imsai 2

From: Richard Erlacher <edick_at_idcomm.com>
Date: Thu Aug 19 22:28:12 1999

-----Original Message-----
From: jpero_at_cgocable.net <jpero_at_cgocable.net>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Thursday, August 19, 1999 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: imsai 2


>> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1999 17:44:06 -0600
>> Reply-to: classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu
>> From: "Richard Erlacher" <edick_at_idcomm.com>
>> To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers"
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
>> Subject: Re: imsai 2
>> X-To: <classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
>
>> Tony, we have stores like that too, such as "CompUSA" or Circuit City.
Even
>> though their prices are often outrageously high for the "add-ons" such as
>> mice or cables, their system prices are normally in line with other
stores.
>> They have a replacement parts/upgrade components counter where things
like
>> CPU fans, video boards, etc. are sold, but you have to bring your
>> information with you. What you get there is not reliable.
>
>Those "upgrades" and loose boards on display are generic type no
>different from no-brands except for branded ones upgrade boxes.
>
>>
>> The thing that's insulting is that the prices of these items vary so
wildly
>> that one dares not to rely on being able to afford even a simple add-on
>> without first knocking over the liquor store down the street.
>
>Not how I shop. I pick out a specific brand and few models then shop
>around with that limited specifics for good price and warrenty.
>Example Asus MEL-M, one shop has it for 150 CDN 1 yr. Other shop
>has it for few dollars less and 1 year manufacter plus 2yr extra.
>So on. Beauiful board and works well on linux and winblows 95 upgrade
>ver after patched the chipset driver into winblows. :-) I own 3
>other boards by Asus. To others, sorry to hear about sucker
>problems. I think it's the wholesaler thing passing sick ones onto
>unsuspecting users. Happened on 2 occasions, once w/ asus from a
>little known vendor (sick parallel port), and once with tyan board
>from a vendor that poofed right afterwards who we contacted refused
>to resolve this problems. Their claims tested it it's fine! BULL!
>
I have a particular problem with ASUS, dating back to their '486 days which
removed them forever from my list. Whats more, their motherboards without
processor cost more than the ones I have used for some time with. I've
never seen anyone willing and able (some are willing, but not many) to
enforce the warranty.
>
>> I saw an ad a couple of days ago while shopping for motherboards, and
found
>> a "bare bones" system consisting of a motherboard, CPU (300 MHz K6)
>> enclosure, floppy drive, and power supply, for $100. This was nationally
>Snip!
>
>That barebone thing, I smell rat, avoid!
>
... and what, exactly, is wrong with the "barebone thing" pray tell? Last
time I bought barebones systems I got enough for a whole law firm. The
motherboards have been replaced for upgrades, but the boxes, drives,
keyboards, etc, are still in place.

>
>> Now, in today's high-volume, fast-paced market, I doubt there's any need
for
>> one to worry about the power supply wearing out before his hardware
becomes
>> obsolete. (These days that's when you can't even give it away any more
or
>> about a year, whichever comes first.) The cheapo fans and PSU's we've
been
>> kicking around generally last longer than that, and those fellows who
have
>
>Bzzt! I have seen 2~4 generation upgrades done in same old cases
>so can't be stated simply. Some even started out as 386 box even
>smattering of XT or 286 vinage! All those boards that came out of
>them are perfectly functional and resold on cosignment as used parts
>for other users on very small budget to upgrade their even older
>machines. Average age for a case after 4th upgrade is around 6 years
>old.
>
People in an office don't want the same old PC (remember we're looking at
the outside) they've had for more than a year.
>
>I have the cute 286 case holding 16X cdrom, Pentium 100, 'T2P4 etc
>etc and it still bears the label '286' for fun to pick on people who
>saw that case 'running' winblows. :-) Took me long time to find
>that style I liked.
>
>Wizard.
>
>> Dick
>
Received on Thu Aug 19 1999 - 22:28:12 BST