#ESCOM – UUGH!!!
24 messages in this thread
Let's backtrack.
Ian Einman: "Unlike any other computer built in 1990, this Amiga is still very
usable in 1995."
J. Saperstein: "Some of the computers in use in my shop date back to 1987 and
all of them are as usable today as they were the day they were purchased."
M. Deland: "The computers may be usable, but probably not with current
software." e.g., my example of virus checkers that wouldn't run in a 512K XT.
M. Deland: "but many new programs need a lot of memory or Windows in
386-enhanced mode to run"
J. Saperstein: "Absolutely. So how is the Amiga so superior in this regard?
Are you trying to imply that all Amiga programs will run even if you have
limited RAM?"
Listen, I'm not trying to imply anything. I didn't even MENTION Amigas. I
simply commented on your statement that old PCs are as useable today…etc.
Though I don't think there's anything in the Amiga architecture that's the
equivalent of outdated XTs (and their inability to use extended memory, etc.)
With an Amiga, you can replace the operating system, add more memory, graphic
cards, etc., to update the computer. If you have an XT, you're out of luck with
95% of current software.
>>I don't recall the XT architecture. Was that just an 8088? Why wouldn't these
programs run? Lack of RAM? What were your conclusions on this?<<
Yes, the XT was an 8088. Current virus checkers, even DOS versions, won't
generally run in 512K. And most of the current programs are Windows anyway,
which is a joke with an XT.
Marion Deland
CROSSINGS – Newsletter for Amiga/PC/Mac compatibility
Thanks for bringing things back on track, Marion.
Let's confine the issue strictly to Ian's statement.
Do you know of any Intel-based PC or Apple Macintosh of 1990 vintage that is
unusable today?
Jerry
ueah the mac classic series…with system 6/7
386's with oddball type memory
"ueah the mac classic series…with system 6/7
386's with oddball type memory"
I'm looking at an ad for Sonnot Technologies on page 61 of the August 14,
1995 issue of MacWeek.
They offer a 68040 accelerator for the Mac Classic for $249 with FPU, $199
without.
And they're only one of several companies offering such products.
I've little idea of what you mean by a 386 with "oddball" memory. If it
doesn't follow the PC spec, then it ain't a PC, is it?
Jerry
well it's a new thing
"well it's a new thing"
If you're saying that accelerators for the Mac Classic are "new", you're
absolutely wrong. They've been available since shortly after the Mac Classic
was introduced.
Jerry
it's new the 68040 boards for them
I left out a couple of points in my first response to your posting. Sorry
about that, I was tired.
I've heard of no problems running a Macintosh Classic with System 6 or 7.
What specifically are you complaining of? True, the machines only have a
limited amount of RAM and System 7 is a hog. But that doesn't render them
unusable.
Next, the Mac Classic accelerator I referred to has a 68030 CPU, not a 68040.
Jerry
well not specifics,just that they can't run system7 programs becuase of it's
24bit cpu,and not run anything newer…or even regular type apps on them,only
old outdated software
"well not specifics,just that they can't run system7 programs becuase of it's
24bit cpu,and not run anything newer…or even regular type apps on them,only
old outdated software"
Apple has been offering a product called "Mode32", developed by the Connectix
Corporation, for several years. This allows older Macintoshes to run 32 bit OS
and application software without problem. Apple licensed the product from
Connectix and distributes it free.
So, what you're reporting simply isn't true.
Jerry
which only works with 68020/68030 cpu macs
there are still people with mac pluse,s512s,classics,portables….
these machines are from 1990 and are not very much useable today
Even when accelerated with today's software
the article came from Pcworld or pc magazine,i'll have to look in them which
ppc class chip was slower
<<there are still people with mac pluse,s512s,classics,portables….these
machines are from 1990 and are not very much useable today>>
You better check somewheres other than a PC magazine for info on
usability……..
I have an original Mac 512 purchased new in 1983 (The first one in the
Pensacola Florida area mind you <G>) It has been updated through the years to
a Mac Plus, has only 2.5 megs ram and a 20 meg hard drive. It has OS 7.1
running on it and I use it every day in my business. Still works fine, slow
but so am I <G>
Best Regards
G.E. "OB" O'Brien Pensacola, Florida
"there are still people with mac pluse,s512s,classics,portables….
these machines are from 1990 and are not very much useable today"
I have no idea of where you're getting your information, but you might
consider switching to more reliable sources.
