TRANSWARP GS review
By Michael Graf
Copyright (c) 1990 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
As many Apple //gs users will recognize, one of the shortcomings of the GS is its speed. Granted that it runs 2.8 times faster than the older Apple //'s, the GS still seemed to crawl when in the GSOS/Apple desktop environment. Many times, whilst using a true desktop word processor, the
user would see the cursor desperately trying to catch up with the letters typed; or the Finder, slowly opening and closing windows.
However, no longer need we aimless wait. With Transwarp GS, any Apple //gs can be "accelerated" to a top speed of 7 megahertz (the standard Apple ][ runs at 1 MHz, the GS at either 1 MHz or 2.8 MHz), through clever usage of a faster CPU chip and memory caching. This card, from Applied Engineering, can be used in either slot 3 or 4 (as an "invisible" card, allowing normal functioning of that slot) and is similar to the Transwarp card (also from AE) for the Apple //e or //c.
In terms of compatibility, the card is said to be virtually 100% compatible and I have not as yet found a program which does not work with it. There are problems with some programs which disable interrupts, but they can be reduced through software configuration of the card. The Transwarp GS comes with full instructions on installation and usage and has a Classic Desk Accessory (which is automatically loaded on booting) for alteration of speed, configuration details and self-testing, which can easily be accessed by simply pressing OA-Ctrl-Esc.
The installation process is not difficult, although care should be taken to follow the instructions. By simply removing the CPU chip and replacing it with the chip and Transwarp card supplied, the GS can suddenly be accelerating within minutes. And then there's no turning back.........
Be sure, however, to carefully put your old CPU chip away, in case you might need it one day and also note the orientation before you remove it, in case you might want to put it back.
Having run some "timing" tests, Transwarp GS comes out as a winner, being up to 2.5 times faster than the fast-mode GS and 7 times faster than an Apple ][. The Transwarp GS card performs two main speed-up actions:
* caching is used so that often used calls are kept in a faster
area of memory and can thus be more quickly performed.
* a faster CPU, which allows increased processing speed.
Together, these can reduce the time taken for much of the computer's processing, including window updates, quickdraw calls; time taken to run a BASIC program; appleworks re-calculations/replacements; etc. The only thing that Transwarp does not speed up is disk I/O (input/output), which must be performed at a constant rate, and screen updates; these two should be handled by Apple.
The advantages of the extra speed are obvious; however, there may be an occasional need to do without it (eg: in some games) and after a quick trip to the Classic Desk Accessories Panel, all is well.
Who needs the card ? Well, the GS had two "slow" aspects. Transwarp GS fixes the memory speed up, whilst a good hard drive would help in speeding up of disk read/writes. I believe that Transwarp GS is a great accessory, although for the GS, more memory and, perhaps, a hard drive are more essential. With it, the GS can finally lose that old title, 'G'oing 'S'low and become 'G'reatly 'S'peeded-up.
Transwarp GS details
Manufactured by Applied Engineering, $US 399.00
Usable in slots 3 or 4, without overriding slot function.
Built in diagnostics, CDA, etc.
Distributed in Australia by Two Series Software for $599.00.
Two Series Software
P.O. Box 1
West Hoxton NSW 2171
02-606-9343

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