brucec@orca.UUCP (Bruce Cohen) (08/23/83)
Here are some more responses to my request for information on the IBM
peanut. Once again, I've deleted the names to protect my sources.
Bruce Cohen
UUCP: ...!teklabs!tekecs!brucec
CSNET: tekecs!brucec@tektronix
ARPA: tekecs!brucec.tektronix@rand-relay
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I have been told by an aquaintance who works for a company that
specialzes in porting software to the PC and clones that the Peanut
announcement is to be late this month or early next. He also said that
they are betting on the 80188 for the CPU - Intel has just shipped
20,000 odd pieces to IBM. I would place about 70% confidence in this
info. They USUALLY have stuff well before announcement, especially
from the clones, but, although they knew a fair bit about the XT before
the "official" release, the info was informal, from various contacts,
and this case will probably be the same.
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More information from the same source as before (previous group of
replies - BC). He claims it is very reliable. Peanut will have a full
typewriter quality keyboard (not a cheapo like many small units), 8088,
3.9" mini-floppy with 300 KB formatted, Hi-Resolution Monitor
Capability (no monitor supplied), 16 color, white plastic, software
compatible with the PC, 64K of RAM expandable to at least 128K, and 2
expansion slots. The price will be between $595 and $695. The only
thing he wasn't sure of was wether the expansion slots were compatible
with the PC. He also said that IBM will have sold 500,000 PC's by
December and they plan to sell 200,000 Peanuts by then.
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>From a source close to boca, peanut will have 2 (countem), 2 88's
in it and will be out 'soon' --- ie look for announcement in the
next couple of months. Same source said big blue DOESNT have a
188/186 system waiting in the wings --- hmmmm.
Another source (less reliable) says the graphics controller will
be different and thus incompatible. He also says the package
will be white (not beige). He also has been known to be, shall
we say, 'out there'.