From: spagiola@frinext.stanford.edu (Stefano Pagiola)
Subject: Re: Considering getting an SGI indigo
Reply-To: spagiola@frinext.stanford.edu
Organization: DSO, Stanford University
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 92 16:32:03 GMT

Jimmy Buffet writes:
> I currently own a 486-50 EISA and am running OS/2 2.0.
> Regardless of where I run, I can't seem to do everything I
> want.  OS/2 is the closest I've gotten, but its lack of apps
> (especially graphics) is very, very annoying.  I love the
> operating system however.  So, right now, I'm looking at
> scraping together every cent I can and getting an SGI machine,
> probably the Indigo. I have a large number of questions, some
> which should not be crossposted like this, but deal with it,
> I'm tired. 

Have you considered either getting a NeXT or waiting till early next  
year and getting NeXTSTEP 486 for your 486?  Either of these would  
give you a great OS at a much lower price than an Indigo.   True, a  
NeXT isn't going to be quite as blazing hot as an Indigo in terms of  
graphics, but you should still be doing quite well.  The display is  
driven by Display PostScript, so what you see is really what you get;  
PS Level 2 is bundled; the Pantone color matching system is bundled;  
Photorealistic renderman is bundled.  You don't specify what kind of  
graphics you want to do.  But there are already are several drawing  
apps (including Illustrator); 3 image manipulation and 2 3D modellers  
are currently in beta.  If you're into programming, use the bundled  
3D graphics kit (based on renderman) to develop your own app.

Your questions, modified to apply to NeXT:
> 
> 1/2.	Does (will) NT run on an NeXT?  the supposed portable OS/2?

No.  But then, that would defeat the whole point of getting one.  On  
the other hand, if you go the NS486 route, you can always bail out  
and install NT or OS/2 if NS486 doesn't do what you want.

> 3.	How is current dos emulation (SoftPC, I assume) on the
> machine? Now, I know this sounds REALLY bad for someone thinking
> of buying such a high-end (or low-end, depending on your point of
> view  :)  ) machine, but will most games run quickly enough in
> Soft PC?  What kind of graphic emulation is there?
> 
SoftPC is available for NeXT. Its fine for most things but not for  
graphics-intensive apps, for which it is much too slow.  Games are a  
non-starter on it.  I believe this is equally true of SoftPC on other  
platforms.  The emulation is essentially of an EGA 286.  A new  
version is supposed to ship soon, but so far its only vapor.  A mac  
emulator is also available.

> 4.	What type of ray-tracers are available that aren't your usual
> 	50 bizillion dollar packages?  (I'd settle for half a
>       bizillion)? Animation capabilities?
> 
As mentioned above, at least 2 3D modelers are in beta.  I've seen  
one, and it looks pretty close to ship.

> 6.	What is the operating system like?  I assume some Unix clone
> 	running X.  What implementation of X, if I'm corrent?
> 
Fantastic.  You'll wonder how you could have spent all that time in  
Windows.  NeXTSTEP based on Unix (and you can use raw unix if you  
want) but has a completely graphical OS on top.  Multi-tasking, of  
course.  The OS makes heavy use of object-orientation.  X is also  
available (both PD and commercial) if you want to use any X apps.   
But don't take my word for it: go see one, and spend some time  
playing with it.


> 8.	If anyone has techincal specs on the lower end SGI machines
>       (Indigo, Magnum (whatever the hell it is), etc...) and
>       pricing info, I would REALLY appreciate it.  Does SGI have
>       an educational discount policy?
> 
You can get technical info on NeXT from 1-800-TRY-NEXT.  Edu  
discounts are substantial.

usual disclaimers.  Just a happy customer.
--
-
Stefano Pagiola
Food Research Institute, Stanford University
spagiola@frinext.stanford.edu (NeXTMail encouraged)

Newsgroups: comp.os.ms-windows.advocacy