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.