From: Donald.Wen@f201.n914.z8.rbbs-net.ORG (Donald Wen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Review on my Deskpro/i
Date: 15 Oct 92 05:24:40 GMT

On 10/6/92, I got my Compaq Deskpro 433i.  It had been a 3 1/2-week
wait but it seemed worth it.  (Yes, both Prolineas and Deskpro/i's,
came out in mid-June, are still in short supply.)  The machine is
a 486DX/33, with 4Mb of 80ns RAM soldered to the motherboard, a 210
Mb (202 Mb formatted capacity) Conner 32016 IDE with a 16 ms access
time (don't know if it has a cache, though), and a 1.44 Mb floppy. 
The system can be expanded to 32 Mb RAM, using a combination of 1,
2, 4, or 8 Mb SIMMs.  Ordinary AT clone SIMMs cannot be used,
though, because the Compaq SIMMs sport a 72-pin connector, the same
type used by Deskpro/Ms.  So, I won't be able to take advantage of
the LOW prices of 4MbX9 80ns SIMMs for ATs (less than $100), but
the price differences are about $40, so the extra premium doesn't
look too bad.  Anyone know of good prices for Compaq SIMMs for
Deskpro/i's?

There are three 16-bit expansion slots inside the low-profile case. 
While it sounds skimpy compared to regular AT clones (typically
equipped with five to eight slots), both the video and I/O ports
are already integrated onto the motherboard.  The whole setup is
similar to the ALR Flyer and Dell P series.  The expandability
should be adequate for most home users and businesses: I used two
slots for a PPI 14.4 fax/modem and an interface card of Logitech
Scanman 256.

The system can be upgraded to a 486DX2/66.  In fact, you can start
with 386SX25 and move all the way up to the 66MHz chip, but I
bought the 433 model 210 because it comes standard with the big HD. 
Other models can be ordered with bigger HDs, but only through an
authorized dealer: I got mine by mail order.

The 486 models can be upgraded with a 64K, two-way, set-
associative, write-back cache, for a list price of $239.  It
sounded pretty steep, so I would rather opt for more Megs of RAM.

The video uses Compaq's own QVision controller, with 512K VRAM
standard (256 colors at VGA) and expandable to 1Mb (32K colors at
VGA.)  Despite the fact that it does not incorporate local bus
technology, it still flies under DOS AND Windows, something that
most S3-based Windows accelerators cannot touch.  (That might
change with ATI's upcoming Graphics Ultra Pro.)  As of now, Compaq
has only written Windows 3.1 drivers for QVision w/512K VRAM, so
I'll chug along until new drivers are available.  Using PC
Magazine's Windows Benchmark Test v2.51, the results are:

               Resolution          Winmark
               640X480X16          13594585
               640X480X256         12744280
               800X600X16          14506192
               1024X768X16         15803653

By comparison, a Compaq 386/25e running in VGA mode scores a
Winmark of 1676475.  I also used QAPlus v4.21 to run some benchmark
tests:

               CPU speed           22758 Dhrystones
               Video               47337 CPS
               Math                5711.5K Whetstones

The system comes with a host of handy utilities.  To begin with,
MS-DOS 5.0 as published by Compaq is already installed on the hard
drive.  It has some enhancements to the OS, including a GUI help
manual by typing HELP (regular MS-DOS only gives you C:>\,) and
Compaq's own memory manager, CEMM.  The setup utility helps you to
format and partition your HD, all done via its GUI.  It is easy to
set up a 80 Mb C: drive and a 122 Mb D: drive, but I still have to
go to C:> prompt to do FORMAT D: after partition.

There are also support diskettes for DOS, WIndows, and OS/2.  The
diskette for Windows add sound drivers to the Business Audio
included in the Deskpro/i series, as well as a WCURSOR utility to
blow up the cursor size in higher resolution mode.  The OS/2
diskette is not shipped with the unit "due to the worldwide
shortage of 3 1/2" diskettes," but users can call a toll-free
number and request for one: I certainly did, because I intend to
install OS/2 2.0 as a dual-boot machine.

Oh, about the I/O ports, there is a serial, parallel, video, and a
PS/2 mouse port.  I ran Windows' MSD Diagnostics utility, and Com1
port shows a 16550AF UART.  On the contrary, a PC Week 10/5/92
issue did a review of 486/33 machines from companies like ALR, DEC,
Dell (Dimension), and IBM (PS/1).  All sport a 16450 UART.  Talk
about skimping!

Overall, the Deskpro/i is a full-featured, high performance, and
competitively priced machine.  I would like to hear comments from
all of you.

DONALD WEN


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