From: scottw@boulder.Central.Sun.COM (Scott Wiesner)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: SUMMARY:  Which Mac Should I Buy?
Date: 16 Oct 92 08:24:50 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Distribution: world
Reply-To: scottw@boulder.Central.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: boulder.central.sun.com


I'd like to thank all the people who took the time to respond to my 
request about what Mac I should consider buying.  I'd also like to thank 
the owners of Amigas, Ataris, PCs, etc., for not trying to convince me 
that their computer is far better for my needs.  :-)  I had about a dozen
replys, and since this is probably of interest to a number of people,
I'm posting a summary of responses.

> it's time for me to break
> down and get a machine for home use.  Main uses will be word
> processing, terminal emulation, financial management, and games.
> There's no question in my mind that the Mac is the right choice for
> this home "information appliance", but the question is, which Mac?
> 
> Since I won't be doing anything "high end", and I don't want to spend a
> fortune, I've been thinking about the low end machines.  I've always
> had a fondness for the "classic" versions.  Other than the obvious,
> am I losing anything by not having color?  Are there any Mac programs
> (including games) that require either color or the higher resolution
> found on the color screens?  

Most people thought the "toaster" Mac screens were usable, but the
extra pixels available on an LC screen were a big advantage.  There
are games that require both the larger screen and color.  Several
people mentioned that Apple sells a 640x480 monochrome monitor that
has a price of about $200 to use with the LC if the color monitor is
too expensive.  I've seen the new Performa monitors.  The standard 
one with a .39 dot pitch is not something I'd consider.  The better
one with the .29 dot pitch wasn't too bad.  I know the Apple 13"
Trinitron screen is nice, but it costs about $550.  I read that they're
going to replace it with a new 14" screen on October 19.

> Is 4MB of RAM enough for the kind of work I'll do?  

Everyone agreed that for my proposed uses, 4MB was fine.  Several 
people pointed out that RAM was cheap, and I can add more later if
I need to.  Some of the more feature full programs like the latest
version of MS Word are apparently a bit cramped in 4MB, but for my
uses, and especially if I use one of the integrated packages, 4MB
should do it.

> Is 80 MB of disk enough to have a usable system?  

Again, there was almost universal agreement that this was fine.  For
a Classic or LC, where you're not doing QuickTime stuff, etc., this
should be a reasonable amount of room.

> What are the going prices for Classic II's, LC II's, etc., 

I didn't get much response to this, but I called Whole Earth Computers
in the Bay Area and got quotes of $1095 for a Classic II 4/80 and
$1219 for the LC II 4/80.  To the LC, you'd have to add $89 for the
keyboard to make it comparible to the Performa 400's hardware. I've
seen the Performa 200 for $1200 and the 400 for $1500 at Sears bundled
with ClarisWorks.  I was starting to think Mac prices were getting
reasonable, but this morning I saw Silo is selling an IBM PS/1 with
2MB RAM, 80MB disk, 386SX/25, a color monitor, Windows, and Quicken
for $1000.  You still pay a premium for a Mac.  

> Is anything missing on the Performas?
> Macworld mentions "DAL" not being included.  What is it?  

DAL is the "Data Access Language" used in DBMS programs.  No word on 
anything else that might not be included on a Performa.

> How many  different bundles are there?  I've seen mention of GreatWorks 
> and ClarisWorks.  Are these "Works" packages any good?

People generally felt that the Works packages are reasonable for light
home use.  

> Do all Macs (including Performas) come with Hypercard 

New Macs (and Performas) apparently come with a Hypercard "reader".  You're
no longer able to create your own stacks.

> and the ability to read and write DOS floppies?  

Yes.  System 7 comes with the ability to read and write DOS floppies.  
There are additional products that let you actually mount a DOS floppy
on your desktop.

> What internet machines contain archives of PD and shareware software?  

sumex-aim.stanford.edu, mac.archive.umich.edu, and rascal.utexas.edu.

> Is there any general concensus
> on additional software that's a "must" for any Mac user?

There were almost no responses to this.  I guess I'll just have to 
check the archives.  Is there a FAQ for this group?

> What's the net wisdom on Mac-related magazines?  I've seen MacWorld and
> MacUser.  Is it a toss-up between the two?  Are the any other magazines
> to consider?

People generally felt MacWorld and MacUser were about the same.  If I
were interested in programming, MacTutor would be the right magazine
to read.  A few people mentioned MacWeek.  If you don't qualify for
a free subscription, it costs $100/year.

Again, thanks for the responses.  I'll be watching prices for a bit and
looking for what's announced on October 19.  I'm leaning toward the 
Performa 400 at the moment.  My wife thinks we should just get the 600CD
when it comes out and be done with it.  I prefer to agonize over such
decisions a bit more than she does.  :-)

Scott Wiesner
SunSoft
Boulder, Colorado