PC95 Peripheral Review
By Andrew Roughan
Copyright (c) 1995 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
I keep going to PC shows to look for peripheral bargains. With three different computer camps in my house I try to keep things interchangeable. Since I was at a PC show, the problems were likely to be the Macintosh and the Apple IIgs.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that enquiries about whether a product worked on the Macintosh were usually "Yes". At previous PC shows the response has been less than positive.
This years PC show was overrun with Modem manufacturers all offering show specials. Avtek seemed to be the winners with a V34 unit selling for $499. Internet access seemed to be offered from the same stands as the modems. The worst deal I found was Microplex selling a package of 35 hours access ($4 per hour) plus the registration fee ($25) for $199!!! It certainly pays to read the fine print.
The usual plethora of PC sound and video cards were being displayed, but by looking beside the machines I managed to find an array of speakers. Most of the really professional displays were using Bose (read $$$) but one particular cheaper set caught my eyes and ears: Media Myths, (80w pmpo, separate treble, bass and volume controls) available from Powersource Computer (02)744-5826 for $95.
There were various printer wars being staged around the hall. The HP540 DeskJet including the colour option was going for $569 from Harvey Norman. Drivers exist for the HP DeskJet range for the Apple IIgs so I concentrated on finding a Macintosh solution. The dealers all said that it was possible with the PowerPrint option. It wasn't until I talked to the Apple people that I heard the downside: The PowerPrint drivers are not very good, and they don't do colour. In other words, try before you buy.
I did manage to find some Apple II specific software at the show! Apple's eWorld, which was available for demonstration, holds the latest System Software for the Apple II series.
So which bargain did I actually put my money on? 270MB Syquest cartridges for $109 from Harvey Norman. The nice Syquest people even threw a cap and poster into the deal.
I've been keeping an eye on the progress of the Sony data minidisk because it may prove to be the replacement of the floppy drive. None actually made it to the show, but the Sony representative who I spoke to said that they were in the country. He said that the current model may need some revision before it takes over the world. I tend to agree with him if the retail price is anywhere near the $1000 mark he quoted for a 140MB device. However the word was to wait until June for the release of a new magneto optical unit which will compete directly on price and storage capacity with the Syquest.
If you're in the market for a new peripheral you will certainly save some money if you purchase at the shows.

THIS CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2007, APPLE MACINTOSH USERS' GROUP, SYDNEY
Permission has been obtained to make this material available on the Internet.

Permission is hereby granted for non-profit user groups to republish this content.
PLEASE CREDIT THE AUTHOR AND THE SOURCE: Applecations, publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia

THIS PAGE COPYRIGHT © 2007, ANDREW ROUGHAN