randy@gtuplab.UUCP (Randal Abler) (02/29/88)
I'm contemplating a 386 machine, possibly even a PS/2 Model 80 (I get a good discount as a student) and Microport's 386 with DOSMerge, so here are some questions for those of you running Microport 386: 1) Has anyone tried MP 386 w/ a IBM Model 80? Comments? Does MP work well on the ESDI 70Mb disk? 2) What media is it shipped on? If I buy a system with only 3.5 inch drives am I going to be in trouble? 5.25 disks are available from Procomm (or IBM if they are shipping) for extra $$ 3) Does Microport even support the 3.5 inch drives? or do they use the same driver as the 5.25 drives. 4) Any quirks with the IBM VGA Display? 5) What is the latest production version? I don't want to pay for an outdated version. My intended configuration is a PC compatible 386 machine, 2 Mb RAM, around 70 MB disk, VGA display, Printer, 2400 baud modem. I run several UNIX machines around campus (HP 9000/540, MicroVax II's {Ultrix}, and we have a SUN 3/60 and three SUN 4/110 on order) thus the desire for UNIX. I can read 'notes' while at work, so I have no intention of using up disk space for notes on my machine. The modem is a must for accessing the campus net, and uucp between work/home. I am currently using a AT&T 7300 UNIX PC, which belongs to the school, and goes back shortly. It is really a slow beast, and the 'Window' enviroment brings words of profanity to mind, but it is nice having a common operating system between all the machines I work with. To muddy the waters, I have a fair amount of PC software, including programs from when I had a IBM PC (shortly after they came out) and programs available (legally, no flames please) as student demo versions that are used for course work. PC's are popular for the never ending programming assignments that seem to go with an engineering education ... Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated! Randy Abler Georgia Institute of Technology {hp-lsd,gatech}!gtuplab!randy