The Macintosh 512Ke was out of production by 1987. They will not run most
current Macintosh software because the ROM's are the original version and
cannot be updated. Basically it's an obsolete machine – but it was three years
out of production by 1990.
The Macintosh Plus was introduced in 1986 and discontinued in October, 1990.
It will run a lot software, including System 7 and much System 7 specific
application software, but it is slower than molasses. With applications
adhering to the System 6 spec, it's totally usable – though why anyone would
want to use one is beyond me.
The Mac Portable was discontinued in 1991 and will run almost all
contemporary Mac software.
The Mac Classic was introduced in 1990 and will run most System 7 software
and all System 6 software.
All of these machines are eminently usable today for any mainstream
application. The Mac applications they won't work with were largely introduced
specifically for the Macintosh II or Quadra architecture and particularly
System 7 which wasn't introduced until 1991.
Jerry
>The Mac Classic was introduced in 1990 and will run most System 7 software and
all System 6 software.<
Will not run, will crawl, specially with MS best selling machine-hogs.
Rafa <Motorola Inside> from Berlin, thanks to AP1.80
>…olive oil is the way to go.<
"Will not run, will crawl, specially with MS best selling machine-hogs."
Excuse me, but if it runs, it runs. That it runs slow is a function of the
processor. Pretend it's an Amiga and pop in an accelerator. <G>
Jerry
>Excuse me, but if it runs, it runs. That it runs slow is a function of the
processor. Pretend it's an Amiga and pop in an accelerator. <G><
ROFL!!!
Run Windows in a 286.
What do you do while you format a diskette in a PC/Mac? While formatting a
volume or two on the Amiga, I do some other things.
And those so many stacked Amiga screens whit different resolutions really make
feel good. Just one desktop in the Mac.
Rafa <Motorola Inside> from Berlin, thanks to AP1.80
>…olive oil is the way to go.<
>>The Mac Classic was introduced in 1990 and will run most System 7 software
and all System 6 software.<<
>Will not run, will crawl, specially with MS best selling machine-hogs.<
Even the "Best" Macs crawl with MS's best, use it with MacWrite or Write Now
and it makes a pretty spiffy text entry terminal.
/ / / //ANDRE
Hi Jerry,
>>The Macintosh Plus … though why anyone would want to use one is beyond
me.<<
It makes a great 800K external disk drive connected to my Emplant through
AppleTalk! 😉 Cheaper than an external drive and adapter too!
/ / / //ANDRE
"It makes a great 800K external disk drive connected to my Emplant through
AppleTalk! 😉 Cheaper than an external drive and adapter too!"
Great use, Andre! I wonder if MacWorld or MacUser would pay you for that as
one of those "helpful hints" they publish?
Bob LeVitus, who writes about Mac's, got lots of press for turning his
original Mac 128K into an aquarium.
Jerry
> Great use, Andre! I wonder if MacWorld or MacUser would pay you for that as
one of those "helpful hints" they publish?
Bob LeVitus, who writes about Mac's, got lots of press for turning his
original Mac 128K into an aquarium.<
ROFL!!!
Those are very good ones!!!
Rafa <Motorola Inside> from Berlin, thanks to AP1.80
>…olive oil is the way to go.<
>>>The Macintosh Plus … though why anyone would want to use one is beyond
me.<<
It makes a great 800K external disk drive connected to my Emplant through
AppleTalk! 😉 Cheaper than an external drive and adapter too!<
ROFL!!!
Rafa <Motorola Inside> from Berlin, thanks to AP1.80
>…olive oil is the way to go.<
>Apple has been offering a product called "Mode32", developed by the Connectix
Corporation, for several years.<<
"Product" — is that hardware or software?
Marion Deland
CROSSINGS – Newsletter for Amiga/PC/Mac compatibility
Mode32 is software, Marion.
Jerry
>>Do you know of any Intel-based PC or Apple Macintosh of 1990 vintage that is
unusable today?<<
If you want to run Windows software, virtually any 1990 PC is unusable in any
practical sense–too slow, and (I think) many programs just won't run in real
or standard mode.
Marion Deland
CROSSINGS – Newsletter for Amiga/PC/Mac compatibility