Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!zehntel!dual!amd!decwrl!decvax!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary From: dgary@ecsvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.micro Subject: Re: Selecting a micro Message-ID: <3047@ecsvax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 2-Aug-84 12:00:57 EDT Article-I.D.: ecsvax.3047 Posted: Thu Aug 2 12:00:57 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 5-Aug-84 05:17:40 EDT References: rocheste.519 Lines: 24 <> In comparing IBM clones, I think it's important to note display characteristics. IBM gives you a choice between its "Monochrome" display and a graphics display. The former offers good text but no graphics and the latter offers graphics but not-so-good text. The characters on the monochrome display live in a 9x14 dot matrix; those on the graphics display in an 8x8 one. Obviously, the 8x8 characters are a little more crudely-formed as a result. It is possible to use a Hercules or similar display driver card to get graphics with the better text, but with some sacrifice of compatibility with the "standard" graphics. (The Hercules card replaces the IBM Monochrome Display card.) Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Word, and other programs do support the Hercules graphics mode, however. A very nice solution is offered by Compaq with its dual-mode monitor. When the computer is in text-only mode, you get the high-quality text. When it is in a graphics mode, the display scan rate changes and you get the same characteristics as the IBM graphics display. D Gary Grady Duke University Computation Center, Durham, NC 27706 (919) 684-4146 USENET: {decvax,ihnp4,akgua,etc.}!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary