommending either the store or the machine especially, but this suggests the kind of prices that can be found. (For what it's worth, the IUPUI purchasing agent was willing to deal with the store.)
pcl@ihlpf.ATT.COM (Liu) (01/06/88)
Soft Warehouse of North Dallas claims to be the biggest PC hobby shop in Texas and their price is anywhere from inexpensive to reasonably-priced. Recently they went national by entering mail order market. I have seen their ads in PC WEEK magazine. Around New Year time frame, I have seen their ad which advertise SUNTEK XT-TURBO for $299, ST225 w/ctrlr for $259, ST251 for $389, floppy disks for $4 a box, mono/pp card for $39, mono monitor for $65, ...etc. They do accept credit cards with no surcharge. A flat $5 shipping fee for orders under $500. Also they got lots of name brand software at a price that's hard to beat. Their phone number is (800)451-SOFT, if you hear busy tone, be patient and try again later. The only thing I dislike about them is their NO REFUND policy. ihlpf!pcl