OS/2 FAQ List: User's Edition (4 Apr 94)

(2.5) Specific Hardware Recommendations

Are there any specific hardware recommendations?

Here are some of the peripherals and adapters that are particularly well 
suited to OS/2.  Some true bargains are included.  Prices do not include 
shipping and handling.

 o S3-based Display Adapters.  Since IBM has produced high resolution 
   device drivers for video cards based on S3 chipsets, there are many S3 
   cards which work well under OS/2.  Choose one based on either the S3 
   801 or 928 chipset.  Orchid, Diamond, Actix, and Number Nine all 
   manufacture S3-based display adapters with varying capabilities and 
   prices.

 o SoundBlaster 16 SCSI-2.  {{ If you are looking for a high quality sound 
   card, the Creative Labs SoundBlaster 16 SCSI-2 is well suited to OS/2. 
    An MMPM/2 driver is available for the audio portion of the card, and 
   the SCSI-2 port is compatible with OS/2's built-in Adaptec 152x driver. 
    You can use the SCSI port to attach tape backup and CD-ROM drives. 
    Many dealers stock this card; shop around for the best price. }}

 o IBM M-Audio Adapter.  Available in either AT bus or Microchannel models 
   for the same price.  Provides compact disc quality audio reproduction 
   and recording capabilities under OS/2.  Price: $235 from IBM Direct 
   (phone 800-IBM-2YOU).  Lower close-out pricing may be available now 
   that the MWave Windsurfer Communications Adapter, the successor to 
   M-Audio, is available for both the AT bus and Microchannel.

 o MediaVision ProAudio Spectrum 16.  The PAS 16, as it is known, offers 
   compact disc quality audio reproduction and recording capabilities and 
   an on board SCSI port (for CD-ROM drives and other peripherals). 
    Available from several dealers for about {{ $130. }}  The Logitech 
   SoundMan 16 is identical to the PAS 16 (and sometimes less expensive), 
   although it does not include a SCSI port.  MediaVision's new ProAudio 
   Studio, a more expensive adapter, is also supported under OS/2 2.1. 
    All three are AT bus adapters.

 o NEC CD-ROM Drives.  ITG Computers (tel. 708-259-1129 or FAX 
   708-259-1130) is selling NEC {{ CDR-25 ($95), CDR-36M/37 ($165), CDR-38 
   ($205), CDR-74-1 ($275), and CDR-84-1 ($245) SCSI CD-ROM drives.  These 
   models are refurbished.  The CDR-25 is a portable, external unit with a 
   650 ms average access time, 150K/second data transfer, and single 
   session Kodak PhotoCD capability.  The CDR-36M/37 is identical except 
   for a faster average access time of 450 ms.  The CDR-38 adds 400 ms 
   average access time, 300K/second data transfer, and multisession 
   PhotoCD.  The CDR-74-1 is a desktop, external drive with a still lower 
   280 ms average access time.  Finally, the CDR-84-1 is the internal 
   version of the CDR-74-1.  The CDR-25 and CDR-36M/37 each come with an 
   AT bus SCSI adapter. }}

 o Ultrafast CD-ROM Drives  {{ If you are looking for even more speedy 
   CD-ROM drives, the triple spin (450K/second) NEC models are also 
   available from ITG (and many other dealers).  Ask about NEC's latest, 
   the 600K/second, 180 ms MultiSpin 4X Pro. }}

 o Wangtek Tape Drives.  Super Technologies (phone 909-393-4648) offers a 
   seven month warranty on several {{ refurbished }} Wangtek SCSI tape 
   drives.  The Wangtek 5150ES (250 MB) is $305, the 5525ES (525 MB) is 
   {{ $450, }} the 6200HS (2 GB DAT) {{ internal }} model is {{ $650, and 
   the external 6200HS is $680.  Corporate Systems Center (phone 
   408-734-3475) is selling the Wangtek 6130 1.3 GB external DAT drive for 
   $518. }}  All will work with GTAK tape backup software [See (3.2) 
   Shareware and Freeware Sources] when attached to an OS/2 supported SCSI 
   adapter.

 o 16550AFN Buffered UART Serial Port Adapters.  Improves high speed 
   serial communications performance.  Price: $35 for a two port adapter 
   from Zero-One Networking (phone 800-255-4101 or 714-693-0808).  Ask 
   about adapters with parallel ports.

 o Four Port 16550AFN Buffered UART Serial Adapter.  The STB 4-COM adapter 
   is available for $110 delivered by calling 800-735-5266 Ext. 64 (or 
   919-286-1502 Ext. 40).  The 16-bit STB adapter provides four buffered 
   serial ports, each with an independently selectable interrupt and 
   address.  IRQs above 7 are supported for each port.  Up to two of these 
   adapters may be installed in the same system (for up to eight buffered 
   serial ports).  Four six inch 8-pin DIN to DB9 male converter cables 
   are supplied.  Fifteen month manufacturer's warranty and free technical 
   support from STB.

 Related information:

 (2.1) Hardware Requirements 
 (2.2) SuperVGA Support 
 (2.4) COM3 and COM4 Support 
 (3.2) Shareware and Freeware Sources

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