Return-Path: Received: from dhaka.mt.cs.cmu.edu by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU id aa07879; 2 Feb 92 16:06:08 EST Date: Sun, 2 Feb 1992 16:04-EST From: Robert.Frederking@DHAKA.MT.CS.CMU.EDU To: bovik@CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: '386 recommendations? Message-Id: <697064670/ref@DHAKA.MT.CS.CMU.EDU> These are the most useful responses about a cheap, decent 386 system: [I also received a strong verbal recommendation for Gateway 2000. There are apparently a number of very happy owners of these around here. Also, the "standard" system they sell isn't stripped down, but a really useful system (most places, you have to get a number of options to get a decent system.] [Other verbal recommendations included ALR, Northgate, and Zeos.] Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1992 15:03:26 -0500 (EST) From: "Joseph M. Newcomer" To: Robert Frederking Subject: Re: '386 recommendations? Almost any low-cost system will work. My own systems use $700 33MHz motherboards, although I have things like $500 graphics accelerators and $600 caching disk controllers (as well as $750 big fast disks). A reasonable 25-or-33MHz machine with VGA and 30Mb hard drive should cost < $1400. joe Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1992 15:40:40 -0500 (EST) From: "Joseph M. Newcomer" To: Robert.Frederking@DHAKA.MT.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: '386 recommendations? Actually, DAK is probably a good source; good prices and a good reputation for standing behind their products. A local company, CDR Systems (Swissvale, 351-1700) has prices in the range I mentioned as well, although my data is about 6 months old on that one. There is an upcoming computer fair at the Sheraton North (near I-79/Turnpike intersection) on Sunday, 1-Mar-92 10am-4pm which has lots of bargains, and several local companies exhibit there. The technology today is pretty reliable, except don't buy a Seagate hard drive unless you plan to lose it within a year (their reputation stinks). CDR guarantees (No/Seagates) as Denny hates 'em; he had to install a revolving door in his service department for them and now he only installs drives he *knows* have a good rep (I bought both my 200Mb IDE drives from him). joe Date: Wed, 29 Jan 92 15:42:57 EST From: Randy.Casciola@IUS4.IUS.CS.CMU.EDU To: ref@NL.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: 386 pc Don't buy a 386, buy a 486. They are only about $300 more expensive. Check out the second most recent issue of PC Magazine in E&S for a review. All of the companies reviewed have 386 machines if you or your friend insist. We (the VASC group) have just placed an order for a 486 33MHz, 8 Meg ram, 200Meg Drive, and 1024x768 graphics card for the rediculous price of only $2945 from a company in South Dakota called Gateway 2000. They have a 6 page ad in PC Magazine. I know many people who own their machines and love them. Randy P.S. I think the issue with the review in January 28, but I'm not sure. Date: Thu, 30 Jan 1992 00:04-EST From: Clay Bridges To: Robert Frederking Subject: Re: '386 recommendations? Tell him to check out Gateway 2000. They are a rock solid mail order company with excellent service. They've already sent me two new monitors (first one had a one "pixel" scratch, one was a acting only a little flakey), a new disk drive (my first one started getting noisy), et al. It might sound like their components are cheap, but they are very high quality, especially for the price (I'm just picky). Their prices are virtually unbeatable. He can get their number from 800 information, or from their inevitable ad in any random PC Mag. Cheers Clay