dennya@pnet02.cts.com (Denny Atkin) (04/05/89)
Gee, for some reason I feel like a heathen actually asking about this, but
here goes:
I may soon have an opportunity to do some work that would require me to
become better acquainted with (ugh!) MS-DOS. I've used PC's as much as the
next guy, but for this I would really need to have one at home at my beckon
call. I do have the Transformer, but I can't think that slowly. I don't
need a hopped up 386 machine, as it would be mainly "home user" type
software that I would be running.
Anyway, whatever I got would be a supplement to my current Amiga system.
If I had a 2000, I'd just pick up an XT bridge board and all would be
well, but alas I have a 1000, so that's not an option.
The real limiting factor here is money. I'd sell the 1000 and get a
2000/bridge combo, but there's no way I can come up with more than $1000
(and that's going to be pushing it... <$750 would be best).
I'm probably going to end up with either an XT Clone or a portable. I
want something that would complement my Amiga (ie: 3.5" disks for easy data
exchange), and it would be nice to have a portable. Besides, I can use my
Amiga monitor with the portable.
I have a few questions that perhaps some of you who have dealt with
using PC's and Amigas can address:
1) I have a Sony KV-1311CR monitor with RGBA and RGB digital inputs.
I know I can use this for CGA (ugh!) display, but will it work with
EGA or VGA? How about Tandy 16-color CGA?
2) These are the computers/options I am looking at... Perhaps some
of you know the relative advantages/disadvantages of each and
could fill me in on them:
A) Amstrad PPC-1640 (I think) portable. Full sized kbd, 2 3.5"
floppies, 640K, built in 2400 baud modem, icky non-backlit LCD
but has CGA output too. Most redeeming feature: clearance
sale priced at about $699. Conflicting reports on whether it
has 1 slot or not. Anybody out there have or used one of
these?
B) Used Commodore SideCar. Two *BIG* concerns: I don't think
it would work with my Insider RAM board and C Ltd. SCSI
interface attached. Would it? And also, will the new
Janus software work with the SideCar? Could I set up a
JLINKed partition on my C Ltd. drive? (or has anyone ever
gotten a bridgeboard to work on the 1000 in one of the
smaller card cages?).
C) Desktop PC Clone: Commodore Colt (brand loyalty strikes!),
Tandy 1000somethingoranother (better game graphics), or bare-
bones AT box? I know I SHOULD get a 286 box if I'm going to
use a PC, so I can use Windows286 and Desqview, but I don't
want to sink that kind of money into it (I wouldn't be happy
with less than 1 meg and a hard disk). Tandy makes a cheapo 286
that is really an XT with a 286 wedged in--will this cookie run
real 286 software, like OS/2 or Windows286? Suggestions?
I'm leaning strongly at the portable, unless someone has a SideCar
they want to part with cheaply and can convince me that it will work okay.
My main concern with the portable is the inability to add a hard disk. But
the ability to have a machine I could take with me when I travel may
outweigh that. I would appreciate any comments, suggestions, etc. that
you folks could MAIL me. I don't think this is of general interest to the
net.
Thanks!
Denny Atkin
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