4 ms·
Regarding the PS/2 Model 30 using an 8086, it's important to remember that average consumers didn't quickly adopt the latest microprocessors like they do today,
by simmons 4y ago
Regarding the PS/2 Model 30 using an 8086, it's important to remember that average consumers didn't quickly adopt the latest microprocessors like they do today, and it was very common for manufacturers to use much older chips in newer products. Hardware was expensive, and the latest hardware was crazy expensive -- the PS/2 Model 30 with its 8086 had a list price of $2,295 ($5,952 in today's dollars), while the contemporary PS/2 Model 80 with its 80386 was $6,995 ($18,142 in today's dollars!). Also, the software commonly in use on IBM compatibles at that time (i.e. DOS) wasn't particularly suited for taking advantage of the newer hardware.
My school had a number of 8086-based PS/2 Model 25's. By the time I used them in 1991, they had been retired to second-tier labs, but they were still perfectly usable for checking email, word processing, telnet to the UNIX server, and some light games. (I remember Star Control ran particularly well on its quasi-VGA "MCGA" graphics.)
- kragen 4y agoTo be fair, with Contiki, a Commodore 64 is also usable for checking email, word processing, telnet to a Unix server (if you don't really need 80 columns), and games, even though it's much slower than the Model 30 or Model 25 and has less RAM.
- simmons 4y agoIndeed! I'm familiar with Contiki, and have even done a bit of Contiki programming for fun. :) Sadly, it wasn't around back then, but it's fascinating to see how more value can be squeezed out of old systems. These particular PS/2 Model 25's probably had an edge on the C64, though. Having proper Ethernet cards and access to Netware servers allowed loading applications a lot faster than, say, a 1541 disk drive. Although my present-day C64 with Ethernet adapter, SD2IEC, etc., might could give it a run for its money. :)