[comp.sys.sgi] Questions about 2200, 2300, and 2400 model IRISes.

ned@pebbles.cad.mcc.com (Ned Nowotny) (12/17/89)

I may have the opportunity to pick up a used model 2200, 2300, or
2400.  However, I have a few questions.

1)  Are these models still sold and/or supported by SGI?

2)  What version of the SGI operating system and development tools might
    be available for these machines?  What are the prices for a license?

3)  What level of BSD UNIX support is available in the SGI OS?

4)  Do I really want one of these?  How cheaply should I be able to get
    one for the answer to be yes?

For what it is worth, I am looking into these machines with a desire for
a UNIX workstation with goods graphics, good performance, and a fair amount
of mass storage.  I would also like a decently performing X window system
for portable development in addition to 4Sight and NeWS.


Ned Nowotny, MCC CAD Program, Box 200195, Austin, TX  78720  Ph: (512) 338-3715
ARPA: ned@mcc.com                   UUCP: ...!cs.utexas.edu!milano!cadillac!ned
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"We have ways to make you scream." - Intel advertisement in the June 1989 DDJ.

blbates@AERO4.LARC.NASA.GOV ("Brent L. Bates AAD/TAB MS294 x42854") (12/18/89)

   1) I don't think SGI sells any of the 2000's any more.  They never
      supported the 3000's, so I doubt they support the 2000's.
      'Officially' SGI quotes hard ware support for 2000's until about
      Oct '91. This is from an October '88 price list schedule.

   2) I think the 2000's use 3.6 OS the same as the 3000's.  SGI isn't
      distributing 4Sight for the 3000's or earlier models.

   3) The 3.6 OS is a weak mixture of System V and BSD.

   4) You might want one if it is 'dirt' cheap.  I depends on what you
      can afford.

   Personally, I wouldn't buy one.  I am questionable about buying an
old 3000, let alone a 2000.  It would probably be better to buy a bottom
of the line Personal Iris or if you really don't need the color graphics
buy a SUN Sparc station.
--

	Brent L. Bates
	NASA-Langley Research Center
	M.S. 294
	Hampton, Virginia  23665-5225
	(804) 864-2854
	E-mail: blbates@aero4.larc.nasa.gov or blbates@aero2.larc.nasa.gov