Display article   Subject:  What Is The Tandy Factory-Direct Program?
   04/30/97   17:55:07

WHAT IS THE TANDY FACTORY-DIRECT PROGRAM?

The Tandy Factory-Direct program is a unique, value-added service
that Radio Shack is proud to offer to you -- our valued customers.
In short, we've converted our factory to custom-build computers
for you.

Gone are the days when you have to accept someone else's concept
of what your computer should be.  Now, our trained team of
computer specialists is available to build your computer to fit
your precise needs.  You can choose from literally thousands of
combinations of disk drives, mass storage devices, memory
configurations and more.  We'll even pre-install DOS and Windows,
as well as any of the most popular software titles available!


What Computer Platform Will be Offered?

The "OMNI Profile" series is an entirely new platform, available
ONLY to Tandy Factory-Direct customers.  These models are ordered
only as part of the Tandy Factory-Direct custom integration
program, where other components (such as RAM, hard drive,
keyboard, etc.) are added to form a complete system.

The versions offered are:

          Model                 Clock     Floppy           Hard
Cat. No.   No.     Processor    Speed     Drive     RAM    Drive
------------------------------------------------------------------
25-5146  425 SX    80486 SX     25 MHz   1.44 MB    2 MB   None
25-5147  433 SX    80486 SX     33 MHz   1.44 MB    2 MB   None
25-5150  433 DX    80486 DX     33 MHz   1.44 MB    2 MB   None
25-5148  450 DX 2  80486 DX 2   50 MHz   1.44 MB    2 MB   None
25-5149  466 DX 2  80486 DX 2   66 MHz   1.44 MB    2 MB   None


"OMNI Profile" Computer Features & Benefits

Video

The Super VGA controller provides superior VGA performance with
several Windows functions, such as BitBLT operations, hardware
cursor, and fill pattern capabilities built into the hardware.
These functions yield up to 15 times the performance for Windows
over conventional VGA implementations.  The Super VGA controller
also features backwards software compatibility with MDA, CGA,
Hercules, EGA, and VGA video standards.

Display Modes

-- With standard 512K VRAM:
   Up to 1024 x 768 x 16 colors, or 800 x 600 x 256 colors

-- With optional 1 MB VRAM:
   Up to 1024 x 768 x 256 colors, interlaced or non-interlaced

Memory

-- Expandable to 40 MB on the main logic board

-- Battery-backed CMOS

-- RAM and real-time-clock accurate to 12 minutes/year

Built-in Ports

-- Two serial, one parallel, PS/2-style keyboard, PS/2-style mouse

Power supply

-- 145 Watts, 110/220 switchable

Peripheral bays

-- One 3 1/2" one-inch front accessible drive bay (occupied by
   the 1.44 MB floppy drive)

-- One 3 1/2" 1.6-inch internal drive bay (not front accessible)

-- Two 5 1/4" half-height external drive bays (front accessible)

Expansion Slots

-- 3 full-length, 2 half-length -- all 16-bit, all available
-- Built-in 16-bit IDE hard-drive adapter

Front Panel

-- Power switch, hardware reset switch, power-on LED, hard-drive-
   access LED, electric keyboard lock

-- A BIOS password feature provides security during the boot
   process

External Cache Option

-- Cache SRAM expandable to 256K for superior I/O throughput from
   0K, 64K, 128K to 256K


How Tandy's Factory-Direct Program Benefits Your Customer

You only pay for what you need by selecting only the features you
need.  You will save hundreds of dollars over what you would pay
for unwanted "bells and whistles" that come with most mass
produced computers.

Starting with a computer configured for today's needs and budget,
you can upgrade as your requirements grow and your budgets allow.
Our unique ordering process screens your configurations to make
sure you will have what you need to run your specified
applications, and that there are no "incompatibilities" lurking
in the configuration you have selected.

You custom-built computer is individually tracked from the moment
we receive the order until it leaves the factory.  When you
receive it, you only need to plug it in and get down to business
(or entertainment!).


How Tandy's Factory-Direct Program Benefits You

You will be getting exactly what you need.  Your finished system
will be fully tested and burned-in AFTER configuration, so you
are assured a fully-functional system with no conflicts.

Tandy Factory-Direct is currently offering a guaranteed "2
business days" turnaround, and the factory plans to reduce that
time by the first of the year.  You system can ship directly to
you!
