Source: Computer Shopper – January 1987

In 1987, Computer Shopper still hadn’t peaked yet and the page count was not as high as it would become. This issue still has over 400 pages though. I’ve mostly thought of Computer Shopper as a PC oriented magazine and for the most part it was. However, during the 1980s especially, it covered a wide variety of machines, even those that were by this time out of date and no longer old (like the TI-99/4a, Timex/Sinclair, etc.). The January 1987 issue includes:

Articles

• Hyundai Bets Its Blue Chip On Retail Distribution – Hyundai’s plans to export PC clones to the U.S. Market via Blue Chip Electronics of Chandler, Arizona. Apparently, Blue Chip retail stores primarily sold Commodore and Atari systems up until this point. However, as far as I can recall, Hyundai was not particularly successful in the computer market. The Blue Chip XT with a monochrome monitor could be had for about $800.

• What’s new in 1987: A look Ahead – Computer Shopper’s list of top things coming in 1987 include cheaper laser printers, cheaper RAM, cheaper hard drives, CD-ROM and WORM drives, and the arrival of 386-based computers.

• Comdex Round Up – Highlights include new PCs from Asia, business software for the Atari ST, mass market discount operators like Toys-R-Us, K-Mart and Wal-Mart to start carrying PCs, and more.

IBM MS-DOS

• NEC MultiSpeed: The Fastest Laptop Yet – The NEC MultiSpeed is based on the V30 CPU that runs at 4.77 MHz and 9.54 MHz. It includes 512K of RAM, two 720K 3.5″ disk drives, and a detachable 80 column by 25 line black and white LCD for $1995.

• 80386 Computers Star At Comdex – While Compaq’s 386 based PC had been out several months at this point, many other manufacturers introduced their 386 clones at the 1987 COMDEX.

• Timeslips – A time and billing system for the PC. While web based, the system I have to use today isn’t really all that different in terms of functionality.

• How To Build An AT – A guide to building your own PC-AT compatible machine for less than $2000 (as opposed to the $7000 cost of an IBM PC AT).

• INT.EXE – Listing Your Interrupt Vectors – A program written in Microsoft C Version 4.0 that lists interrupt info on your PC.

• Prodesign II CAD System – A review of this CAD package for PC. Hardware requirements include a PC with at least 512K of RAM, two floppy drives (or hard drive), and a printer or plotter.

• Surprise 286! – An expansion board for PC XT compatibles that basically upgrades the CPU to a 7.2 MHz 286. It includes 8K of cache memory and a socket for a 287 math co-processor.

• Niceprint Hail A New Classic! – Niceprint is software that adds new capability to your dot matrix printer such as additional fonts, more control (e.g. you can do sideways printing), and more.

• Latest PC-Write (2.7) – The latest version of the PC-Write word processor is trad-off of more features but more complexity.

• Carousel! Software to Multiply Memory 10 Times – Carousel! is essentially a DOS virtual memory system for PC XTs and ATs.

• Megatel’s Quark: PC On A Half Shell – A small single-board computer that includes a 10-MHz 8088 CPU, 512K of RAM, and other typical features of a PC XT.

• Stamps World Program – Software to help you manage your stamp collection.

• Too Much Computerized AUTOmation? – A look at new monitors that automatically detect the graphics signal (monochrome, CGA, EGA, etc.) and sets the right display mode. Unfortunately, at this time, there was a lot of software incompatibility.

• Innovention’s SideClock – A clock/calendar expansion for your PC that snaps onto an expansion slot but still allows you to use that slot for other purposes.

• Before DOS – Recollections – A look back at the pre-DOS world of computers (mostly CP/M). At this point in time, DOS was only about 5 years old.

• Menu Relief for IBM/Compatibles – A look at a program called Menu Ease which allows you to create custom menus for starting your DOS based programs.

• Bondwell Debuts $499 PC-Clone – A look at the X’Press 16, a PC XT compatible computer that includes 256K of RAM, color graphics, floppy drive, and 3 channel sound for only $499.

• Cordata Integrated Desktop Publishing Systems – A complete desktop publishing system that includes an IBM PC AT compatible computer, laser printer, 15-inch display, mouse, and various software for about $12000.

• CADpak Version 1.2 – The latest version of this low-cost CAD package would set you back about $125.

• Lightning – A Disk Cache Program That Works – Disk caching software that could reduce disk access times to floppy disk by up to 75% and hard disks by up to 50%. A big deal when such things were quite slow.

