IBM PC COMPATIBLES
COMPETITIVE EVALUATION
COLUMBIA
DATA PRODUCTS, INC.
NOVEMBER 1983
IBM PC COMPATIBLES
Competitive Evaluation
The following charts contain IBM PC compatibility test results and competitive pricing information among the recognized
IBM PC compatibles. This data has been compiled by the staff of Columbia Data Products to bring into focus the realities
behind the broad market claims of IBM PC compatibility and cost effectiveness.
IBM PC COMPATIBILITY ANALYSIS WITH MOST-POPULAR SOFTWARE PACKAGES
AMONG RECOGNIZED IBM PC COMPATIBLES:
RUNS 0N<2)
TYPE/TITLE
VENDOR
IBM PC CO
LUN
PRODUCTIVITY PACKAGES
Lotus 1-2-3
Context MBA
Peachtext 5000
Lotus Dev.
Context
Peachtree
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
WORD PROCESSING PACKAGES
WordStar
EasyWriter
Volkswriter
Micropro
IBM
Lifetree
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
ACCOUNTING
IBM/BPI (AIR; G/L)
IBM/Peachtree (A/R; G/L)
Peachtree (A/R; G/L)
IBM
IBM
Peachtree
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
DBMS
DBASE II
PFS/File
VisiFile
Ashton-Tate
IBM
VisiCorp
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
SPREAD SHEET
VisiCalc
Multi-Plan
Super Calc
VisiCorp
Microsoft
Sorcim
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
DATA COMMUNICATIONS
Asynchronous Communications
Dow Jones Reporter
THE SOURCE
IBM
IBM
Source
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
GRAPHICS
Fast Graphs
VisiTrend/VisiPlot
BPS Business Graphics
Innovative
VisiCorp
BPS Software
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
GAMES
Decathlon
Flight Simulator
Night Mission
Microsoft
Microsoft
Sublogic
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
^''^Require additional IBM PC compatible
color graphics controller board AND
DiacI'
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
EAGLE
N(1)
N(1)
N(1)
N
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
N
NO)
N
N(1)
N
N(1)
N
N(1)
N(i)
"bundled" monitors are not IBM PC color graphics compatible,
^^'lest results on units purchased over-the-counter on 10/25-10/29.
PRICING ANALYSIS
For comparison purposes, units have been priced in "professional" configuration required to run most popular software packages such as:
LOTUS 1-2-3
Context MBA
Microsoft Multi-Plan
Visi-On
Flight Simulator
Minimum configurations included 128K RAM; 320K dual floppies; serial port; parallel port; IBM PC compatible keyboard, and color graphic
controller; monochrome display; I/O expansion slots (for mouse connections, networking, memory expansion, etc.); MS-DOS, and
GWBASIC/BASICA.
(NOTE: UL & FCC approvals: Columbia Data Products, Compaq and IBM have certified UL and FCC Class B approval as required by
law.)
COLUMBIA DATA PRODUCTS
1600-VP Portable unit — 128K; 320K disk drives; 9" monochrome 1 600-1 V Desk top unit — 128K; 320K dual floppies; two RS-232 serial
monitor with graphics; IBM PC compatible keyboard, RS-232 serial ports; Centronics parallel port; 8087 socket; eight IBM expansion slots;
port; Centronics parallel port; 8087 socket; IBM expansion slot, and IBM compatible color/graphics controller, and Columbia
Columbia Super Pack; $2,995 Super Pack: $3,170
IBM-PC Compatible Keyboard: 225
Monochrome Monitor:(3) 225
(NOTE: One available expansion slot with above configuration.)
TOTAL $3,620
(NOTE: Seven available expansion slots with above configuration.)
1600-4V Desk top unit — 128K; single 320K floppy disk and 12MB hard disk; two RS-232 serial ports;
Centronics parallel port; 8087 socket; eight IBM expansion slots; IBM compatible color/graphics controller,
and Columbia Super Pack: $4,770
IBM-PC Compatible Keyboard: 225
Monochrome Monitor<3) 225
TOTAL $5,220
(NOTE: Seven available expansion slots with above configuration. )
f COLUMBIA SUPER PACK ^
Included free with every Columbia IBM PC compatible computer is the following software:
Perfect Writer $ 495 CP/M - 86 60
Perfect Speller 295 MS-DOS RAM DISK 100
Perfect Calc 295 GW BASIC / BASIC A 245
Perfect Filer 595 Macro-Assembler 150
Asynchronous Communications 150 Diagnostics 150
Fast Graphs 300 MPC TUTOR 50
Home Accountant Plus 150 TOTAL SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $3,145
Space Commanders 50
MS-DOS 60
IBM
IBM PC Desk top unit; 64K; Keyboard; 320K Disk Drive, IBM XT Desk top unit; 128K; Keyboard; 10MB Hard Disk; 360K Disk
Disk Drive Adapter: $2,104 Drive; Disk Drive Adapters,
2nd 320 Disk Drive: 529 and Asynch. Communications: $4,995
Color Graphics Monitor Adapter: 244 Color Graphics Monitor Adapter: 244
Printer Adapter Card: 150 Printer Adapter Card: 150
Monochrome Dlsplay:(3) 345 DOS 2.0 w/BASIC Extension: 60
64K Memory Expansion Options: 350 Monochrome Display:(3) 345
Asynch. Comm. Adapter (RS-232): 120 TOTAL $5,794
(NOTE: Three available expansion slots with above configuration.]
