Mine was the first graduating engineering class at Virginia Tech ( '88 ) to be required to own their own PC's. Great leading-edge idea at the time. But the school made disastrous recommendations for the PC:
- IBM "Turbo" I think 4.5MHz "suitcase" version with like an 8" built-in monitor (monochrome).
- About 1/10 the RAM needed
- NO HARD DRIVE!
- Math coprocessor was only recommended later
- 5-1/4" floppy was only non-RAM data storage
- No recommendation for a mouse.
- DOS 3.2 based I think. No Windows yet.
- This was like $2k+ back then!
Imagine trying to run a DOS-based CAD program off the floppies (plural) (no hard drive) with no math coprocessor, insufficient RAM for even Word Perfect, and no mouse. Did I mention an 8" monitor?
I was fortunate in that I transferred into the program, and based on advise got instead an IBM clone for half the price, more RAM, a $100 math coprocessor, a HUGE 14" monitor, and later a $125 ball mouse. Still no hard drive though.
</old guy>
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