🚀 go-pugleaf

Thanks to those who responded to my request for info on Comtrade local
bus machines.  Since the volume of responses was small, I'm posting them
intact.  The consensus seems to be that the machines sound good, but the
video card claims are suspicious.  No ringing endorsements or roaring
flames, and only two actual customers.

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From: faruque@sun.soe.clarkson.edu (Abdullah Faruque)
 
I also saw that ad in BYTE. But I do not think it is VESA standard
local bus.  They did not mention clearly that the local bus is of VESA
standard. Only word they mention related to VESA is that the monitor
supports VESA standard, which is totally different issue and does not
mean that the local bus is also VESA standard. They wrote the ad in a
very cleaver way. Look at the ad carefully and you will also notice
that on the right hand side they described the good points about their
new 32-bit local bus, but never mentioned the word VESA. Also, VESA
local bus can run only upto 33Mhz (which is the current VESA standard,
as far as I know). But they also advertised 486/50DX (for $2095) under
the same category (if it is a true 50Mhz machine then it can not be a
VESA local bus type). So, I think they use any other proprietary
standard for these machines. Call them to make sure what standard they
are using for their local bus. Hope that helps.
 
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From: dbeeman@dogstar.colorado.edu (Dave Beeman)
 
Comtrade has been around for a few years and use quality components.  When I
visited their operation in LA a few years ago, it was definitely a
low-overhead operation, run out of a unit in an industrial park.  However,
they seemed competetent and helpful.
 
I phoned them about a month ago to ask about their 486 with the Viper card,
aand they said that they were shipping them and generally ship within a
week.  I didn't pin them down about exactly what video card htey are using.
If this is the card with the S3 86C803 chip, this isn't surprising.  Actix
and Orchid are now selling VL bus cards with this chip.
 
I decided to go with a local clone builder instead of using mail order, but
the Comtrade system certainly looked like a good deal.  I suggest that you
call their toll free number and ask for more information.
 
One other suggestion - the 17" monitor which comes with their high end
systems is an inexpensive CTX model.  It would be worth the extra $240 to
upgrade to a MAG 17F.
 
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From: Jonathan Chow <chow@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
 
I ordered a couple of Comtrade 486/33 vlb machines.  They DON'T have
the Diamond Viper card!!  They use either the STB Powergraph 24VL or
the Stealth 24VL.  I asked for clarification after reading about
the Diamond Viper; they basically said that they've been using the
"Viper" name longer than Diamond, and that "viper" was the name
for what ever card they chose to put in the system.
 
They said they're still testing the Diamond Viper in their systems and
may ship systems with the DV next month.  Supposedly it'll cost $300 more.
By then they might have to lowere their prices anyway.
 
Their systems are ok I suppose.  I still trying to trouble shoot one which
seems to be hanging in windows apps... tech support seems a little arrogant
and not much help so far.  The quality of their cases are pretty good (i.e
compared to Gateway 2000 cases), and they use CTX monitors, tho I opted
to get Nanao's instead.
 
Let me know if I can be of help.  Would I buy from Comtrade again...?
I'm not too sure.

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From: froelich@mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu (Bill Froelich)
 
I've recently started looking seriously at the Comtrade machines, specifically
the EISA Dream Machine listed in Jan 18th PC Week.  I'd love to see anything
you get about Comtrade.  This machine was reviewed in PC Mag land Jan issue
(one testing 70+ 486DX2/66 machines) but the ad I am looking at has better
options and VESA standard Local bus.  Price seems too good to be true.
DO remember +$90 for full tower case, and $70 shipping for the system.
Otherwise unless I find something bad soon, I will probably go with one.
 
Oh yeah, the other thing was no on board mouse port and the 1P/2S ports are
on a IDE card.  Serial ports are 16450 NOT 16550 add $60 for 16550 chip.
 
Hope this is useful.

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From: duvall@noao.edu (Tom Duvall)
 
I bought a 486/33 system from Comtrade about a year ago (before local bus)
and have been very pleased with it.  I've had no trouble at all.
 
--
        -jeffB (Jeff Brandenburg, Va. Tech CS)