dave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) (11/04/83)
Pardon my abysmal ignorance, but I would like a little bit of
background on what the current micro chips (==processors?) are.
I'm not an engineer and tend to look at computer hardware as black
boxes. I'll be having to make recommendations soon as to a micro
or mini for a certain application, and I'd like to know a little
more about the market of today in general terms.
My understanding is that there is a basic division between
8-bit processors (e.g., 6502, Z-80, ???), which are found in the "past
generation" micros such as Apple II, Commodore [64?], and Osborne I;
16-bit processors (68000, Z-8000? 8088? LSI-11), and 32-bit processors
(at least for address space) such as the 16032, small VAX and
I don't know what else.
I'd appreciate it if someone could send me some more details about all this.
(I'll summarize to the net if people are interested.) In particular:
1. What are the "latest" chips? Do all of the new micros
run on the same few chips?
2. I understand the 32-bit machines give a larger address
space because you don't have the 16-bit (==>64K words)
addressing limitation. Is this the only advantage?
If my programs all fit into 64K, do I care?
2. What does the Hz mean in connection with micros? I
hear about some company running the same processor
at more megahertz. What does this mean? (You can assume
I know nothing about electricity/electronics. I'm interested
more in the *effect*.)
3. I will be looking at a system running UNIX or a UNIX
lookalike. I have literature on Intel 8086/Xenix, dAVID,
Zilog System 8000 Zeus, Dual System 83, Spectrix, Onyx,
Pixel, Altos, Plexus, Nabu 1600, Wicat....
In *general* terms, can I assume that one 68000-based
system will function much like another? Or that one
8086 will function much like another? (I realize the
code written for the UNIX implementation will make a
difference, of course.)
Thanks in advance for replies. At the moment I just want to understand
the market better, so any information is appreciated. (Also, if you
are marketing a micro/mini that runs UNIX and want to tell me
about it, feel free to do so. In a few weeks I will be inviting
companies to make specific proposals to meet our requirements.)
Dave Sherman
Maintnix Services (consultant to The Law Society of Upper Canada)
599 York Hill Blvd.
Thornhill, Ontario
Canada L4J 3J5
(416) 947-3466
decvax!utcsrgv!dave@BERKELEY (ARPA)
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