🚀 go-pugleaf

I have seen several inquiries in this group for Computer Care's Softstep
products. Mr. John DePew of Computer Care paid a visit to our local
Macintosh user group to show his wares. At the risk of sounding like a
commercial pitch, here is a summary of the info on their products.

Computer Care, Inc. is located here in Minneapolis at:
5124 Russell Ave
South Minneapolis, MN 55410

Their phone is (800) 950-CARE  [ (800) 950-2273 ] 
In Minnesota, call (612) 920-2273

They are a $1 million company that produce and sell memory enhancement
products for all Macintoshes. At present, they have 5 major products for
expanding your memory by making use of the memory SIMMs you already have.
Prices are current as of March 1, 1989:

Softstep I:  is a 2 meg upgrade for the Mac Plus/SE. It is a 256K SIMM
with a socket that accepts the factory installed 256K SIMMs. No
modifications are required and the SOFTSTEP I is completely transferable
from the Plus to the SE. The computer recognizes the full 2 megabyte
upgrade providing an excellent alternative to using 1 meg SIMMs. 
Cost:  $425 / 4 module set.

SOFTSTEP II:  is an upgrade for the Mac II/IIx. It uses the existing SIMMs
to give you up to 8 megabytes of memory without  replacing your 256K SIMMs.
SOFTSTEP II packs 3/4 meg plus control circuitry on to each module. The
256K SIMMs are connected to the SOFTSTEP II to complete a 1 meg SIMM. The
speed remains at 120 ns. 
Cost:  $950 / 4 module set.

(This was a very popular product last summer and fall during the height of
the memory shortage. Even at its now reduced price, it has become less cost
effective)

SOFTSTEP III:  is a module with no onboard memory for the Mac II or IIx.
The user attaches 4 256K SIMMs (120 ns) to each module to build 1 meg SIMMs
for the Mac II or IIx. Each module has 4 SIMM sockets and control circuitry
to complete the upgrade. The module, with the SIMMs installed, is inserted
into the SIMM sockets on the motherboard as usual. 
Cost:  $60 / module;  $195 / 4 modules.

(This provides a nice upgrade for Mac IIs that are full of 256K SIMMs.
With 2 modules, you can stuff your 2 megabytes into 2 SIMM slots, and add 2
more 1M SIMMs for a total of 4 megabytes. You cannot have a full height
internal disk installed with these - only half height. When Apple updates
the System software to recognize > 8 megabytes, I believe that you will be
able to use this to build a 4 megabyte SIMM out of 4 1M SIMMs to enable
creation of a 16 or 32 megabyte system.)

SOFTSTEP IV:  is a module with no onboard memory for the Mac Plus. The user
supplies 4 additional 256K SIMMs with the SOFTSTEP IV to build a 2 megabyte
upgrade for the Plus. Cost:  $169 / 4 module set.

SOFTSTEP V:  is a module eith no onboard memory for the Mac SE.  The user
supplies 4 additional 256K SIMMs with the SOFTSTEP V to build a 2 megabyte
upgrade for the SE. Cost:  $169 / 4 module set.

They say there is no excessive heat or power consumption with any of these
upgrades and speed is not sacrificed. They also have standard 1 meg SIMMs
available at $265 for DIP and $285 for low profile. Warranty on all
products is 1 year unconditional.

At present, they say they are the only company doing this kind of thing.
They are considering additional products such as a low cost SCSI module to
create a RAM disk, print buffer modules, or RAM spooler modules.

That's the basic scoop. This information was copied from a product brochure,
so if you have any additional questions, contact Computer Care. 
No matter what your system, including older 512K,
512KE, systems with accelerator boards, etc., give them a call and
describe your circumstances to see if you can  make a cost effective
upgrade. There's a home yet for that orphan memory!
Dennis Fazio                  Footnet:  ETA Systems Inc.  ETC03D 
Internet:  dfazio@eta.com               1450 Energy Park Dr.     
Gabnet:    (612) 642-3578               St. Paul, MN  55108