elliot@xenna.encore.com (Elliot Mednick) (09/29/90)
Being in the market for a mid-range PC, I am torn between a 286-20-based system and a 368sx-16-based system. I would not be using it for software development, rather this would be for running business-type applications, specifically Excel for Windows and PowerPoint (or some other combination of tools for analysis and presentations). And, as long as I have the system, I'd want to play Flight Simulator and games (ok, so maybe that IS the real reason for buying the system:-). Everyone is saying that 32 bits is the way to go, but I am not convinced. In general, I'd be trading off 32-bit-ness for speed and $$ (which can be used for 4MB memory, etc.). Is this a religious argument, or is there really a GOOD reason to get into a 386sx (the 386dx is probably out of the question for my budget, ~$1200)? As long as I have your attention, any opinions on Hercules vs. VGA paper white for the above? Is VGA paper white the same resolution as M*cintoshes? __ Elliot Mednick (elliot@encore.com) | This .signature file is undergoing Encore Computer Corp. | remodeling for your convenience. Marlborough, MA. 01752 | Please pardon our appearance.
davidsen@sixhub.UUCP (Wm E. Davidsen Jr) (09/30/90)
In article <12833@encore.Encore.COM> elliot@xenna.encore.com writes: | I would not be using it for software | development, rather this would be for running business-type applications, | specifically Excel for Windows and PowerPoint (or some other combination | of tools for analysis and presentations). | Everyone is saying that 32 bits is the way to go, but I am not convinced. | In general, I'd be trading off 32-bit-ness for speed and $$ (which | can be used for 4MB memory, etc.). Is this | a religious argument, or is there really a GOOD reason to get into a 386sx Three good reasons to buy a 386: Desqview, Windows, PharLap. More applications are giving up on the limitations of 640k and 16 bit instructions and using the full power of the 386. If you buy a 286 you will lock yourself out of newer versions of software, particularly since the packages which will go that way first are the business packages you mention. Why buy something which is obsolete? The SX will run the same packages as the DX and 486, but the 286 is only useful for today's software, and not all of that. Even things like PKZIP run faster on a 386 than the same speed 286, because they use the 32 bit instructions. -- bill davidsen - davidsen@sixhub.uucp (uunet!crdgw1!sixhub!davidsen) sysop *IX BBS and Public Access UNIX moderator of comp.binaries.ibm.pc and 80386 mailing list "Stupidity, like virtue, is its own reward" -me