bryan@ihuxf.UUCP (11/22/83)
Since you want a HOME computer, I assume you mean a computer for the whole family to use. Therefore you don't want a business or CP/M system. CP/M is great for a hobbiest but not for someone learn- ing to use a computer. That leaves more or less the following: Atari Apple Comodore Radio Shack TI (if you can still get them) (forget about an Adam, this year anyway) The Atari has a good amount of software, very user friendly lower in price than an Apple, but a little more expensive than a C64. It has very good customer support. It has the best graphics of the group. But the Atari suffers from third party (cheap) hardware support; this might change with the new line. And it is also one of the most reliable home computers. (Very well built) Don't let the game image fool you (Games are one of the most diffuclt thing for a computer to do hardware wise). The Apple is the most expensive of the group but, has lots of software, can be used by the whole family and allows you to tiker around with hardware projects. But it is expensive. It also can be used as a business computer. The Comodore Vic 20 is in my opnion a toy that pretends to be a computer. What are you going to do with 5k of ram and a 20 colum display? Answer, very little. It can be upgraded to a computer but then you might as well buy something else. But it is a cheap way to go if you don't want to spend much money, and don't know if you want a computer. The Comodore 64, This would be alot better choice than buying a Vic 20. The 64 seemingly gives you the most computer for the dollar, but it has two big drawbacks, it is unreliable and has very poor customer support. The Radio Shack CoCo may not be a bad choice, but I don't know enough about it to make any comments. The TI might be a bargin but it is an M.D. product. Also it suffers from software support and expensive add ons.
covert@ihuxq.UUCP (covert) (11/22/83)
The uses of a home computer must be delimited before a purchase can be made. If the computer is to be used mainly for entertainment then any of the small systems (Commodore, TI, Atari, etc.) should suffice. On the other hand, if the system is to be used for personal business or family general computing, then a system with acess to a large body of professional should be considered. Such a system would consist of the following: 1. CPU and CPU-related hardware (i.e. main memory, serial and parallel io, expansion boxes, etc.). 2. System peripherals such as modems, printers, terminals and voice sythesisizers (sp?). 3. Disk storage, either floppy or hard disk, preferably 10M to 20M. 4. Software such spreadsheet, database management, word processor, etc.. Discussing these four requirements separately: The cpu should be one which readily available software. The eight-bit 8080/8085 and z-80 are good choices. The 16-bit 8088 appears to be the most popular cpu now. The faster the cpu clock, the bettr, generally. An expansion box should be available so that as your needs grow you can add to your base system. Various types of io ports should be available so as to allow you use many type and vendors of peripherals. This allows you to pick the best peripheral for your specific need. The system peripherals should be able to interface to your machine. Things to look for are rs-232c serial and Centronics parallel interfaces. Many modems are available with serial interfaces. Most printers can be purchased with either serial or Centronics paralle interfaces. Serial interfaces can use a longer cable, so as to allow the printer to be located in a convenient location. Parallel cables are generally short (less then 5 feet) and may restrict you choices in locating your printer. The disk storage is actually are of the most important parts of your system. A small system will be much more useful if you can store all of your programs on-line. A system with 100k to 300k floppys just does not have enough storage to be useful on a daily basis. In conclusion, a home computer can be used for mainly entertaninment or for educational and/or business purposes. If used for entertainment then any machine with a large body of games should suffice. If used for serious programming then you should purchase a system that is expandable, with a large body of software and peripherals. A CP/M sytem or an ibm-pc would be acceptable. -- richard covert ihnp4!ihuxq!covert
miller@uiucdcs.UUCP (miller ) (11/25/83)
#R:ihuxf:-164800:uiucdcs:10400090:000:990 uiucdcs!miller Nov 24 23:51:00 1983 In response to the person who claimed you should not buy a c64 because it is unreliable and has very poor customer support: utter nonsense. I have had my c64 about 6 months now and it has not been down once (in fact, I am using it right now with a Lexicon modem to type this in). I am aware of only two hard- ware problems with the c64, both of which Commodore has recently fixed (heat problems with the disk and a video problem). It is true that Commodore does not have a toll free service number; however, they do have a number you can call if you are willing to pay the phone charges. Also, the claim was made about another computer having better graphics. In my opinion, I have not seen better graphics than on the c64. If you wish to criticize the c64, it would be better to attack the processor used (the 6510). It is, unfortunately, rather weak. But then, the machine is selling for $100 mail order. I guess (unless you are buying a NAME like Apple) you get what you pay for.