simon@psuvax.UUCP (09/28/83)
I presume that this query has been previously submitted by others, o please answer by mail directly to me. If this is not well known, I'll be happy to summarize answers, and post them in net.micro. I would like advice on buying a home computer. The requirements are somewhat strange, but possibly not unusual: the system is to have a dual purpose - a first computer for my 8-year old son, and a terminal for me (to be used with our VAX system). As a terminal, I need good upper and lower case letters, 80 columns, and >=20 lines. The home computer should have decent graphics (for games), preferably color, should support the LOGO language (not necessarily all of it, but recursion is a must). Of course, any extra goodies are welcome. I also would like to keep price to a minimum. Thus, for example, I do not necessarily need a printer, although I will want to get one in the future. Similarly, memory (both core and disk) would be bought strictly to attain the capabilities above. Again, the possibility of expansion is probably a must. I know I could get all of this by, for example, getting a PC with two terminals (a green terminal and a color monitor), a modem, etc. for about 5K. I'm intersted in a much cheaper solution (at most half that much). A possible scheme would be to get a terminal and a modem for me, a color monitor and a cheapo machine (TI94, Commodore64 or similar) for him, and wait a couple of years to have something like a fat Sun become available for 2K. Still, it seems crazy that the best way is so dumb. Any comments? Suggestions of systems? Things to avoid? Thanks in advance. janos simon psuvax!simon