DOS 1.1 w/BASIC Extensions: 40
TOTAL $3,882
(NOTE: No available expansion slots with above configuration.)
COMPAQ
Portable Unit; 128K; single 320K disk drive; 9" monochrome monitor with graphics; IBM PC compatible
keyboard; parallel port; MS-DOS, and GWBASIC: $2,995
2nd 320K Drive: 595
Serial Port: 150
TOTAL $3,740
(NOTE: Two expansion slots available with above configuration.)
''Color monitors available from several sources.
CORONA (PARTIAL COMPATIBLES)
Portable Portable unit; 128K; high resolution graphics (not IBM PC
compatible); monochrome monitor; IBM PC compatible keyboard;
320K dual floppies; serial port; parallel port; MS-DOS; GWBASIC;
PC Tutor, and Word Processing $2,945
Color/Graphics Board (IBM PC Compatible):(i) 295
Standard Black/White Monitor:(i) 295
TOTAL $3,535
(NOTE: Three available expansion slots with above configuration.)
Desk Top (Floppy) Desk top unit; 128K; high resolution graphics (not
IBM PC compatible); monochrome monitor; IBM PC compatible
keyboard; 320K dual floppies; serial port; parallel port; MS-DOS;
GWBASIC; PC Tutor, and Word Processing: $2,995
Color/Graphics Board (IBM PC Compatible):(i) 295
Standard Black/White Monitor:(i) 295
TOTAL $3,585
(NOTE: Three available expansion slots with above configuration.)
Desk Top (Hard Disk) Desk top unit; 128K; high resolution graphics (not IBM PC compatible);
monochrome monitor; IBM PC compatible keyboard; 320K floppy; 10MM hard disk; serial port; parallel
port; MS-DOS; GWBASIC; PC Tutor, and Word Processing: $4,495
Color/Graphics Board (IBM PC Compatible):*^) 295
Standard Black/White Monitor<i) 295
TOTAL
(NOTE: Two available expansion slots with above configuration.)
$5,085
EAGLE (PARTIAL COMPATIBLES)
PC-2 Desk-top unit, 128K; 320K dual floppies; two RS-232 ports;
Centronics parallel port, keyboard (not IBM PC compatible);
monochrome video controller (not IBM PC color/graphics compatible);
monochrome monitor; MS-DOS; CP/M 86; EagleWriter, and Eagle
Calc: $3,495
GWBASIC: 245
Color/Graphics Board (IBM PC Compatible):(i) 295
Standard Black/White Monitor:(i) 295
TOTAL $4,330
(NOTE: No available expansion slots with above configuration.)
PC-XT Desk-top unit; 128K; 320K; floppy; 10MB Hard Disk; Keyboard
(not IBM PC compatible); two serial ports,
and two parallel ports: $4,495
GWBASIC: 245
MS-DOS: 60
Color/Graphics Board (IBM PC Compatible):(i) 295
Standard Black/White Monitor:(i) 295
TOTAL $5,390
(NOTE: No available expansion slots with above configuration.)
C)Require additional IBM PC compatible color graphics controller board AND black/white or color monitor. Corona and Eagle "bundled monitors are not IBM
PC color graphics compatible.
SUMMARY
Portables:
Columbia — VP $2,995* Compatible
Corona Portable 3,535 Partially compatible
Compaq 3,740 Compatible
Desk Top — Floppy Based:
Corona — PC 3,585 Partially compatible
Columbia 3,620 * Compatible
IBM PC 3,882 Compatible
Eagle — PC-2 4,330 Partially compatible
Desk Top — Hard Disk Based: <
Corona 5,085 Partially compatible
Columbia 5,220 * Compatible
Eagle — PC-XT 5,390 Partially compatible
IBM-XT 5,794 Compatible
*AII Columbia prices Include software Super Packs, valued at over $3,000.
