 Re: Why does Apple give us a confusing message?
Article-I.D.: shelley.1qs4fjINN74f
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Lines: 37
NNTP-Posting-Host: carson.u.washington.edu

In article <>   writes:
>
>Hi there,
>
>Does anyone know why Apple has an ambiguous message for
>C650 regarding fpu?  In all Mac price lists I've seen, every C650
>has the message "fpu: optional".  I know from what we've discussed in this
>newsgroup that all C650 have the fpu built in except the 4/80
>configuration.  Why would they be so unclear about this issue in their
>price list?
>I'm planning to buy the C650 8/230/cd pretty soon, but I'm now getting
>confused with whether it comes with fpu or not.
>Why say "optional" if it's built in?
>Please, anybody help me understand this game.
>
>Regards,
>
>Thian.
>
If you get the Centris 650 with CD configuration, you are getting a Mac with
a 68RC040 processor that has built-in math coprocessor support.  My 
understanding is that the "optional fpu" refers to your option of purchasing
the Centris 650 4/80 without FPU OR one of the other configurations WITH FPU.

Apple does not offer an upgrade from the non-FPU system to become an FPU
system.  And, it is unclear whether the '040 processor on the non-FPU system
 can be replaced with a 68RC040 supplied by another vendor.
Apple did send a memo out at one point sating that the Centris 610, which ONLY
comes with a non-FPU 68LC040 processor CANNOT be upgraded to support an FPU -
the pin configurations of the two chips apparently do not match so you cannot
swap one for another .

Hope that helps.

Kevin Lohman
University Book Store, University of Washington
Buyer for the UW Apple Computers for Education Program
