jcp@BRL@sri-unix (08/01/82)
From: J C Pistritto <jcp@BRL> I just, for the first time in my life, laid eyes on the new IBM PC. WOW! Leave it to IBM to make a personal computer that doesn't look like a refugee from a hardware lab. I was extremely impressed by the good integration of the package/display. I saw both the color and monochrome video display, and the monochrome is a definite win. Its much better than most video terminals. The keyboard is also a win, (excellent feel). I was a little disapointed in the low memory density provided, (16K elements), but that is fixable by buying an outside memory board. (256K with a serial and parallel port is available outside). A word of caution about IBM's async communications package however, the software CANNOT hack terminal emulation at 1200 baud, (much less 2400), its partially written in basic. The excellent CROSS-TALK package is available for CPM-86 (one of 3 OS's available, the best is M-DOS however). A C compiler is available, (but not thru IBM). The COMPUTERLAND outlet in Timonium has a good selection of software also. In particular, VISICALC and WORDSTAR are supposed to be real wins, (although expensive). There are assembly language implementations of terminal handling done, I would be particularly interested in one that emulates several popular terminals, (VT-100, Concept 108, etc.). -JCP- PS: Lets hear it for QUAD modems (2400)!