aks@umcp-cs.UUCP (12/03/83)
Sperry Computer Systems, Inc. has recently announced a new product called the ``Sperry PC''. It is made by Mitsubishi (IBM's is manufactured by Fujitsu, I understand) and is 100% compatible with the IBM PC, while offering greater capabilities at 10% less cost (list OR discounted!). Some of its enhancements are: its color monitor has twice the resolution of the IBM PC, its 8088 cpu runs at 7.16 MHz (1.5 times faster than IBM's speed of 4.77 MHz), and is switch selectable to provide true compatiblity for speed and timing sensitive programs; 128K RAM standard (the IBM PC comes standard with only 64K RAM); built-in time-of-day clock with battery backup; built-in RS232C interface (does NOT require an expansion slot -- unlike the IBM PC); a speaker for sound effects and music; seven expansion slots. DSDD diskette drives (320KB) are offered (either one or two, depending upon the model), or a 10MB hard-disk may replace one of the diskette drives. The controller for the drives requires one expansion slot. As for monitors, a monochrome (green) or color is available. The color monitor's resolution is 640 dots across and 400 dots down. Of course, there is a IBM-compatibility mode so existing programs may use the lower resolution satisfactorily. Also, 256 colors are displayable (the IBM PC has only 16 colors). Sperry paid attention to the gawdawful keyboard too -- the keyboard is quite similar to the IBM PC's keyboard, EXCEPT for the placement of two or three keys (and corresponding characters), such as the placement of the angle brackets, the dashes, and the shift and return keys. Otherwise, they're the same so that any templates from IBM PC software may also fit over the keyboard of the SPERRY PC keyboard. Oh yes, the keyboard has a 6-foot coiled extension cable. The SPERRY PC comes in five models: Model 10: Monochrome, 1-320K 5 1/4" floppy, MS DOS 1.25 Model 20: Monochrome, 2-320K 5 1/4" floppies, MS DOS 1.25 Model 30: Color, 2-320K 5 1/4" floppies, MS DOS 1.25 Model 40: Monochrome, 1-10MB disk, 1-320KB diskette, MS DOS 2.0 Model 50: Color, 1-10MB disk, 1-320KB diskette, MS DOS 2.0 Apparently, the only difference between MS-DOS 1.25 and 2.0 is the support of the 10MB hard-disk. The standard, supplied software is G.W. BASIC (Gee-Whiz BASIC), and some diagnostics. Finally, prices were not announced but it was FIRMLY stated that SPERRY would aggressively compete in the market via enhancements and LOWER PRICES, and that, no matter what configuration/price IBM offered, SPERRY will beat it by at least 10%! It was also announced that SPERRY would be opening ``Productivity Centers'' where SPERRY PC's would be displayed alongside with IBM PC's for customer comparison. The area Productivity Center will, initially, probably coincide with the local marketing headquarters (in Wash, D.C., it will by at Tyson's Corner bldg.). Enough? -- Alan Stebbens UUCP: ..seismo!umcp-cs!aks ARPA: aks.umcp-cs@CSNet-Relay
seaburg@uiucdcs.UUCP (seaburg ) (12/08/83)
#R:umcp-cs:-419400:uiucdcs:10400092:000:204 uiucdcs!seaburg Dec 7 21:44:00 1983 Fujitsu? They put them IBM PCs together in Florida. Perhaps they do make parts for them somewhere else. Re: the PC Compatible- there's always that ever-present question of how compatible it will be.
Fbrown%micom.micom@udel-relay.arpa (12/15/83)
Just a bit more clarification, the IBM PC is built in a plant in Arab (pronounced AY-rab) Alabama, by a company out of Huntsville Al. SCI.