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From: dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (D Gary Grady)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: COMPAQ DESKPRO QUESTIONS
Message-ID: <508@ecsvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-Jan-85 16:48:06 EST
Article-I.D.: ecsvax.508
Posted: Wed Jan 16 16:48:06 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 19-Jan-85 00:37:42 EST
References: <7247@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Organization: Duke U Comp Ctr
Lines: 46

<>
> We are buying Compaq's just as if they are PC's. I understand they
> have some kind of liscencing agreement with IBM to use PC ROM's and
> are therefore much more compatible than other clones.

I don't believe that this is true.  I own a Compaq portable and I've
encountered numerous BIOS differences.  The most annoying one was one
that I discovered before I bought a printer.  Hitting Shift-PrtSc
causes the Compaq to attempt to print the screen.  It tries for 16
seconds ON EACH CHARACTER ON THE SCREEN.  There is no way to stop it
without rebooting.  So if one is in the middle of editing a long
document (as I was) and hasn't saved it recently (yup), one has to just
go away for 8 hours or so.

The keyboard scan codes on the Compaq portable are different from those
on the PC.  In particular the PgUp and left-arrow keys seem to be
reversed, as are PgDn and right arrow (this is based on my experience
with PC-Write, which makes heavy use of scan codes).

Compaq also seems to have problems with diskette drive quality
assurance.  Several friends with Compaqs have had drive failures.  (I,
however, have been lucky so far.)

On the other hand, the Compaq is faster in screen i/o, even on the
portable, thanks to better BIOS code and no need to wait for horizontal
retrace.  I think it's a pretty nice machine overall.  I'm certainly not
disappointed that I own one.

You might take a look at the Zenith Z-150 and Z-160.  While not as fast
as the Deskpro, these are good PC compatibles which are at least as
compatible as the Compaq.  In addition, they have a better keyboard
layout (but complete scan code compatibility), a monitor ROM, the
capability to boot from either drive, a more complete version of DOS,
and a number of other advantages.  Those concerned about the future
solvency of micro manufacturers may find Zenith particularly attractive
because (1) Zenith makes a lot more than micros and (2) Zenith is the
main micro supplier to the DoD.  So Zenith is unlikely to hit financial
problems unless the Defense Department suddenly runs into severe budget
cuts.  Finally, the machines are available as kits from Heath, so you
know they have to be fairly easy to work on.

-- 
D Gary Grady
Duke U Comp Center, Durham, NC  27706
(919) 684-3695
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