lucas@cg-atla.UUCP (Dick Lucas) (04/26/91)
I've put together several IBM PC compatibles at reasonable cost by buying components (case, boards, drives, monitor, etc) from mail order sources, and am comfortable and confident with this approach. Now I've been asked to help a family obtain an Apple IIgs system for a learning disabled member, without having to take out a mortgage on it. Looking around at a local dealer suggests that a price tag of $1800 would apply to a system with a color monitor, and no printer. That's quite a bit more than the family would like to spend. Is the mail-order approach feasible with the IIgs, and if so, can someone provide names and addresses of mail order dealers that have proven to be reliable? Could someone recommend a configuration that would be adequate (but not overkill) for running children's software? In particular, the "Sticky Bear" series and similar software is what would be running. The child is currently using this type of software in school. At this time it appears unlikely that the system would be used for much of anything else. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Dick Lucas lucas@cg-atla.agfa.com
express@pro-grouch.cts.com (Jeff Goodman) (04/27/91)
In-Reply-To: message from lucas@cg-atla.UUCP You might want to take a look at the Laser 128, all of the "Sticky Bear" series of software, that I know of will run on the laser. If you need speach, I think the Echo IIc will work for the Laser 128, I'm not sure though someone else may be able to fill you in on that. The price tag for the Laser is somewhat below $500, or at least in the area, including color monitor.
THROOP@GRIN1.BITNET ("Throop,Henry B") (04/28/91)
[Dick Lucas asks where to get a gs] If all you're planning on using is the Stickeybear programs, a gs is really overkill, because Stickeybear doesn't use the features of the gs (graphics, sound, speed, etc.) You might be better getting something like a Laser 128 (~$500 including 5.25" drive (built in) and color monitor) or finding a used Apple //e or //c. Henry -- Henry Throop THROOP@GRIN1.BITNET throoph@jacobs.cs.orst.edu
alb@cognos.UUCP (Al Belyea) (04/28/91)
You can assemble a less expensive GS system thru mail order. Pick up a copy of A+/Incider magazine - its got lots of mail order ads. Some of the ads have IIGS CPUs, but I'm not sure if they're grey market or not. However, you can really save on peripherals from 3rd party companies. Quality Computers have a very good reputation as a mail-order company. I've also dealt with Programs Plus and had no problems. So, pick up a ROM 03 GS cpu (the current production model) which gets you the cpu with 1 Meg RAM on the motherboard, the keyboard and the mouse. You can save a bundle on the RGB monitor by getting a Magnavox (not sure of the model#) that some of the m.o. companies sell. For a 3.5" drive pick up the Applied Engineering 800K drive, there are lots of cheap 5.25 drives around too. The only other thing you may want is a memory board, but if it'll only be used for the kid's software, most of it should run on the stock 1 MEG system. Alternatively you can find some really good deals on used systems these days. Try and find a local store that knows and supports the II series (there seems to be less and less of them these days) and ask around. I've seen some really cheap systems for sale (ie 2 Meg, 40MB hard drive, add-in cards, software) for about $1500 or less. Good luck. -- Allan Belyea UUCP: 3755 Riverside Dr. Cognos Incorporated alb@cognos P.O. Box 9707 (613) 738-1338 x3822 uunet!mitel!cunews!cognos!alb Ottawa, Ontario "... when in a Desparate situation, challenge." Sun Tzu CANADA K1G 3Z4
unknown@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (The Unknown User) (04/29/91)
In article <9104281557.AA19814@apple.com> THROOP@GRIN1.BITNET ("Throop,Henry B") writes: >[Dick Lucas asks where to get a gs] > >If all you're planning on using is the Stickeybear programs, a gs is really >overkill, because Stickeybear doesn't use the features of the gs (graphics, Aren't there GS specific versions of the Stickybear programs?? I thought there were, and there are also McGee and that-girl on the Farm programs that're GS specific that apparently are very popular, from what I read. -- /unknown@ucscb.ucsc.edu Apple IIGS Forever! WANT ULTIMA VI //e or GS?-mail me.\ \CHEAP CDs info-mail me. McIntosh Junior: The Power to Crush the Other Kids. /
sysadmin@pnet91.cts.com (Matthew Montano) (04/29/91)
> Apple has been allowing the GS to be sold through mail order for some time > now. Nope. Apple's Trans-Shipping Rules (long AND complex) clearly state (once completely translated) that mail-order selling of product is STRICLY PROHIBITED. Such mail-order IIgs's are the real thing.. But the retailer would definitely NOT BE AUTHORIZED BY APPLE COMPUTER INC. to sell the product in a mail order fashion. Though things are QUICKLY changing.. Apple I think for the most part simply looks the other way with a lot of products.. ;-) Matthew --- ventureTech Intelligence - We're trying to make computers easy, SOME HOW! Email: sysadmin@pnet91.cts.com (most mailers won't barf on that..) My comments aren't even worth a disclaimer... And the further I get from the things that I care about... The less I care about how much further away I get - Robert Smith, 1989
garyd@wind55.seri.gov (Gary Derochers) (04/30/91)
There are now I thin three "Sticky Bear" programs that work on the IIGS. My kid uses one called Sticky Bear Talking alphabet and loves it. So this one and at least two others use the IIgs very well.