bst2948@cec2.wustl.edu (Bryan Sauhsung Tung) (04/18/91)
I'm considering buying a MAC LC, and I have a few questions: 1. Will all color applications run on an LC with the Apple 12" monitor? 2. Do some applications assume the presence of a coprocessor (which the LC doesn't have) ? 3. Is the VRAM upgrade available from anyone other than Apple? 4. What are good monitors to hook up to the LC w/ VRAM upgrade? 5. Is virtual memory capability really that important?
Bryan.Tung@p911.f421.n109.z1.FidoNet.Org (Bryan Tung) (06/20/91)
1. Can the Mac LC (with VRAM and a math coprocessor installed) run all Macintosh software, including programs written specifically for the Mac II's? 2. Does Mac II software require a 68030 or just a FPU? 3. Does an LC with VRAM do full 8-bit color on the Apple 13" monitor? 4. Are there any boards for the LC that have a FPU and a PMMU? 5. Has anyone had any compatibility problems with the LC? Please respond by posting. Thanks! * Origin: The Clone: Macintosh Things - 301-946-8677 (1:109/421.911)
Brian.V.Hughes@dartmouth.edu (Brian V. Hughes) (06/20/91)
In article <677412014.0@blkcat.FidoNet> Bryan.Tung@p911.f421.n109.z1.FidoNet.Org (Bryan Tung) writes: > 1. Can the Mac LC (with VRAM and a math coprocessor installed) run all > Macintosh software, including programs written specifically for the Mac > II's? I haven't had any real problems running any software for the Mac II family on the LC in my office, especially if you install the Pseudo-FPU init, but if you have a coprocessor expansion card then you will definately have no problems. In terms of the extra VRAM SIMM, this is pretty much icing on the cake, but it does make certain programs look a lot nicer. > 2. Does Mac II software require a 68030 or just a FPU? As far as I know, Mac II software doesn't necessarily require either of them, but yes most software thatr is written for the Mac II does look for a co-processor. I don't think that it actually looks to see if you are running a 68030 CPU. > 3. Does an LC with VRAM do full 8-bit color on the Apple 13" monitor? Yes it does, and I have always felt that the main reason to get the VRAM upgrade is because you have a 13" monitor with your LC and you want more than 16 colors. I have always hated the 12" color. > 4. Are there any boards for the LC that have a FPU and a PMMU? I believe that there are a couple of them, I seem to remember reading an add for them in MacWeek. This is the place to check. Chances are if it exists inthe 3rd Party world then there is an add for it in the back of MacWeek. > 5. Has anyone had any compatibility problems with the LC? To be honest, in the 4 months that I had an LC the only thing that ever gave me a compatibility problem was trying to use the Satori module with AfterDark because it required a Math Co-processor. Later. -Hades Brian Hughes hades@Eleazar.Dartmouth.Edu Dartmouth Medical School - Computer Information Specialist
stanger@otago.ac.nz (Nigel Stanger) (06/21/91)
In article <677412014.0@blkcat.FidoNet>, Bryan.Tung@p911.f421.n109.z1.FidoNet.Org (Bryan Tung) writes: > 1. Can the Mac LC (with VRAM and a math coprocessor installed) run all > Macintosh software, including programs written specifically for the Mac > II's? It should. The only software I've found so far which doesn't run properly is some pre-new-sound manager music software, and the occasional game. Software which requires specific hardware (e.g. 68030) may also not run. > 2. Does Mac II software require a 68030 or just a FPU? Depends on the software. Most "Mac II specific" software I've seen requires just a FPU rather than a 68030. In fact, I would think that the number of applications which actually *require* a 68030 would be rather small. > 3. Does an LC with VRAM do full 8-bit color on the Apple 13" monitor? Yes. And if you're wondering whether you should buy one, *do*. I bought a 12", and now I wish I hadn't :-( The extra screen area is *definitely* worth it. > 4. Are there any boards for the LC that have a FPU and a PMMU? I haven't heard of any yet... I *have* been told that it might be rather difficult to put a PMMU into a standard '020 LC. It has something to do with the fact that there is RAM hardwired to the motherboard - a PMMU wouldn't be able to access it, or something like that, I can't remember exactly. Maybe you should wait until the '030 LCs come out :-) > 5. Has anyone had any compatibility problems with the LC? Compatibility with what? Software? Hardware? For software, see above. Hardware? I haven't had any problems, but then, I don't have a lot of hardware :-( -- See ya Nigel. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nigel Stanger, Internet: stanger@otago.ac.nz c/o University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Phone: +64 3 479-8179 Dunedin, NEW ZEALAND. Fax: +64 3 479-8311 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "If I had a quote, I'd be wearing it." -- Bob Dylan ----------------------------------------------------------------------
sukenick@sci.ccny.cuny.edu (SYG) (06/26/91)
>> 1. Can the Mac LC (with VRAM and a math coprocessor installed) run all >> Macintosh software, including programs written specifically for the Mac >> II's? > I haven't had any real problems running any software for the Mac II >family on the LC in my office, especially if you install the Pseudo-FPU Some software somehow knows that a coprocessor is not installed, even if the init is present. Other software checks the toolbox to see what kind of machine the prog is run; if it finds something other than Mac II, then it says "sorry". >does look for a co-processor. I don't think that it actually looks to >see if you are running a 68030 CPU. If there are any instructions specific for the '030, then it wouldn't work unless there is some code to take care of the exception (not likely, but then at this stage, there probably aren't too many programs that take advantage of '030 code...coreect me if I'm wrong.... If the code works on the original Mac II (which has '020, it'll probably be ok. >want more than 16 colors. I have always hated the 12" color. Well, it IS a step up from the tiny B&W Mac screen. The 13" is much nicer, I agree.