heine@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Eric Heine) (05/24/91)
I am planning to upgrade my current computing/DTP platform. I run PageMaker 4.0 for the PC under Windows 3.0 currently (although I'd switch to a PM version for OS/2 3.0 if/when these become available). The minimum platform to which I'd like to upgrade would be a 33-MHz 386 with buckets of RAM (16MB), etc., etc. My real question has to do with the issue of math coprocessors. Since it's essentially cheaper to get a 25-MHz 486 (which incorporates the floating point coprocessor onto the CPU chip) than it is to buy a 33-MHz 386 plus an 80387-33 coprocessor, but cheaper still to get a 33-MHz 386 _without_ a coprocessor, I'm wondering whether I'd receive any real benefit (wrt PageMaker 4.0) from having a floating point coprocessor. Essentially, my choice boils down to this: if the consensus indicates that a coprocessor is a worthwhile piece of hardware for DTP, I'll get a 25-MHz 486. If not, I'll get a 33-Mhz 386. Your advice is welcome... Thanks! --Eric Heine =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cire Computer and Typesetting Services (708) 864-7592 cire@lenny.acns.nwu.edu (708) 398-2894 heine@casbah.acns.nwu.edu =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
bpenteco@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com (Bob Pentecost) (05/29/91)
/ hpdmd48:comp.text.desktop / heine@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Eric Heine) / 4:31 pm May 23, 1991 / I called Aldus Support and asked them the same question when I wanted to speed up my system. The response was that a numeric coprocessor would not make much of a difference. They did suggest setting up a permanent swap area in Windows to increase performance (I haven't tried that yet). Bob Pentecost Hewlett Packard - Network Printer Division Boise, ID bpenteco@hpbsrl.boi.hp.com