What's new out there in the PC world?

What's new out there in the PC world?

By Zatni Arbi

JAKARTA (JP): As if to make it more difficult to find a truly
convincing answer to my inquiry into the future of chosen
platforms, here's a piece of news from the big blue: IBM is
releasing Version 3.0 of OS/2, which it calls "Warp". Warp will
be playing in IBM dealers near you sooner and cheaper than you'd
think. It will even be playing in any PS machines as well as
machines from companies such as ALR that people buy in the near
future, as IBM will preload Warp in the systems that it sells and
a number of computer makers have expressed their commitment to
including this graphical operating system in their offerings.

One of the most highlighted aspects of OS/2 Warp is that it
will run on a 386-based machine with only 4 MB of RAM. Now, as
always is the case, you shouldn't take the claim of 4 MB minimum
requirements at face value. Today, RAM requirements are applica
tion-dependent rather than operating system-dependent. Even
though MS Windows 3.1 runs smoothly on any 386 or better machine
with 4 MB of RAM, it is the applications such as WPWin and
Winword that jack up the requirement to present-day standard of 8
MB.

Nevertheless, a true 32-bit OS with a preemptive multitasking
capability and supports for object oriented operation, as well as
plug-and-play, is certainly worth looking at seriously. I'm very
lucky to receive a pre-release version of Warp that I'll install
right after I finish writing this article -- of course, I don't
want to take any risk of ruining my current system before I'm
sure I've met the deadline. I'll certainly present my report to
you in an upcoming article.

In the meantime, here's good news you shouldn't ignore: USI
IBM will be giving public demos of OS/2 Warp at Le Meridien
Hotel, Jakarta, on October 26, 1994. Jot it down on your calen
dar. The list price for the product that comes in around 35
diskettes or two CD ROMs is US$ 129.00. Not bad!

An HP Update

People don't seem to ever sleep at the R&D departments of this
laser-printer king. The latest offerings from HP comprise two
advanced versions of the current 4 generation, i.e., HP LaserJet
4V and 4MV. Both are targeted for use in work-group settings.

The 4V features capability to print on paper with sizes up to
11 by 17 inches (A3), an optional internal hard disk, 600 by 600
DPI print resolution (which is common to all but the lowest end
of the 4 generation), 16 page-per-minute (ppm) printing speed for
sizes up to "Executive" size, and comprehensive network flexi
bility. The 4MV, as you can easily guess, is network-ready. The
4V can be equipped with a JetDirect network interface card and it
will then become a 4MV. List price for LaserJet 4V is US$ 2,630,
and 4MV is US$ 3,850.

In addition to these two new laser printers, HP has also
released the new ScanJet 3p grayscale scanner. The price list is
really tempting: US$ 643. It features a 300 DPI optical resolu
tion and 1200 DPI software-enhanced resolution.

ScanJet IIcx has been updated, too. It's now capable of 1600
DPI enhanced resolution. If you have a PC, you'll get Aldus
PhotoStyler SE free with the scanner; if you have a Mac, you'll
get Adobe Photoshop LE. That's a good deal for a list price of
US$ 1,306.

What I like most about these two new scanners is the copier
utility that is bundled in their software. Well, I have to con
fess that sometimes I get too lazy to ride my bicycle to the
neighborhood photocopy shop to make Xerox copies, and I use the
scanner and printer instead. I should tell you it would take a
long time -- about 60 seconds -- to make a copy of the ID cards
of your newly-hired driver. On the other hand, an HP technical
manager told me that the new copier utility will make a copy of
whatever you place on the bed in 15 seconds. Of course, the type
of printer and the machine that you use also determine the speed.

Finally, for those of you who work in the CAD world and still
cannot afford an expensive plotter -- and that includes two of my
own nephews, HP has the DesignJet 220 Inkjet plotter for you.

SmartSuite gets 3.0

If you happen to be looking for a collection of software
applications to use as the standard in your organization, you
basically have two alternatives at present: Microsoft "Office" or
Lotus "SmartSuite". It seems that you will have to wait some time
for offerings from WordPerfect, though, as the company seems to
be busy consolidating itself after the take-over by Novell.

While Microsoft Office is now in Version 4.2, Lotus SmartSuite
has just gotten 3.0. The additions you'll find in the new package
are Lotus 1-2-3 Release 5.0, Approach 3.0, Ami Pro 3.1 and
support for Lotus Notes.

Talk about Ami Pro, this word processor is still my favorite.
It's fast, it has the most useful thesaurus for the majority of
my jobs, and it requires the least hardware resources. If you
want to see what Version 3.1 has in store (there's no plan for
Ami Pro 4.0 yet), come to Lotus "SmartSuite 3.0" launching at
Sahid Jaya Hotel, Jakarta, at 9:30 am tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 18,
1994.

Bread or Board?

Have you ever noticed that the design taste for cars has its
own trends. Back in 1980s, most cars looked boxy -- the boxiest
of all was perhaps Volvo 760 Station Wagon. But things change and
personal preferences change, too. Now even my dream Volvo station
wagon has a much smoother body lines.

In the automotive industry, the exterior design of the cars is
related to the aerodynamic factors. In the PC industry, the most
influencing factor today seems to be ergonomics. Businesses in
the U.S. are now feeling more and more pressure to provide their
workers with the highest ergonomics in their work environment.

A number of companies have jumped into the ergonomics band
wagon by offering ergonomic computer keyboards. However, Micro
soft US$ 99.00 Natural keyboard is one of that might make a
difference since its price is the lowest in the market for this
breed.

Don't laugh at the shape, though, as the keyboard looks more
like a piece of carved bread rather than a computer peripheral.
Microsoft claims that the keyboard can reduce the risk of in
juries, such as the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), by letting you
place your hands snugly on top of its separate two half key
boards.

The new keyboard also features special-purpose buttons that
will help you navigate in Chicago. Function keys are programmable
thanks to an additional alternate key. In short, it has been
designed with Windows in mind.

When it comes to personal preference, though, I always like
the old IBM click-clacking keyboard. I always enjoy the music
that the tactile key mechanism makes as I pound on the keyboard
-- the sound that other people may find annoying. Therefore, as I
happen to be on the market currently for a replacement to my dead
Northgate OmniKey, I don't include Microsoft's Natural keyboard
on my list as it reportedly has a softer feel although not at all
too mushy. Nevertheless, given Microsoft's excellence in making
mouses and portable trackballs, I'm sure the next generation of
Natural keyboards will be something worth looking at more
seriously.