Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site lanl.ARPA 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