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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!lanl!jp
From: jp@lanl.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Word processor for a college freshman
Message-ID: <29484@lanl.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 9-Aug-85 17:04:33 EDT
Article-I.D.: lanl.29484
Posted: Fri Aug  9 17:04:33 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 12-Aug-85 04:38:41 EDT
References: <551@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Lines: 37

> DO NOT GET AN ELECTRONIC TYPEWRITER!!!! 
> 
> DO NOT GET A COMMODORE 64!!!!
> 
> My advice on affordable systems is to get a portable CP/M system. For
> example, look at the basic Kaypro: for $695 you get a complete system
> with a 9" monitor, TWO disk drives and all essential software:
> word-processor, spreadsheet, database, BASIC, communications, utilities.
> Even if your son only uses the word-processor (I'll bet he gets curious
> about the other stuff eventually) this will serve him better than any
> other choice for the money. 
> 
I second this opinion.  I am sending two freshmen of to college this fall.
After some investigation I got my son and daughter a CP/M based system.
Since I am handy with hardware, I opted  to assemble a system out of pieces.
I am not sure that I save much money, but I wanted a 12" screen.  Otherwise,
the KayPro is a hard deal to beat.   The system I put together came to about
$800, not counting the printer.  I chose a daisy wheel since the idea was to
replace a typewriter.   My choice: Comrex CRIIE ($349).  This is Diablo
compatible for ease of installation.  And, the printwheel and ribbon are
easy to install/remove. (A nice feature if you anticipate changing fonts
(Greek or Math symbols) in the middle of the text.

I installed an Ampro little board, a power supply and two half height TEAC
55B DSDD disk drives in a box meant for two ful height drives.  I put a
ZRT-80 board and power supply in a Heath HVM122A monitor and added a surplus
keyboard externally.  It looks nice enough that my daughter is proud of hers
but, hopefully, doesn't look too tempting to a thief.  I thought maybe I 
would put a Model name on it:  Junk I  :-)

Anyway, stay away fromm the "toy" computers for best results. 
 
P.S.  My daughter built the kit portions of the system herself and use the
system the last semester of her senior year.  I've got to get busy and get
my son's system together, now. 

Jim Potter  jp@lanl.arpa