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From: prl3546@tahoma.UUCP (Philip R. Lindberg)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple,comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Accepting the Mac (was Re: More Macweek Rumors)
Message-ID: <1015@tahoma.UUCP>
Date: 26 Mar 90 17:18:11 GMT
References: <1990Mar21.061125.13784@spectre.ccsf.caltech.edu>
Followup-To: comp.sys.apple
Organization: The Boeing Co., BCA FSL, Seattle, WA
Lines: 78

From article <1990Mar21.061125.13784@spectre.ccsf.caltech.edu>, by toddpw@tybalt.caltech.edu (Todd P. Whitesel):
===============================================================
> ( Todd's are the single >'s and Tracy's are the double >>'s )
===============================================================
> tmyers@athena.mit.edu (Tracy S Myers) writes:
> 
>>Here we go again! I don't doubt that you have the plans for one 
>>whizbang machine.  But, that is quite irrelevent.  Who will buy this
>>machine?
> 
> A significant portion of the Apple II user base (I know, I know).
> [...]
> People who want a machine that their kids use at school but will still be
> competitive enough to last.


Granted, a lot of the people who would purchase this machine are current
Apple II owners (GS's, and other II's wanting to upgade), but you have
forgotten a large market that Apple is currently letting go down the tube:
Education.

A) K-12 Schools are backing away from Apple because they can get I*M's
cheaper and easier.  If there was a future in the Apple II they would stay
with it since they have such a large s/w & h/w base (and investment) there.
(Don't tell me the MAC is the solution.  Only a few K-12 schools are going
to it.  At least of the ones I know around here.)

B) Don't discount all the Apple II owners who didn't upgrade to the GS the
first time.  I know of at least two in this building, (out of 4 Apple II
owners), who are ready for a machine that runs what they have, only faster.
(Note: I said, "Runs what they have (ie. Apple II s/w) only faster".  Also,
don't forget.  Apple marketing tried the GS/MAC and the schools said they'd
rather have two machines instead of one for the same price.)

C) I know of several parents in our PTA who want to buy an Apple II for
their kids just because it's compatable with what is currently in the
schools.  When I asked about a MAC, they said they would rather buy an
I*M.

From my perspective, this translates into a lot of sales that are currently
going to the competition, (and I don't mean, the MAC.  ;)
 

>> You comment that only Apple can build this Amiga and PC clone killer and
>>they can do it cheaper.  Cheaper than the Koreans and Taiwanese can crank out
>>'286 clones?  I doubt it.  What advantage would there be in buying this
>>machine, and paying more for it than a PC clone? [...]
>> Bolting on additional capabilities to a 15 year old product line does not
>>make sense.

You keep saying this forgeting those who already have an investment in
Apple II software and peripherals.  To us, starting over will never be
cheaper, no matter how much less the cpu costs, (both individuals and
schools.)

>> As I said before, the Apple II product line is at the end of its useful
>>life. It is naive to think that Apple would or should make such a large
>>investment in this product line.  
> 
> You do the machine a severe injustice by assuming it has done its best and
> failed. The new GS is nowhere near the improvement I want to see, and with
> what they _have_ done I am convinced they just aren't market driven enough
> to realize what they can accomplish.
> 
> Todd Whitesel

I have to second Todd's statement.  This is EXACTLY what MACWeak would have
us to believe.  However, it is totally untrue.  In a K-12 class room we
don't need a CRAY.  Why pay the price for half as many MAC's when an Apple
II will not only do the job, but, if improved, will to it more than
adequately.

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|If my IIgs 'll just hold out for a few more months 'til ROM 04   |
| Phil Lindberg	      	 	     snail mail: 13845 S.E. 131 ST|
| UUCP: ..!uunet!bcstec!tahoma!prl3546            Renton, WA 98056|
|    Disclaimer: I don't speak for my employer.			  |
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