Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!att!cbnewsc!daryl
From: daryl@cbnewsc.ATT.COM (daryl.l.monge)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
Subject: Re: 8) Research Help (8
Message-ID: <4139@cbnewsc.ATT.COM>
Date: 27 Oct 89 16:11:32 GMT
References: <8231@microsoft.UUCP>
Reply-To: daryl@cbnewsc.ATT.COM (daryl.l.monge,ih,)
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 61

In article <8231@microsoft.UUCP> w-darekm@microsoft.UUCP (Darek Mihocka) writes:
>In article <808@ariel.unm.edu> cs2531bz@carina.unm.edu.UUCP (  Marc Bluefire) writes:
>A common belief amoung 8-bit users is that their computers are cheaper than
>others.
Really?  How did you arrive at that determination?

And define cheaper!
Based on a feature by feature comparison?  Are you including features the
customer may not want?  Are you discussing a brand new system or upgrade
paths for existing owners?

>Now, already you're spent close to $1000 to make your XE useful. What you've
>got is the equivalent of a 520ST with color monitor.
I think you missed the point.  Most 8 bitters already have hardware 
they have gotten over time.  I certainly would not recommend a 8 bit
as brand new high tech machine.
But for me, the 130XE system was only $130 because I was already
an 8 bit owner and had other hardware.  Another example is that I can get
a useful terminal emulator by simply adding a XEP80 for ~$80.
PS, the disk drive is only ~$180 mail order.

>> I would have to learn a new OS, and buy all new software for a new computer!
>
>you'd better get used to the idea of learning other operating systems.
Typically CS attitude: I have a great new system for you and too bad if
you are comfortable with your current system.  Throw out all your
software also.

>>I am fully aware of the capabilites of the "other brands", and of the advanced
>>Atari 16 bit line.  Could you loan me $3,000+ dollars, so I could
>>get a new Mega 4? 
>Once again, we're back to the price issue. Your ignorance of the real world
>is amazing. You speak of the 386 machines as if they do not exist. Under $2000
>386 systems have been around for about a year now.
Define the amount of memory, disk capacity, machine speed, etc.  Lets
talk price/performance instead of price.  I've seen these prices also.

> When they first came out,
>a 48K Atari 800 system with disk drive cost about $2000
So what?

>A friend of mine just bought a 12 MHz 286 machine with
>40 meg hard drive, printer, and EGA monitor for under $2000. Funny thing is,
>he bought it from an Atari dealer who has turned to selling IBMs so he can stay
>in business.
Smart move.  Different strokes for different folks.  Are you suggesting
that everyone should own PC compatibles and that no alternatives such
as ST and AMIGA should exist?

>>Now, if you have nothing to say that would add to what we find as 
>>useful information for our 8-bits, I suggest you stop this waste of
>>band-width on the net... 
>who are you to censor my opinions?
True, but I would like to point out that in my opinion these articles lack
tact and I find them irritating.  Concentrate on comparisons of
capabilities, price, support, etc. particularly with respect to
things the 8 bit Atari can do.  Keep in mind that you want to compare
both new machine sales as well as upgrades to existing systems.

Daryl Monge
att!ihuxy!daryl