6500boo@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (William Bushing) (10/19/90)
I know there have been plenty of postings on mail order companies. I've narrowed my search to two principle ones: Gateway 2000 and Zeos with Data World, Tri-Star and EPS hangers on. Northgate is missing from my list only because of budget... I want to spend no more than $3700 (if for a 33 MHz) system. Gateway 200 offers their stock 33MHz cached 386 with TEAC drives (my preference) and a 150 Mb HD. Overall the system offers more than Zeos' 33MHz which has 80 Mb IDE drive at same price. I need the higher capacity... in addition to the usual spreadsheets, databases (dBASE II, Paradox 3) and word processing (WS, WP 5.1) I'm running a fax board, scanner with OCR capability (Calera WordScan Plus) and will be analyzing digitized graphics images (plus eventually doing some GIS work... the 150 Mb may not be enough). Gateway's components include Ultrastor controller and Imprimis hard drive and Kung Pao (sp?) power supply. Any problems with these components? Appreciate any comments those with greater experience can offer. I've been computing since 1983 (Kaypro 4 CP/M) and have Compaq Deskpro and AST Premium 286 but am now a "starving grad student" and can't afford the high price of the name brands! Thanks for any advice, Bill Bushing 6500boo@ucsbuxa.bitnet 6500boo@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu