HOWESDW@wsuvm1.BITNET.UUCP (01/17/87)
Received: by WSUVM1 (Mailer X1.23) id 9069; Thu, 15 Jan 87 13:37:10 PLT Date: Thu, 15 Jan 87 13:13:35 PLT From: Don Howes <HOWESDW@WSUVM1> Subject: PC Clone Questions To: INFO-ATARI16@SCORE.STANFORD.EDU I've read with some interest the postings about Atari's new line of machines and peripherals that were announced at CES. I've got a few questions about the announced PC clone that maybe Neil can shed some light on. 1. I like the idea of a multi-sync monochrome monitor (that is something the ST could use). However, I'd like to make the suggestion (as has been already mentioned) that Atari consider a B/W version of their announced green screen monitor. For graphics use, a true grey-scale monitor would be a lot easier to look at. Maybe this is something that can be worked on and introduced later. Also, could I use my NEC Multisync color monitor with this system? 2. I would strongly suggest that Atari consider either bundling PC GEM with their machine, or make it an optional OS (along with the PC GEM developers kit). This would be a strong move to enhance the creation of GEM based software in general. 3. I'd like to know if there is room in the system box for a half-height hard drive (since the box is only 2" high, it has to be a half-height). Also, since there is no room for standard PC cards, is there hard drive controller circuitry on the motherboard? How big is the power supply? 4. Is there a SCSI port available as an option (since no mention was made of one as standard equipment in the announcement). This would really help in the addition of an external hard drive (especially 40M and larger) if one has to be added. 5. No mention was specifically made of the size of the expansion box. Will this box take standard PC cards. Also, (as yet another permutation) would there be room in the expansion box for a hard drive? Is there a tentative date when these boxes will be available (first quarter, second, etc.)? I know that I'm harping on hard drives, but a lot of PC software (both application software and development software) just doesn't run worth beans from a floppy system (especially a single floppy system). If I got one of these machines (and the price would be hard to beat) it would be as a development system (for GEM) which would be pretty useless without a hard drive. Hopefully, Neil (or someone at Atari) can provide some answers to these questions. Don Howes (HOWESDW@WSUVM1)