• Make Your XT Run Like An AT – The Digitronix VELOZ is an upgrade kit that includes for XT computers that features a V20 CPU to speed up your machine by up to 310% for only $98.

• Modgraph Introduces The Prism – A high resolution graphics controller that offers resolution up to 1024×780, 16 colors from a palette of 4096, and a drawing speed of 1,000,000 pixels/sec for $1695.

• PC-CICS for The IBM PC – A package for the PC that emulates CICS, the mainframe transaction processing monitor.

• Floppy Drive For Portable Computers – A new 3.5″ 720k floppy drive available in both internal and external form factors.

• VEGA Deluxe Extra High Resolution Graphic Adapter – A graphics card that offers resolutions 37% higher than EGA and also supports all common standards.

• C.Itoh 333-CPS 24-Pin Dot Matrix Printer – A new dot matrix printer featuring speeds of up to 333 cps with a proprietary 24-pin diamond-shaped head for $1995.

• Arabic/English/French Word Processor – A multilingual word processor from Computer Anyware, Inc. that is also capable of basic graphics.

• One Adapter – One Monitor “Graphics Solution” – A unique EGA graphics adapter that can also display MDA, CGA, and Hercules and is able to display the Hercules graphics mode on the ENX Multisync Color Monitor.

• AT&T Announces New PC Plus Model – The AT&T PC 6300 Plus features an 80286 processor, 40MB hard drive, 1.2 MB floppy drive, and 512KB of RAM for $4800.

• Internal Solid State Memory System Boasts 80386 Compatibility & Ultra-High Access Speeds – An 8-MB to 192-MB solid state disk drive that can also be configured as memory expansion. Price is not listed here but my guess is somewhere between absurd and ridiculous.

• CopyWrite For MSDOS Program Backups – Software useful for backing up your own copy protected software but was also probably used extensively for pirating software as well.

Tandy

• TRSCROSS Disk/File Transfer Utility – A DOS based utility that lets you read and write TRS-80 format disks.

• CoCo 3 – Alive On Arrival – A brief look at the then brand new CoCo 3 from Tandy/Radio Shack.

• CoCo 3 – Another Opinion – Another look at the CoCo 3 looking at things such as compatibility with the CoCo 2 hardware and software and the new features specific to the Coco 3.

• The M: Loader – A tutorial for creating a loader disk to speed up the use of the utilities included in MonteZuma Micro’s CP/M 2.2 software for the TRS-80 Model 4.

Apple

• Ask The Guru – Quick looks at Passport (a program for converting Apple II files on the Macintosh), the LaserWriter Plus and other laser printers, Apple IIgs compatibility problems, and more.

• Colossus Chess IV Popular Computer Chess Program – A look at this chess program for the Apple II and Commodore 64.

• The Ditgital Talking Clock – A program written in Applesoft BASIC that will make your Practical Peripherals ProClock (or other ProDOS compatible clock) talk.

• The Mysterious Slot 3 – Understanding which cards work in slot 3 on the Apple IIe when the AUX slot is occupied.

Macintosh

• MacUniverse – Question about Apple’s parts policy, a look at a terrible spell checker called Spellnow, and more.

• New SCIS External Hard DRives – Rodime releases new Rodime 20 Plus and 45 Plus external hard drives for $1295 (20 MB) and $$1695 (45 MB) respectively.

• LaserWriter Password Woes – Questions about an EEPROM access password in Apple LaserWriter printers and problems it can cause.

Commodore

• PC2COM: An IBM to Commodore Interface Standard – The second part in a series on building an inexpensive parallel adapter to allow communications between a PC and Commodore 64 equipment.

• Some Commodore Buys For 1986 – Some of the best recent hardware and software for the Commodore 64/128 including the Model 1670 1200 Baud Modem, Commodore Model 1700 and 1750 RAM Expansion cartridges, MIDI Magic, BASIC 128 from Abacus, X-10 Powerhouse, and more.

• Just Another Day In Mudanesville – A look at Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

• Inside Commodore – A look at the 64K video upgrade for the C128, technical documentation for CP/M on the C-128, upgraded ROMs for the 1571 disk drive, and more.

Amiga

• The Amiga Workbench – A look at recent games and other software for the Amiga including The Pawn, Chessmaster 2000, MaxiPlan, and more.

• The Amiga: A Computer For The Right Hemisphere – How the Amiga’s graphics and sound capabilities make it a right brain computer.

