russ@Alliant.COM (Russell McFatter) (01/24/90)
I'm currently in the market for a Macintosh system which will replace my
aging Tandy 2000HD (finally)! I'm not new to the Macintosh world (used to
use/manage them at work, and my brother has a Mac IIcx which I "visit"
from time to time). However, before making a purchase, I figured I'd ask
you wise folks out there for any comments...
The recommendation I have been given is for:
Mac IIx or (preferably) IIci
8 MB RAM
Extended keyboard
100MB internal drive
RasterOps Colorboard 224
RasterOps 19" (trinitron) monitor
Places to buy this: (best price of the 10 or so places tried so far)
Dr. Mac
Software that Fits
Mac Friends (distant 3rd)
Reasons for this configuration:
Mac IIx (lots of slots for future expansions) or IIci. I'm leaning at
this point towards the IIci because of speed, and the (low) incremental
cost over a IIx.
8 MB RAM because RAM is cheap now (at last!)-- at least when compared to
everything else here.
100MB internal drive because graphics will take up lots of space; add an
external drive later as necessary.
Colorboard 224/ 19" monitor seems to be among the price leaders, and the 224
board is expandable to add video-overlay and such at some time in the future.
My initial impulse was to go for a 264 and a small display, but the suggestions
that I've gotten say that if I ever want to have a 19" monitor, it might as
well be the color one, and I might as well get it now.
Issues:
Is the IIci argument a good one? Seems that the IIx must be nearing the
end of its product lifecycle, while the IIci is spanky-new. Although (as
most people point out) the IIci's built-in video is a waste, it will at least
allow me to add a regular monochrome monitor later (some animation software
likes this configuration) without having to eat another Nubus slot.
What's the largest, or best value/MB, internal drive for the Mac? Should
I get this item separately? I know that up to 600MB drives are available
(and almost affordable now) for internal mount in a IIx, but those are
probably 5" drives.
Might the SuperMac or Radius 24-bit color boards be a better choice than
RasterOps? (E-Machines got ruled out early due to lots of reports of bad
reliability and service; Truevision seems to be too expensive).
Any comments (service, etc.) for the vendors I listed or suggestions for
others to try? I'd appreciate it...
--- Russ McFatter [russ@alliant.Alliant.COM]
(yes, these are my own questions.)