sambo@ukma.UUCP (Father of micro-S) (08/05/85)
I am planning to purchase a microcomputer within the next few weeks. I am
basically considering two different micros at this point - the new Zenith Z-158,
which is IBM PC compatible, and can be switched back and forth between 4.77 MHz
and 8 MHz, and the Ampro Little Board/186, which is a single board computer
using the 80186 processor. The limit on what I can spend is $3600-$3800. First
let me set the scenario.
I will be finishing my master's in computer science in December, at which
time I plan to go to Honduras, where I am from, for about 8 months, and then
return to continue my studies. I want to take a computer with me, since other-
wise I will basically not have access to a computer. (The University of Hondu-
ras only has two very small IBM computers from the early 1960's, one of which is
an 1130 with a FORTRAN compiler that doesn't understand ".LE.", ".GT.", etc.
Both use punched cards.) This has several implications, including the need for
a battery-backed power system (there are several blackouts every single day),
and the need for a very reliable system, since the only microcomputer dealers
are IBM and Radio Shack. It will be difficult to get anything repaired. Upon
returning from Honduras, I plan to sell my computer, since I stand to make
a profit from such a venture (import tax on computers is at least 100%, but I
don't have to pay tax since I am returning with my personal possessions after
being out of the country for several years). I plan to use my computer almost
exclusively for programming in Modula-2 and assembly language. My areas of
interest are compilers, floating-point arithmetic, and operating systems, so
typical projects might be writing a lexical analyzer generator, writing an
8087 emulator, and messing around with the operating system. I may also want
to do graphs on paper using a graphics printer.
Below is the lineup of the equipment I am considering, along with estimated
prices (I have only consulted BYTE magazine and some information that Ampro sent
me). The left column lists equipment related to the Ampro Little Board, and the
right column lists equipment related to the Zenith Z-158. The center column
lists equipment common to both systems. I can get a discount on Zenith and IBM
equipment through the University of Kentucky.
Ampro Little Board with 512K $1055 Zenith Z-158 with 256K RAM, $1400
RAM, enclosure, cables, PC-DOS, 1 floppy drive, monochrome monitor
documentation, etc. Extra RAM for a total of 512K 40
Qume QVT-101 amber terminal 315 1 10 Mbyte hard disk with controller 500
1 5-1/4" DSDD floppy drive with 150 8087-2 chip 140
enclosure Clock/calendar 80
1 3-1/2" DS Quad-Density floppy 250
drive
1 10Mbyte hard disk 250
Controller for hard disk ?
Printer and accessories 495
Editor 195
Macro-Assembler 125
Modula-2 compiler 495
Battery-backed power system 250
The 5-1/4" floppy drive is necessary, both to transfer data before leaving for
Honduras, and upon returning from Honduras. I am considering either the IBM
Proprinter or the HP Thinkjet. The Proprinter has the advantage of those three
letters, which could be a consideration when it comes to reselling the equip-
ment, whereas the Thinkjet is very small and quiet, and uses very little power.
The Ampro Little Board is attractive to me for several reasons. It is
small. It uses very little power, which could mean being able to get a cheaper
power system. The microfloppy drive would be advantageous because it is more
immune to dust, and it would be a better backup system for the hard disk than a
minifloppy drive because of its higher storage capacity. (I don't really know
where to get one, though.) I could thoroughly mess around with the operating
system, including the BIOS (source code is available). While I am not an engi-
neer by any means, I did design and build a diminutive microcomputer using the
8088 that actually worked as I intended it to, back before IBM introduced its
PC. In addition, it has the faster processor of the two systems - an 80186 run-
ning at 8MHz. This could be important when it comes to using the Modula-2 com-
piler. My reservations are its reliability, whether I will actually be able to
get it to work, and the slightly greater difficulty in reselling the computer.
The advantage of the Zenith system is that it will work, and it will be
attractive to potential buyers in Honduras.
This is a very long posting because this decision is important to me, and
I want to make a good decision. I would welcome any comments at all, especially
from people with experience with the equipment I am considering.
-----------------------------------------
Samuel A. Figueroa, Dept. of CS, Univ. of KY, Lexington, KY 40506-0027
ARPA: ukma!sambo<@ANL-MCS>, or sambo%ukma.uucp@anl-mcs.arpa,
or even anlams!ukma!sambo@ucbvax.arpa
UUCP: {ucbvax,unmvax,boulder,oddjob}!anlams!ukma!sambo,
or cbosgd!ukma!sambo
"Micro-S is great, if only people would start using it."