• Logistix and Superbase Personal – Logistix is a spreadsheet program comparable to Lotus 1-2-3 while Superbase is a database program (a variation of which I had on my Commodore 64).

• Organize – Database – Another database program for the Amiga.

• MiAmiga Ledger – A review of this general ledger system for the Amiga.

• Multi-Forth For The Amiga – A review of this Forth implementation for the Amiga by someone who is clearly a fan of the language.

Atari

• Applying The Atari – Questions answered about modifying some Atari BASIC assembly routines, getting your printer to print in cursive, and more.

Atari ST

• Hacking The ST – A tutorial for using the Setscreen call and switching the display area.

• Degas Elite From Batteries Included – A review of this paint program for the Atari ST.

• CP/M For The Atari ST – An emulator that allows you to run CP/M programs on your Atari ST.

• Atari ST vs. Amiga Round 2: The ST Is Superior – Part of an ongoing debate about the Atari ST vs. The Amiga. I mean, I think it is safe to say that the Amiga was superior in almost every way except perhaps when it came to MIDI, and depending on the exact time period, price.

• Starglider 3-D Combat Flight Simulation – A brief look at Starglider for the Atari ST.

• Graphics Editors For The Atari ST – A look at Typesetter ST and Rubber Stamp ST.

• Spreadsheet Package For The ST – PowerPlan – A spreadsheet for the Atari ST that features a size up to 65536×65536 cells.

Sanyo

• Market Trend Analyzer – A Microsoft BASIC program to analyze market trends for the Sanyo 55X or IBM PC (or presumably any compatible).

• Sanyo/IBM WordFun! Is Fun – A combination of two word games designed for the IBM PC but also works on the Sanyo MBC 550.

Texas Instruments

• TI Forum – New EPROM available for the Foundation 128K memory expansion card that allows it to work with Myarc Extended BASIC II software; A type-in game called CINVADERS; a look back at the TI-99/2; and more.

Heath/Zenith

• Expanding Your Heath/Zenith PC-Compatible – A guide to adding a software speed selector tot he PC-Sprint turbo board for both the PC and H/Z-150.

• Mouse Menus for Hard Disk Use – The process of installing a hard drive, controller and indicator light, and changing the cluster size on the Heath/Zenith 150 PC plus. Then what the name of article mentions, setting up a mouse controlled menu to launch programs from the hard drive.

• A New Soft-sector Disk Controller – The H-89 – A new relatively inexpensive ($249) floppy controller that allows the H-89 to use more common (and cheaper) soft sectored floppy disks.

Timex/Sinclair

• Sinclair Survival Column – A guide to SuperBASIC on the Sinclair QL.

Miscellaneous

• UNIX Operating System Case Study – This article starts with a history of UNIX and continues with a guide to UNIX that includes standard features, process creation, file system, process termination, I/O system and more.
• Modula-2 – A guide to the Modula-2 programming language.

• XENIX To AT&T Unix System V Release 3 – IBM reaches agreement with AT&T to use the features from Unix System V Release 3 in Xenix.

• Stan Veit’s History – Computer Camelot – The story of the Computer Mart of New York which when it opened it had 500 square ft. of space and included an inventory of five Sphere computers (mostly in kit form), five IMSAI computers, some 19-inch video monitors, one used Teletype ASR 33 and various computer books and magazine.

• Toshiba’s PageLaser 12 – A laser printer from Toshiba that is 50% faster than most similar printers for $3499.

• Kodak Unveils 14-inch Optical Disk Technology – This large (larger than a music record) optical disk format could hold up to 6.8 GB of data.

• The SmartWatch: Real Time Clock Control In DIP Socket – No, not the kind you wear on your wrist. This was a essentially a pass through socket that included a real-time, battery backed-up clock chip.

• New Life For An Old Printer – A new upgrade board for the Epson MX100 and other early Epson dot matrix printers that allows them to print in near letter quality.

• Bernoulli Box – A Report On Its Long Term Use – The Bernoulli Box was an external disk format that essentially used an 8-inch floppy disk encased in a hard plastic shell (think of a giant version of the standard 3.5″ disk) and in part using the Bernoulli principle, could be made much faster than a standard floppy. In fact, it was even faster than a standard XT hard drive.

• IBM’s PDS: The Joymouse! – An adapter for joysticks that, among other things, allows them to be used like a mouse.
• A Real Chinese Copy! – A look at The Great Wall 0520C PC clone from China featuring an 8088 CPU and 512K of RAM.

…and much more!