johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu (10/08/90)
I recently posted a request for info regarding SoftPC, a Mac software product from: Insignia Solutions, Inc. 254 Geronimo Way Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408)522-7600 I'll summarize responses, and add a few observations as I now am using the product to run an IBM PC terminal emulator on the Mac... What SoftPC does: *FULLY* emulate IBM PC/XT with the following features: 8088 processor; 256-640K ram; CGA graphics card; floppy disk drive (if you have SuperDrive in Mac, otherwise can use DaynaFile or Kennect) (the XT version does not emulate the 8087 math coprocessor) AT version features: 80286 processor; 640K ram + access to LIM 4.0 extended memory (up to 4meg); EGA or CGA option, supports 101-key AT extended keyboard, 80287 math co-processor support is available for Macs with 68881 or 68882. BOTH versions allow the Mac serial ports to be configured as COM1 and COM2, thus allowing telecommunications, etc. Printer support is handled well, but is slow by Mac standards. PC applications that can be configured for EPSON MX-80 printers can print on any printer supported by a Chooser-level driver. This includes the LaserWriter; but what is sent is the same info that would be sent to an MX-80. Support is apparently available for PC printing to PostScript devices (as opposed to using the LaserWriter to output data which the PC application 'thinks' is being sent to an Epson). Two virtual hard disk drives can be set up on any Mac hard disk; to the Mac these are simply large files of fixed size (1 to 30 meg). The 30 meg limitation, I believe, is a DOS limitation. Operating System: MS-DOS version 3.3 is used for both XT and AT, along with GW-Basic. Purchase of SoftPC licenses the operating system software from Microsoft. Supposedly, it is also possible to run MS-Windows; this is likely to be slow, and a memory-hog. Weird though -- a Mac emulation running via a PC emulator on the Mac. DOS MANUALS ARE NOT PROVIDED, as many purchasers of SoftPC will have these as legacies of past sins. Mac System requirements: Mac II, IIx, IIcx, IIci, SE/30, or '030 accel. SE) XT version requires 2meg Mac to run in Finder; XT uses 1730K in Multifinder. AT version requires 3meg in Finder; and a minimum of 3000K in Multifinder. With larger Multifinder partitions, the AT can use up to 4meg of LIM memory. Evaluation: Taking into consideration my limited knowledge of DOS, and experience with PC applications, I am unable to write a really technical review of SoftPC's performance. However, I am IMPRESSED and AMAZED at the things it does. I have run Lotus 123 v.2, MS-Works v.1.0.5, WordPerfect v.5.0, as well as a whole slew of PD or shareware applications including games and terminal emulators. I even recompiled and ran old Turbo Pascal code I'd written (long ago) for the PC. I can't claim to have tested any of these applications thoroughly, but I found no flaws. EGA graphics emulation on the AT is tricky on a small screen Mac; double-clicking the window bar toggles between true EGA pixel mapping and pseudo-graphics rounded off to fit the Mac window. This doesn't affect large screen users. Color is also supported; I have no way to check this on my SE/30. Speed: the XT is faster than my PC clone, the AT is 1.5 to 2 times faster, depending on the extent to which the coprocessor is used for the given PC task. Terminal emulation with a modem appears to be limited to 1200 baud, practically speaking. The software supports up to 19.2kbaud; speeds > 1200baud should be possible in direct-connect applications. No special cabling is required for serial communications if the Mac is already connected. A special utility program "SlavePC" allows the Mac to access the floppy disk drives of a serially connected PC; this is slower than null modem transfers, but is available from within PC app's. How to Order: SoftPC is sold in two parts, XT and "EGA/AT option module". Mail-order prices for the XT range from $215 to $275; the EGA option goes for $120-$150. A bundled package is available at substantial savings. The vendow I used is "BottomLine Distribution" 1-900-420-3636, which offered the bundle for $299.95. Current version is 1.3. Disclaimer: I don't work for these guys or know them, but: Hat's off! The possibilities of this product are virtually endless. It's a real pity that the PC itself is not more exciting. For me, it was a real nostalgia trip, as well as a reminder of why I bought a Mac in the first place. Bill Johnston; 38 Chambers St.; Newark, DE 19711; (302)368-1949 (johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu)
mvidlak@cs.tamu.edu (Michael Vidlak) (10/08/90)
In article <32722@nigel.ee.udel.edu> johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu writes: [stuff deleted] > DOS MANUALS ARE NOT PROVIDED... Insignia Solutions must have changed their product distribution. When I purchased my copy of SoftPC, a DOS manual covering MS-DOS 3.3 came with the software. When you get the AT/EGA module, you do not get the DOS manual, however, you cannot run the AT/EGA module without SoftPC. I tried loading Windows 3.0 on my machine, but when it slowed down to less than a crawl, I decided not to run it. I have a Mac IIci using a color monitor and the internal video port. By the way, I think its a great product. I can't wait to see their version running on the new NeXT cubes/slabs. __________________________________________________________________________ Michael Vidlak Knowledge Systems Research Center Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77845-3112 ---Not an official document of Texas A&M---
ted@cs.utexas.edu (Ted Woodward) (10/09/90)
In article <32722@nigel.ee.udel.edu> johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu writes: >What SoftPC does: >*FULLY* emulate IBM PC/XT with the following features: > Supposedly, it is also possible to run MS-Windows Not quite true. You can run Windows 2.x, but not Windows 3.0. Don't ask me why, but it just won't work. Even with the AT version of SoftPC. -- Ted Woodward (ted@cs.utexas.edu) Greetings, Royal Ugly Dudes!
johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu (10/09/90)
>>What SoftPC does: > >....[telecomm with a modem] appears to be limited to 1200 baud.... not true, (sorry, I spoke too soon) SoftPC works fine with Procomm2.43 at 2400 baud. And thanks to the people who have sent PC PD/shareware in attempts to crash the emulator. Bill Johnston (johnston@ccm.udel.edu)
hlt@iapic (Harold L. Trammel) (10/10/90)
johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu writes: >Mac System requirements: Mac II, IIx, IIcx, IIci, SE/30, or '030 accel. SE) >XT version requires 2meg Mac to run in Finder; XT uses 1730K in Multifinder. >AT version requires 3meg in Finder; and a minimum of 3000K in Multifinder. >With larger Multifinder partitions, the AT can use up to 4meg of LIM memory. >Bill Johnston; 38 Chambers St.; Newark, DE 19711; (302)368-1949 >(johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu) The biggest difficulty I had with SoftPC was being willing to commit the 12mb of hard disk space to setting up a 10 mb PC. Yes it is cheaper than buying a PC, but users should consider getting as large a hard drive as they can afford and be willing to allocate a substantial portion to SoftPC. I was looking at getting a Syquest box and having one cartridge set up as a SoftPC system. Thankfully I don't have the need for the PC that I did at the time so my poor CX has all of its disk back. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Harold L. Trammel hlt@iapic.cvm.uiuc.edu IAPIC-CVM Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ==================================================================
rotberg@dms.UUCP (Ed Rotberg) (10/11/90)
From article <1990Oct10.151030.8497@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>, by hlt@iapic (Harold L. Trammel): > johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu writes: > Thankfully I don't have the need for the PC that I did at the time > so my poor CX has all of its disk back. Do you still have your version of SoftPC? Are you willing to part with it?? - Ed Rotberg - weitek!dms!rotberg[@dms.UUCP]