paula@bcsaic.UUCP (Paul Allen) (02/14/89)
After months of research, I believe that I've found two 386 systems that come close to satisfying my requirements. The characteristics I've been looking for include: inexpensive; fast; reliable; 32-bit memory expandable to 16M. I haven't seen magazine reviews on either of these machines, so I'm wondering if anyone in netland has experience with them. The descriptions that follow are from ads and telephone conversations with salesmen. System 'A': Vendor: QIC Research (800) 843-0806 Cpu: 20Mhz 386, 387 socket Memory: interleaved (80ns page-mode 1Mb drams) 1Mb on motherboard 2 32-bit slots for optional 8Mb cards that must be populated in 2Mb increments. I/O: 1 parallel, 2 serial Disk: 1.2 floppy, 72M Micropolis, Omti 1:1 controller Video: hercules compatible monochrome Price: $2984 with 1M and above configuration; empty 8M card +$199 (Microprocessors Unlimited has 80ns page-mode drams for $35) Warrantee: 30 day moneyback, 1 yr parts+labor, first year on-site service for +$40 System 'B': Vendor: CompuAdd (800) 627-1967 Cpu: 20MHz 3386, 387 socket, Weitek socket Memory: Cache (uses 82385), four sockets for 1M or 4M simms (I didn't record the speed) I/O: 1 parallel, 2 serial on motherboard Disk: 1.2 floppy, 80M Seagate, WD 1003WA2 1:3 controller, IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) interface built-in but not used due to current prohibitive cost of drives. Video: hercules compatible monochrome Price: $3095 with 1M and above configuration; 4M simms $1699, Microprocessors Unlimited has 1M 100ns simms for $360 Warrantee: 30 day moneyback, 1 yr parts+labor, first year carry-in maint contract: +$130 From reports I've seen on the net, both of these companies enjoy good reputations. The QIC machine would perhaps be hampered a bit by its lack of a cache, but then the slow WD1003 is the only controller CompuAdd sells. The man at QIC claims that QIC makes his machine, although various net reports have spoken of QIC as a re-seller of Everex systems. The QIC machine described above doesn't match their most recent ad in the Feb. BYTE. This suggests that the machine they're trying to sell me is fairly new, but I haven't asked that question. The CompuAdd system is one of four new high-end 386 and 286 machines that were apparently first announced in a catalog I got from them in the last month. The CompuAdd salesman claimed that the new systems were designed by CompuAdd, but actually manufactured by somebody else. (He didn't specify, and I neglected to ask.) So, has anybody got experience with these companies (or better yet, experience with these particular machines!) that they can pass on? Does any of the above information raise a big red flag for you? If so, please send email. I'll summarize in a week or so. Thanks! Paul Allen -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paul L. Allen | pallen@atc.boeing.com Boeing Advanced Technology Center | ...!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!bcsaic!pallen