akp@isrnix.UUCP (12/15/83)
#N:isrnix:8700006:000:1595 isrnix!akp Dec 14 19:58:00 1983 A friend of mine is looking for a microcomputer to do university-level word-processing. That is, papers, letters, resumes, etc. There are only general constraints: A letter-quality printer. A decent-size screen, both in characters/line and inches/screen. The Ottrona(sp?) is not decent. Two disk drives with >= 160K/disk. A WORD-PROCESSING program, not a TEXT EDITING program. WordStar is of the right ilk, but is pretty expensive (alone). A full-travel keyboard. A price <= $2000 (total). A computer store nearby recommended a KayPro; I am not familiar enough with it to recommend it. An Apple ][e was suggested, but how much does it really cost to get 80 columns, a monitor to look at them with, and a decent word processor? The printer is (usually) independent of the computer. But it really should be letter-quality (that is, formed characters) for reasons NOT related to professors' tastes. Speed, however, is not that important. I realize I am going to get loads of mail (emphasize MAIL) about "my favorite computer", and that's fine. Please include data which addresses all of the points above (printer optional, and may be its own topic), with facts and personal impressions of performance. Remember that and IBM is not only beyond this person's means, but is more than he needs. If it seems worthwhile, I will post some kind of summary to the net. But the main thrust should be recommending a computer&program package. Thanks in advance, as they say... -- Allan Pratt ...decvax!ihnp4!iuvax!isrnix!akp ...pur-ee!isrnix!akp ...allegra!isrnix!akp