| ★ HARDWARE ★ LES PC D'AMSTRAD ★ AMSTRAD PCW 8256 ★ |
| AMSTRAD PCW 8256: PLOP ! UN NOUVEL AMSTRAD (Hebdogiciel) | AMSTRAD PCW 8256 (Popular Computing Weekly) | NEWAMSTRAD 8256 EXPOSED | AMSTRAD PCW 8256 (CPC Magazin) | AMSTRAD PCW 8256 (Byte) | Amstrad PCW8256 |
CPC 664 is now "truly dead" AMSTRAD has now officially announced it is to drop its CPC 664 disc-based micro. With the 128K version—the CPC 6128—already in the shops, and the new PCW 8256 launched last week (see Popular Computing Weekly, August 22) Alan Sugar, Amstrad's chairman and managing director, said "The 664 is now well and truly dead. "It was a natural progression from the 464, but it suffered from a leap in micro technology." As the 6128 is to sell for £399 (colour) and £299 (monochrome) the prices of the 464 model have been cut to match. The colour monitor version of the 464 comes down from £349 to £299 and the monochrome monitor version comes down from £239 to £199.
The new desk-top word processing modcreated or edited by using single keystrokes and cursor controls. Extensive use is made of window menus, backed up by excellent documentation. Within a few minutes it is possible to produce recognisable results - a major advance on my attempts with other wordpro-cessing systems.
At first glance the LocoScript system seems to provide most major facilities you would expect from a professional wordprocessor in an extremely accessible manner. Also bundled with the machine comes the software that accompanies the 6128 -CP/M Plus, DR Logo, GSX, DR's graphics extension package with the addition of Mallard Basic, once again by Locomotive Software. It should be noted that there is no Basic resident within the machine. Mallard Basic must be soft loaded. The precursor of Locomotive Basic, it offers better filing commands and fewer graphics commands (the 8256 has neither colour nor sound). CP/M Plus opens up a vast library of software to the potential user - some rather pricy (like dBase II weighing in at a cool £450), others public domain, available from the CP/M User Group. When running under CP/M. the printer automatically defaults to Epson control codes, and the screen emulates a DEC VT52. This makes software installation very easy. Amstrad have set up deals with various companies to ensure that there is a good supply of CP/M software available on their 3 inch format, and have tried to negotiate cheaper versions of 'classic'business packages such as Supercalc. The version of Basic supplied, Mallard Basic, runs under CP/M and is generally business orientated. Its advanced file handling facilities offer sequential, random access and keyed random access, and it is broadly compatible with the most common version of Microsoft Basic. When loaded in there is only 32K available for your own Basic programs. The documentation supplied with the software runs to two volumes, totalling around 700 pages . . . but do not be daunted. These are some of the best written manuals I have ever read in terms of clarity and logical progression. Recommended reading for future manual authors.
Conclusion So there you have it. Amstrad have taken the basic principles that took the home computer market by storm and applied them to the business sector. And the price! We are talking about a monitor / keyboard / printer / software bundle ... for only a little more than the price of a QL! Make no mistake, this micro could revolutionise the office and home business computer market. The PCW 8256 is. after all, cheaper than a good electronic typewriter. And the multinational business micro giants like IBM and Wang stand a chance of being hit where it hurts most - right in the profit margins. At £450 nothing else comes close. PopularComputingWeekly850829 |
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