Mail-From: CMUFTP host CMU-CS-G received by CMU-CS-A at 24-Jan-83 13:46:58-EST
Date: 17 January 1983 2057-EST (Monday)
From: Gary@CMU-CS-G, Feldman at CMU-CS-A
To: Mike.Horowitz at CMU-CS-G
Subject: Re: PC recommendations
In-Reply-To: <1983.1.18.1.20.55.Mike.Horowitz@CMU-CS-G>
Message-Id: <17Jan83 205745 GF20@CMU-CS-A>

For someone who "just wants to learn to use computers," but really thinks
that the Timex/Sinclair $99 computer is too much of a toy, I think the best
bet is to invest $30-70 in a local community college course intended for
such purposes.  (Both Allegheny Community College and Pitt's Informal Program
offer such courses, for example.)  This would not only help your father get
started, but would help him determine his needs and thus be better able to
choose the right machine.

Barring that, and assuming your father is sure he does not want to buy huge
quantities of good quality software, nor do word processing, nor maintain 
any moderately sized database, I think the best price class is the $300-400
range, with the Vic, Commodore, Atari 400, and Texas Instruments machines
(and maybe one of the Radio Shack machines).  I believe Vic has the best 
price for performance, while TI is trying to do a good job on their software.
I have never used any of these machines, so I really can't be more
specific.  Quite frankly, I don't think any of the technical differences
among the machines justifies any policy other than buying the cheapest.
However, the feel of the keyboard and the clarity of the display are 
significant, so I would urge you father to go try them out and pay 
attention to the little stuff, ignoring the vast array of useless programs 
for some machines.  Computer Stores are generally pretty good about 
letting you play with the machines.  The other factor to consider is service,
for which Radio Shack is undoubtedly the most convenient.

I hope this has been of some help; as you can see I don't have strong feelings
of the sort Computer X is junk, while Y is great, at least not at this level.

   Gary