alt (02/26/83)
TI 99/4A Apologia
Recently there have been a couple of inquiries about the TI 99/4A
concerning its dark horse status. It is certainly true that the liter-
ature is singularly lacking in information on this machine. A couple
of years ago Creative Computing reviewed the original machine and
was unhappy with the calculator-like keyboard, slow basic interpreter
and the lack of expandability. About six months ago I wanted to
buy a machine for about $200 that could run some adequate educational
software for my seven-year-old daughter. The ROM cartridges then
offered for the VIC-20 and RS Color Computer were unremarkable.
I was impressed by the educational software for the TI 99/4A.
Produced in collaboration with several well-known textbook publishers
these ROM cartridges featured crisp graphics, good sound and some
even have speech when used with the Speech Synthesizer.
To make a long story short I bought one even after having read
one report on this net that the machine made a good "$200 paper
weight". Seems that the author didn't like the key placement and
the inability to use PEEK and POKE with the standard configuration.
I have, however, learned to love this plucky little micro and enjoy
playing with it almost as much as my daughter. Now to answer some
of the recent questions.........
Yes, the TI Basic is very slow. In their attempt to idiot proof
the machine they have created a monstrous snail. Much to my relief
the Extended Basic is much faster. By the way, I find the Extended
Basic to be very formidable. Excellent moving graphics (sprites),
direct screen control of I/O and some speech capibility are avail-
able.
No, there is no significant degrading of the display when used
with a color TV set. My only gripe is that the TV cuts off some of
the already limited line size (from 32 characters to 28).
Yes, I, too, have noticed that many of the demonstrators in the
stores are plagued with problems. After more than four months
none of these problems has occured with my machine. I think the
store demonstrators get a lot of wear and tear from almost con-
stant removal and insertion of cartridges. I've noticed that many
Radio Shack machines share this problem. The reason that the VIC-
20 seems immune is because of the stupid placement of the cartridge
slot (in the back, yet!). Most kids are too intimidated to hassle
with it.
By now many may have heard that TI has found that if the power
transformer melts 120V line current can be shorted to the console.
Sales have been suspended until a line adapter can be shipped to
merchandisers and owners. This is probably a potential problem for
many machines under catasphrophic transformer failure and TI should
be commended for being so cautious eventhough none of the 99/4A's
has failed in the field. I can't imagine anyone getting shocked
this way. Who in their right mind would use the computer if the
transformer was melting at the wall socket with all the acrid
smoke that would entail.
I hope that this difficulty will not dim a potentially bright star.
Last month in Las Vegas TI unveiled a speech recognition game system
they have developed with Milton Bradley. By using a com set the player
is able to move around the screen using spoken commands. This should
give Atari and Mattel a few sleepless nights. Priced at between
$75 and $100 this "Expander" will plug into the 99/4A's joystick
socket. The early games offered for the 99/4A were very disappointing,
but two recent entries, Parsec and Alpiner, are, in my opinion, arcade
quality.
Please send any additional questions concerning the TI 99/4A via
the mail. I will summarize and post.
Larry Taylor (tucc!alt)