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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!mcnc!ecsvax!ranger
From: ranger@ecsvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Enhancing an old //e
Message-ID: <2447@ecsvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 9-Dec-86 09:53:07 EST
Article-I.D.: ecsvax.2447
Posted: Tue Dec  9 09:53:07 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 14-Dec-86 19:31:21 EST
References: <8612082146.AA24953@decwrl.dec.com>
Organization: UNC Educational Computing Service
Lines: 45
Summary: Maybe //gs upgrade....

In article <8612082146.AA24953@decwrl.dec.com>, binder@fizbin.DEC.COM (NOW willya gimme some fightin' room?) writes:
> >    I was wondering if anyone out there could offer me some advice
> > as to what type of hardware I should add too my present system.
> > I have a basic system: monochrome monitor, two disk drives and an
> > unenhanced Apple ][e.  I was figuring on buying a printer of some sort,
> > possibly a super serial card, and a 1200 baud modem.
> 

If you are going to upgrade you might consider upgrading to the //gs.
Rather than paying $100 for a serial card and $70 for a rom upgrade,
you could pay $500 and get 2 serial ports, disk drive port, mouse, 2.5
times the normal speed, RGB color capability, and the new sound capabil    -
bility.  You can then plug in your printer to one of the serial ports
and a modem into the other.  I would recommend an external modem.  While
it is true that an internal doesn't require a serial card or port, there
are 1200 baud external modems that are available for $109 (Avatex modem
advertised in computer shopper) so even if you have to buy a serial card
the price is about the same and the external modem can be used with any
machine whereas the internal modem can only be used with the Apple //.
An external modem also gives you a little more protection from lightning
strikes on the phone lines.  With an internal modem the phone line is 
plugged directly into your machine, with an external modem the line plugs i          
plugs into the modem which is connected via a cable.  I know several pe        
people who have had their machines zapped by lightning running in on
phone lines to internal modems, but none who have had it happen with
external modems.  If you get the //gs upgrade, an external modem makes
even more sense because the serial card is built-in.

As for non-Apple products, I agree with the previous response,  if it
works and it is in your price range, buy it.  You have to be sure that
it works, though.  Not just functionally, but in terms of compatibility.
Several manufacturers make good products that are cheaper than Apple's
products, but in the case of printers, few match the quality of output
that the Imagewriter II has.  Brother has just released an imagewriter
compatible that you may be interested in.  Be aware, though, that these
manufacturers can make them cheaper because they leave out certain fe         
features that most people don't use, but may be important to you.  Like
the expansion slot on the Imagewriter II.  Most people don't use it, but
if you want to use the printer in a network you have to have it.
Apple's products tend to be of very high quality, but they are also 
priced at a premium, you just have to compare features that are important
to you vs the cost.

Rick Fincher
ranger@ecsvax