mchin@homxc.UUCP (12/05/87)
I'm considering buying a new computer system for around $3000. The system I'm presently looking at is a Tandy 4000, with the Paradise Professional VGA card, either the Zenith Flat Screen Color Monitor, or the Princeton Graphic Systems Ultrasync, along with your Joe Average 40 Mb harddisk with controller. Basically what I'd like to know is any opinions people on the net may have concerning any of the components. Also, the Paradise Professional VGA card is stated to have a maximum monochrome resolution of 1024 x 768. The only color monitors which I'm sure will reach this resolution are IBM's 8514 and NEC's Multisynch XL. Both of which will cost me over a 1000 bucks, almost 2000 for the XL. Does anyone know of any other color monitors which can reach a resolution of 1024 x 768 which sells for under $1000? Since this is not really of general interest, we can keep the net clear by sending any responses to me by email. Thanks for all your help. Michael Chin UUCP: ihnp4!homxc!mchin
berger@clio.UUCP (12/06/87)
I would reconsider the Tandy computer. Tandy service is notoriously bad,
their hardware quality is often poor, their compatibility frequently falls
short of perfect, and their ability to provide technical assistance is
non-existent.
Mike Berger
Center for Advanced Study
University of Illinois
berger@clio.las.uiuc.edu
{ihnp4 | convex | pur-ee}!uiucuxc!clio!bergerjvc@prism.UUCP (12/08/87)
/* Written 11:24 am Dec 6, 1987 by berger@clio.las.uiuc.edu */ >I would reconsider the Tandy computer. Tandy service is notoriously bad, >their hardware quality is often poor, their compatibility frequently falls >short of perfect, and their ability to provide technical assistance is >non-existent. > Mike Berger > berger@clio.las.uiuc.edu There is no problem with the compatibility of the real clones (ie not the 1000s) from Tandy. However, the service and technical assistance from a RADIO SHACK store or a combined RADIO SHACK store and computer center is usually not that great (what do you expect from a store that does not sell only computers). You should buy your equipment from a store like COMPUTER PLUS of Littleton, MA (an authorized Radio Shack computer service center and retailer). Computer Plus is excellent in the service and assistance areas. They sell only Tandy computers but sell boards/periferials from other venders (as well as Tandy). Computer Plus sells the Tandy equipment at least 10% below what the Radio Shack stores are allowed to and has good prices on the stuff from the other vendors. There must be stores like Computer Plus around in your area. As I mentioned, the real clones from Tandy are great, however, the boards/periferials from Tandy are usually over-priced and lacking in compatibility and quality. Although all my computers are Tandy, I tend to stay away from any of their boards/periferials. jvc@mirror.tmc.com
madd@bu-cs.BU.EDU (Jim Frost) (12/09/87)
In article <16800162@clio> berger@clio.las.uiuc.edu writes: >I would reconsider the Tandy computer. Tandy service is notoriously bad, >their hardware quality is often poor, their compatibility frequently falls >short of perfect, and their ability to provide technical assistance is >non-existent. I would like to see what basis you have for these beliefs. I have dealt with Tandy computers for some 2 years now. I have seen 25 Tandy 1000's in operation in one spot (heavy industrial). Zero failures. Not even one. Every six months or so they have to have their chassis vaccuumed because it gets full of dust. It is, after all, an industrial environment. Once, a keyboard failed (too much dust under the keys). Tandy (radio shack) replaced it with no problems under their maintenance contract. No hassles, it was done within an hour. Now, I agree that some of the morons that work for RShack are pretty stupid, but not all of them are. I have had intelligent conversations with many of them. Their computer centers usually have at least one person who knows what he's talking about and all of their salespeople know the phone number of the main tech center. As for compatibility, almost nothing has a problem with them except hardware on Tandy 1000s because the bus is too short; it's still pin compatible, though, so often you can force-fit half-cards. Of course, newer models don't even have this drawback. Can you provide me with experiences that lead you to dislike Tandy computers? Their other hardware is overpriced, but the computers themselves are relatively reasonable, hardworking, and pretty compatible. jim frost madd@bu-it.bu.edu
leonard@bucket.UUCP (Leonard Erickson) (12/09/87)
In article <16800162@clio> berger@clio.las.uiuc.edu writes:
<I would reconsider the Tandy computer. Tandy service is notoriously bad,
<their hardware quality is often poor, their compatibility frequently falls
<short of perfect, and their ability to provide technical assistance is
<non-existent.
Gee, sounds just like your "standard" clone to me!
Tandy service _may_ be bad (though a service contract seems to result in
miraculous improvement), but it beats the service on most "no name" clones.
I know several people who got wonderful deals on some clones. Then the
dealer went out of business. Now they are discovering things like the fact
that they don't have any documentation for the driver that lets them use
a 40 meg drive as drives C: and D: (nor _any_ partitioning software).
I don't recommend the Tandy 1000 line. I _do_ recommend the 3000 and 4000
lines. But for simple home and game use, even a 1000 is a reasonable
machine. There are enough of them that there exist third party sources
for hardware (for the things that aren't compatible) and that most software
does have 1000 versions where needed.
--
Leonard Erickson ...!tektronix!reed!percival!bucket!leonard
CIS: [70465,203]
"I used to be a hacker. Now I'm a 'microcomputer specialist'.
You know... I'd rather be a hacker."