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Received: by WSUVM1 (Mailer X1.23) id 9069; Thu, 15 Jan 87 13:37:10 PLT
Date:         Thu, 15 Jan 87 13:13:35 PLT
From:         Don Howes <HOWESDW@WSUVM1>
Subject:      PC Clone Questions
To:           INFO-ATARI16@SCORE.STANFORD.EDU

I've read with some interest the postings about Atari's new line of
machines and peripherals that were announced at CES. I've got a few
questions about the announced PC clone that maybe Neil can shed some
light on.

1. I like the idea of a multi-sync monochrome monitor (that is something
   the ST could use). However, I'd like to make the suggestion (as has
   been already mentioned) that Atari consider a B/W version of their
   announced green screen monitor. For graphics use, a true grey-scale
   monitor would be a lot easier to look at. Maybe this is something
   that can be worked on and introduced later. Also, could I use my NEC
   Multisync color monitor with this system?

2. I would strongly suggest that Atari consider either bundling PC GEM
   with their machine, or make it an optional OS (along with the PC GEM
   developers kit). This would be a strong move to enhance the creation
   of GEM based software in general.

3. I'd like to know if there is room in the system box for a half-height
   hard drive (since the box is only 2" high, it has to be a half-height).
   Also, since there is no room for standard PC cards, is there hard drive
   controller circuitry on the motherboard? How big is the power supply?

4. Is there a SCSI port available as an option (since no mention was made
   of one as standard equipment in the announcement). This would really
   help in the addition of an external hard drive (especially 40M and
   larger) if one has to be added.

5. No mention was specifically made of the size of the expansion box. Will
   this box take standard PC cards. Also, (as yet another permutation) would
   there be room in the expansion box for a hard drive? Is there a tentative
   date when these boxes will be available (first quarter, second, etc.)?

I know that I'm harping on hard drives, but a lot of PC software (both
application software and development software) just doesn't run worth
beans from a floppy system (especially a single floppy system). If I got
one of these machines (and the price would be hard to beat) it would be as
a development system (for GEM) which would be pretty useless without a hard
drive.

Hopefully, Neil (or someone at Atari) can provide some answers to these
questions.

Don Howes (HOWESDW@WSUVM1)