rjs@trwrb.UUCP (Robert J. Suyehara) (12/11/86)
This info is from the front page of the December 8th Computerworld: DISCLAIMER: This is being posted as general info for those interested in Mac rumors. It is not intended to belittle any other computer users, such as Amiga users (my last posting was posted to the Amiga group by someone which caused many negative responses). The validity of this information will not be known until the products are released next year. Apple will supposedly introduce at least two 68020-based, open architecture models of the Macintosh and a low-end Laserwriter printer at the company's January product unveiling, according to sources who have seen the products. The existing Mac Plus cannot be upgraded to the new systems because the main logic board and power supply are different, according to software developers and an Apple source. (this contradicts MacUnderground) The new Mac systems will have 256K bytes of ROM, which includes part of the operating system. The systems run at 16 MHz and have a socket available for the 68881 math coprocessor. Both machines will have 1M byte od RAM, expandable to 4M bytes. One model has the same chassis as the current Mac, with an internal hard-disk drive and one expansion slot. The second, open Mac is larger with five expansion slots, with one slot for a video connection. The user can also plug in coprocessor cards. One developer was impressed with the prototype 12-inch monitor with four times the resolution of the current Mac monitor. "When I looked at it, I thought I was looking at a photograph," he said. Apple will also introduce a low-end laser printer, priced approximately $2000. This printer will not run Adobe Systems' Postscript page description language, but will use the Mac Toolbox and a version of Apple's Quick Draw routines to transmit graphic images. Apple is also testing an implementation of Postscript on the Imagewriter. A high-end laser printer, which will produce 1000dot/inch resolution, will be available later in the year as it is still under development. Also in the works for release later next year is a Mac designed with RISC architecture, according to sources. These Macs (except the RISC) will not be available in quantity until March 87, according to sources within Apple. Apple is being very cagey about the January announcements because marketing decisions are still being made. Prices for the above products were not given. I hope some of you find this info useful or informative. Bob S.
dorner@uxc.cso.uiuc.edu (12/18/86)
Surely you didn't mean a laser printer WITHOUT PostScript at the same time as a Dot-matrix printer WITH PostScript? I can't imagine why apple would do that. I would be less surprised if they go the route Sun is trying, and use PostScript inside the mac as well as to printers. Steve Dorner dorner@uxc.cso.uiuc.edu Warning: this posting contains pure conjecture. Attempts to use it as fact, tip, or even unfounded rumor are bound to end in disaster.