A Buyer's Guide To Personal Business Computers

 

SYSTEM TOTAL $3,995

SOFTWARE: Because it is a CP/M-based system, there is an almost unlimited selection of software.

OTHER COMMENTS: Excluding the printer, the Superbrain is self-contained.

NEC AMERICA INC.,

1401 Estes Ave.,

Elk Grove Village, IL 60007,

(312) 228-5900

1. Computer PC-8012A with 8012A $2,090

2. Working memory 64K Included

3. Mass storage 160K/disk 1,295

4. Video display 12-inch B/W (25 rows, 285

80 characters)

5. Printer high-speed dot matrix 795

6. Operating system CP/M 150

SYSTEM TOTAL $4,615

SOFTWARE: Almost unlimited selection with CP/M operating system.

OTHER COMMENTS: The NEC PC-8000 is a new system designed to produce high-quality color graphics with a more expensive video monitor.

OHIO SCIENTIFIC,

1333 South Chillicothe Rd.,

Aurora, OH 44202,

(800) 321-6850

1. Computer C-4PMF $2,295

2. Working memory 48K Included

3. Mass storage 85K/disk Included

4. Video display 12-inch B/W 149

5. Printer dot matrix 774

(requires interface)

6. Operating system OS-65U&D Included

SYSTEM TOTAL $3,218

SOFTWARE: Limited selection of programs written in BASIC.

OTHER COMMENTS: The C-4PMF is designed to produce color graphics when connected to a standard color TV with the proper, low-cost interface.

OSBORNE COMPUTER CORP.,

26500 Corporate Ave.,

Haywood, CA 94545,

(415) 887-8080

1.Computer Osbornel $1,795

2. Working memory 64K Included

3. Mass storage 102K/disk Included

4. Video display 5-inch B/W (24 rows, Included

52 characters)

5. Printer user supplied 500

6. Operating system CP/M Included

SYSTEM TOTAL $2,295

SOFTWARE: An almost unlimited selection with CP/M operating system. The computer comes standard with software that, if purchased separately, would cost about $1,500.

OTHER COMMENTS: The Osborne I is a new, portable computer that weighs about 24 pounds. Supply is limited with a four-to-six-month waiting time.

RADIO SHACK DIVISION,

Tandy Corp.,

1900 One Tandy Center,

Fort Worth, TX 76102,

(817) 390-3700

1. Computer TRS-80 Model III $2,495

2. Working memory 48K Included

3. Mass storage 175K/disk Included

4. Video display 12-inch B/W (16 rows, Included

32 characters)

5. Printer TRS Line Printer VII 399

(dot matrix)

6. Operating system TRSDOS Included

SYSTEM TOTAL $2,894

1. Computer TRS-80 Model II $3,899

2. Working memory 64K Included

3. Mass storage 416K/disk Included

4. Video display 12-inch B/W (24 rows, Included

80 characters)

5. Printer TRS Line Printer VII 799

6. Operating system TRSDOS Included

SYSTEM TOTAL $4,698

SOFTWARE: Like Apple, Radio Shack has developed extensive software for both models of the TRS-80, including VisiCalc.

OTHER COMMENTS: Radio Shack has the largest unit-volume market share in personal computers. The Model III's priceperformance ratio is competitive with just about any personal business computer on the market, while the Model II is able to run more complex software packages.

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC.,

Box 5474,

Dallas, TX 75222,

(214) 995-2481

1. Computer TI 99/4A $525

2. Working memory 48K (with memory module) 400

3. Mass storage 90K/disk (with several 800

modules)

4. Video display 10-inch color (24 rows, 374

28 characters)

5. Printer thermal 400

6. Operating system TI DOS Included

SYSTEM TOTAL $2,499

SOFTWARE: Texas Instruments has a limited selection of business programs available on plastic modules, and more complex business packages available on disks.

OTHER COMMENTS: The TI 99/4A comes with a standard keyboard (which an earlier model, the TI 99/4, didn't) and a reasonably priced color monitor. It produces good graphics and sound at a reasonable price.

XEROX CORP.,

1341 W. Mockingbird Lane,

Dallas, TX 75247,

(214) 689-6000

1. Computer Model 820 $2,995

2. Working mermory 64K Included

3.Mass storage 81K/disk Included

4. Video display 12-inch B/W (24 rows, Included

80 characters)

5. Printer user supplied 500

6. Operating system CP/M-80 200

SYSTEM TOTAL $3,695

SOFTWARE: An almost unlimited selection with CP/M operating system.

OTHER COMMENTS: The Model 820 is a high-quality, low-price machine, backed by Xerox's extensive service organization. Xerox's use of CP/M for the 820 in many ways made CP/M the de facto operating system for personal business computers.

ZENITH DATA SYSTEMS INC.,

1000 Milwaukee Ave.,

Glenview, IL 60025,

(312) 391-7000

1. Computer Z-89 $2,895

2. Working memory 64K (with 16K module) 150

3. Mass storage 100K/disk Included

3. Video display 12-inch B/W (25 rows, Included

80 characters)

5. Printer user supplied 500

6. Operating system CP/M Included

SYSTEM TOTAL $3,545

SOFTWARE: An almost unlimited selection run with the CP/M operating system.

OTHER COMMENTS: The Z-89 gets high marks for reliability and is extensively service supported

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