3b2 suitable home computer? CHEAP!

[20 James D. Corder]

In article <1991Apr19.105712.13001 at cinnet.com> wilk at cinnet.com (Ken Wilkinson) writes:
>
> We have at work 2-3b2-400's and a 300 which are surplus.
> I called a used computer dealer (Computer Horizons) to get
>a price.
>
>He only "offered" $500 for three 3b2's >and three terminals.
>Now I'm wondering if maybe I should take
>these beast home (and give some to my employees).
>
>What is the MIPS value? The version of th operating system is SYSV rel 2.2
>Could a latest version be found and for how much? Do I really want
>to do this or not? Suggestions?
>
>Ken
>{cinnet.wilk}

Hello Ken:-)

	Yes, 3B2s make a GREAT home machine.  I took my 3B2/300 SYSV 2.2
home, and have been using it ever since.  Your employees will love them, if
they are UNIX PEOPLE:-)

	However, they won't be able to afford to fix them if they break.
Nor, will they be able to afford to up grade them:-(  You can purchase a
Sun Workstation cheeper than you can add a second hard drive and upgrade
to SYSV3 on a 3B2/300:-(

	I have been told that the 3B2/300 with 2mg of ram operates
at .6mips.  That is slower than most 386 machiens.

	As for chaning from SYSV2 to SYSV[3/4], it would cost too much.
For the price that AT&T would sell the upgrade for, you could purchase someone
else's machine with the new version already on it:-(  Said.  I love my 3B2/300,
but AT&T is driving the machines out of existence.

	It is getting harder and harder to defend my little 3B2 machine:-(
I love it, but wish I could upgrade it.  When I look at the price I paid,
and vew the current "USED" prices, I could cry.

	The 3B2, the Edsel of the computer world.  It came before its time,
then died fast.

Good luck Ken,
James D. Corder
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