CONCLUSION
Providing a high degree of IBM PC compatibility in a very cost-effective product line is not an easy task . . . "However, it is more
complex than anticipated to build a true PC-compatible machine. AND PC- compatibility will be a moving target. "('*)
Columbia Data Products was first with IBM PC compatibility, first with a truly comoatible product line, and first with IBM PC compatible
bundled software . . . COLUMBIA TOPS IN PERFORMANCE AND VALUE AND TRUE COMPATIBILITY!
Wjuly '83 FUTURE COMPUTING, INC.
November, 1983
COLUMBIA
DATA PRODUCTS, INC.
COMPUTER/PERIPHERAL SYSTEMS
9150 Rumscy Road/Columbia, MD 21045/(301) 992-3400
TWX (710) 862-1891
COLUMBIA DATA DISTRIBUTORS
For more information, please contact our distributor most convenient to you.
ADVANCED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
10666 East Bethany Dr.
Aurora, CO 80014
(303) 752-2972
Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana,
Wyoming.
COMPATIBLE DATA SYSTEMS, INC.
311 Alexander St.
Suite 215
Rochester, NY 14604
(315) 437-3909
New York, New Jersey, Eastern
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Fairfield
County in Connecticut.
CRYSTAL COMPUTERS, INC.
8363 Quivira Rd.
Lenexa, KS 66215
(913) 541-1711
Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri.
CTD, INC.
5830 Industrial Rd.
P.O. Box 1522 Hazelwood Station
Fort Wayne, IN 46895
(219) 484-2556
Indiana, Kentucky.
DATA ENGINEERING SALES
375 Main St.
Stoneham, MA 02180
(800) 343-0870
(617) 438-4700
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine,
Vermont, New Hampshire and
Connecticut except Fairfield County.
FIRST CHOICE
14430 Joy Road
Detroit, MI 48228
(313) 836-9500
Michigan.
MICRO DISTRIBUTING, INC.
2403 Canoe
Coquitlam, British Columbia
Canada, V3K 6A9
(604) 941-0622
British Columbia.
MP SYSTEMS
13720 Midway
DaUas, TX 75234
(214) 385-8885
Oklahoma and Arkansas; Texas north
of and including the towns of Pecos,
Brownwood and Palestine; Louisiana,
the town of Natchitoches and all
towns north.
PERIPHERALS PLUS, INC.
c/o Central Distributors
350 Des Erables
Lachine, Quebec
Canada, H8S 2P9
(514) 364-5554
Ontario and the Maritimes.
RPC ELECTRONICS
620 Alpha Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15328
(412) 782-3770
749 Miner Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44143
(216) 449-0550
(800) 446-7846
Ohio; West Virginia and Western
Pennsylvania all counties west of and
including Fulton, Potter, Clinton,
Centre, MilTlin and Huntington.
SOUTHEASTERN DATA PRODUCTS
1110 McConville Rd.
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(804) 384-6000
Maryland, Washington, D.C.,
Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Alabama, Georgia,
Florida, Tennessee and Mississippi.
For OEM sales only:
HALL-MARK ELECTRONICS
11333 Page Mill Road
Dallas, TX 75222
CaU your local Hall-Mark Office, or
(214) 343-5920
Nationwide.
COLUMBIA
DATA PRODUCTS, INC.
SOUTHWEST DATA PRODUCTS, INC.
1888 Stebbins Rd.
Houston, TX 77043
(713) 461-0100
Texas, all towns south of (but not
including) Pecos, Brownwood and
Nacodoches. Louisiana, all towns south
of, but not including Natchitoches.
TEK-AIDS INDUSTRIES
44 University Dr.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(800) 323-4138 or (312) 870-7400
Illinois and Iowa.
TELE-TERMINALS
7008 Northland Drive
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
(612) 536-6000
Milwaukee, WI
(414) 785-9221
Minnesota, North Dakota, South
Dakota and Wisconsin.
WAYBERN CORPORATION
12191 Mariners Way
Garden Grove, CA 92643
(714) 554-4520
Southern California, bounded on the
north and including the counties of
San Luis Obispo, Kings, Fresno,
Madera and Mono. Nevada, bounded
on the north and including the counties
of Esmarelda, Nye and Lincoln. Texas,
bounded on the east and including the
counties of Winkler, Ward, Pecos and
Terrell. Arizona and New Mexico.
WETASKIWIN
5007 51st Ave.
Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Canada, T9A 0T9
(403) 352-9302
Saskatchewan, Alberta.
ZEPHER INDUSTRIES, INC.
