Looking for PC systems advice

[David Mason]

Yes, it's another one of those "help me pick a 'puter" posts.
I havent read these groups in a while so I need to get caught up on the
latest net.wisdom.  I'm interested in a 386/33 or better with about
150-200 meg of hard disk, 4-8 meg of RAM, and super VGA.  I'll want
to run Windows initially and later switch over to UNIX (looking at
ESIX now.)  I've seen systems like this advertised at prices starting
around $3000, which sounds pretty good to me.  My questions are:

1. Should I go ahead and get a 386/33 or wait for a 386/40 or 486sx?
   Are they expected to have a lot more price/performance value?
   Are they coming out soon?

2. How about the hard disk?  From what I hear, IDE is cheaper, ESDI
   is faster, and SCSI is the wave of the future.  Is any of these
   the clear winner?  I've been leaning towards SCSI since you could
   theoretically hook up a lot of other stuff to the bus, but I've
   heard that standards (or the lack of them) are a problem.
   I'm also interested in tape backup if it doesnt cost too much.

3. Video: I know the monitor is very important, but how about the
   controller?  Any hands down winners or losers I should know about?

4. Is mail order the best way to buy one?  I want to go with name brand
   quality standard components (rather than proprietary vendor stuff
   that might have compatibility and performance problems.)
   There are some places here where you tell them exactly what
   components you want and they'll fit them to one of several motherboards
   they carry.  This approach sounds pretty good as long as I can get
   good service.  On the other hand, if mail order is the way to go, I'm
   open to suggestions about who's got the best deal.

5. Any other advice will be very appreciated.  If these questions have
   already been answered in some archive data someplace, just point me
   in the right direction.  If anybody just bought a system they want
   to rant and rave about or curse for all eternity, I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance!  If I get a lot of email I'll summarize to the net.

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Dave Mason                           Party on, dudes!
DSC Communications  M/S 121
1000 Coit Rd, Plano TX 75075         The opinions expressed herein are
INET: dmason at digi.lonestar.org       not necessarily mine or those of
UUCP: {uunet, texsun}!digi!dmason    my employer.
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