919 S.W. 150th Street
(206) 241-1980
SeatUe, WA 98166
WA (800) 562-5057
Nationwide (800) 426-5047
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
9150 Rumsey Road. Columbia, Maryland 21045
(301) 992-3400/TWX (710) 862-1891
COLUMBIA
DATA PRODUCTS, INC.
COMPUTER/PERIPHERAL SYSTEMS
9150 Rumsey Road/Columbia, MD 21045/(301) 992-3400
TWX (710) 862-1891
PRICE LIST — NOVEMBER 1, 1983
MULTI-PERSONAL 16-BIT, 8088, COMPUTER
MODELS 1600-1 & 1600-4 INCLUDE SINGLE BOARD
PROCESSOR WITH THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:
• 16-BIT 8088 PROCESSOR
• 128K RAM WITH PARITY
• DUAL 5 1/4" DRIVES
• DOUBLE DENSITY FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLER
• TWO RS-232 SERIAL PORTS
• CENTRONICS PARALLEL PRINTER PORT
• IBM-PC COMPATIBLE KEYBOARD PORT
• SUPER 3000 SOFTWARE PACK
• DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS
• INTERRUPT CONTROLLER
• WINCHESTER HARD DISK INTERFACE
• PROGRAMMABLE TONE GENERATOR/SPEAKER
• EIGHT IBM-PC COMPATIBLE EXPANSION
BOARD SLOTS
• COUNTER TIMER CIRCUIT
• 8087 APU SOCKET
• SUPER 3000 SOFTWARE PACK INCLUDES:*
MS-DOS OPERATING SYSTEM WITH RAM DISK
BASICA WITH IBM-PC COMPATIBLE COLOR
GRAPHICS
MACRO ASSEMBLER
ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION SUPPORT
DIAGNOSTICS (TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE)
COLUMBIA MPC TUTORIAL PACKAGE
HOME ACCOUNTANT PLUS
PERFECT WRITER (WORD PROCESSING)
PERFECT SPELLER (SPELLING CHECKER)
PERFECT CALC (ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEET)
PERFECT FILER (DATA BASE MANAGER)
PERFECT SOFTWARE CUSTOMER SUPPORT HOTLINE (1)
FAST GRAPHS (COLOR GRAPHICS REPORT GENERATOR)
SPACE COMMANDERS (COLOR GRAPHICS GAME)
PLUS; CP/M 86 OPERATING SYSTEM
MODEL
DESCRIPTION
UNIT PRICE
1600-1 DUAL FLOPPIES, 320K EACH AND SUPER 3000 SOFTWARE PACK
1600-1V DUAL FLOPPIES, 320K EACH AND SUPER 3000 SOFTWARE PACK WITH
CRT CONTROLLER CARD, MONOCHROME/COLOR/GRAPHICS
1600-4 320K FLOPPY, 12MB WINCH AND SUPER 3000 SOFTWARE PACK
1600-4V 320K FLOPPY, 12MB WINCH AND SUPER 3000 SOFTWARE PACK WITH
CRT CONTROLLER CARD, MONOCHROME/COLOR/GRAPHICS
1600-VP PORTABLE UNIT, DUAL 320K DISKS, 9" MONOCHROME MONITOR
WITH GRAPHICS, IBM-PC COMPATIBLE KEYBOARD, RS-232 SERIAL
PORT, CENTRONICS PARALLEL PORT, 8087 SOCKET, IBM EXPANSION
SLOT, AND SUPER 3000 SOFTWARE PACK (IBM-PC COMPATIBLE)
$2,945.00
$3,170.00
$4,545.00
$4,770.00
$2,995.00
EXPANSION BOARDS FOR MODELS 1600-1 AND 1600-4
1601
1602
1604
1606
1607
1615
1616
1618
1630
1631
1632
128K RAM WITH PARITY
256K RAM WITH PARITY
CRT CONTROLLER, MONOCHROME/COLOR/GRAPHICS
8087, ARITHMETIC CO-PROCESSING UNIT (2)
DUAL RS-232, ASYNC OR SYNC (3)
12" MONOCHROME MONITOR
KEYBOARD WITH CABLE
256K RAM WITH PARITY AND MP/M-86
RS-232 CABLE FOR DUMB TERMINAL & SERIAL PRINTER
PARALLEL PRINTER CABLE, CENTRONICS COMPATIBLE, FOR 1600-1
& 1600-4 ONLY
128K RAM WITH PARITY FOR 1600-VP
445.00
645.00
375.00
495.00
225.00
225.00
225.00
895.00
50.00
75.00
$ 395.00
OPERATING SYSTEMS
1682
MP/M-86 (MULTI-USER) FOR 1600-4
$ 650.00
TERMS: NET 10 DAYS
POINT OF ORIGIN, FREIGHT AND INSURANCE COLLECT.
PRICES AND CONFIGURATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
• •ALL HARDWARE SERVICED NATIONWIDE BY BELL AND HOWELL^^
(1) PERFECT SOFTWARE HOTLINE: 800-824-6180.
(2) SOFTWARE NOT INCLUDED. SUPPORTED BY COMPUTER INNOVATION C1-C86 C, MICROSOFT MS-PASCAL 3.04,
MICROSOFT MS-FORTRAN 3.04, DIGITAL RESEARCH, INC. PASCAL MT-h, MICROWARE 87 BASIC, MICROWARE 87
PASCAL, MICROWARE 87 MACRO, AND MICROWARE 87 FORTRAN.
(3) OPERATING SYSTEMS SUPPORT UNDER MP/M-86 ONLY.
CONTACT CDP FOR ADDITIONAL EXPANSION IBM-PC COMPATIBLE PRODUCT INFORMATION
IHECOUIMBIA
IBM-K COMPHmBLE
POMABLE. IT PREVENTS
lONEUNESSATTHETOR
The career size portable.
The Columbia VP Portable is for business people on their
way up. It's equipped like no other compatible portable—
dual disk drives and serial/parallel ports— all for $2995.
IBM- PC compatible and free bundled
software.
First, we give you immediate access to all the latest business
and financial software with MS-DOS." Then, we give you
CP/M-"86, the key to the largest base of applications software
in the world.
We've also paved the road to success with thousands of
dollars of free software. Columbia Tutor for fast computer
literacy. Perfect Software" for advanced word pr(x;essing,
spelling checker, spreadsheeting, and file management.
Fast Graphs" to turn numbers into pictures. Asynchronous
communications lets you share information with other compu-
ters. And for your other interests: Home Accountant Plus','
games, and two programming languages.
Go anywhere. Get service everywhere.
People on the go don't have the time for computer problems.
So there's a nationwide network of 175 Bell and Howell
service centers to keep you going.
If you have the ambition, we have the portable computer
to get you there: the Columbia VRThen, you'll see why
loneliness at the top is just a myth.
Call toll free for the Columbia distributor nearest you.
800-638-7866
COLUMBIA
DATA PRODUCTS, INC.
Columbia Data Products, Inc.
9150 Rumsey Road, Columbia, MD 21045
(301) 992-3400, TWX 710-862-1891.
Trademarks: IBM — Iiilemalinnal Hiisi
Software tm screens mil included.
.s Machines Corp.. MS IXIS- Micros, ifi. Inc. ,CMVM 86 --l)iKiial Research, Inc.: Perfect Sijftware-Htrfetl Software. Inc.. FaslGraphs- Innovative Si iflwa
IHECOUIMBIA
IBM-KCOIIIIMTIBUS.
THEY REWARD 1W0
BUSINESS VIRTUES:
roRESIGHT AND CUNNING.
Trust your instincts.
While others rushed out to buy an IBM"PC, you waited and watched.
You knew prices would come down and software would get better.
Now we have a reward for your patience: the Columbia family of IBM-PC
compatible computers. It's a choice of systems and software no one else
can match.
The Columbia line includes the VP Portable which lets you work any-
place, any time. There's also the MPC, our desktop model, available in dual
floppy disk or 10MB hard disk drive. Compatible with each other and the
IBM-PC, as well.
Foresight led you to our IBM-PC compatibility.
We start you with more operating systems than IBM, even more than
other IBM-PC compatibles (MS-DOS''and CP/M':86). Which means you
have immediate access to all the latest business and financial software.
Free software that's a steal.
Thousands of dollars worth of free software come with every Columbia
computer. Columbia Tutor gives you a fast, comfortable start. Perfect
Software" covers your word processing, spreadsheeting, and filing needs.
Fast Graphs' turns facts and figures into graphs and charts. And asyn-
chronous communications lets you share information with other computers.
For your sense of self, we give you Home Accountant Plus7games, and
two programming languages so you'll feel like an eleven year old genius.
Responsive service. Above and beyond.
175 local Bell c& Howell service centers stand ready to maintain your
Columbia computer at a moment's notice.
Prices start at $299S.The phone call is free.
Now, while you're feeling shrewd, call toll free for the Columbia distrib-
utor nearest you. Then, see for yourself how the Columbia Compatibles
can reward your business virtues.
800-638-7866
COLUMBIA
DATA PRODUCTS, INC.
Columbia Data Products, Inc.
9150 Rumsey Road, Columbia, MD 21045
(301) 992-3400, TWX 710-862-1891.
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