Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!uc!shamash!zeke
From: zeke@shamash.cdc.com (Robert Scott)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Apple cuts prices on IIci
Summary: Whoa, take a look at the big picture...
Message-ID: <25744@shamash.cdc.com>
Date: 12 Sep 90 23:50:51 GMT
References: <6224@bgsuvax.UUCP> <10129@goofy.Apple.COM> <406@scubed.SCUBED.COM> <1990Sep12.152656.29635@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>
Distribution: comp
Organization: Control Data Corporation, Arden Hills, MN.
Lines: 49

In article <1990Sep12.152656.29635@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>, cmm1@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (Christopher M Mauritz) writes:
> In article <406@scubed.SCUBED.COM> warner@scubed.com (Ken Warner) writes:
> >
> >Am I missing something?  Is this supposed to be a good deal?  These prices 
> >make Sun's look good.
> 
> I was thinking the same thing.  A person who is willing to buy a Mac IIfx
> would probably like the EXTRA power of a SparcStation SLC, the turn-key
> unix in SunOS 4.1, and the savings of $2-3,000.  Apple must be earning
> HUGE margins on these machines.  I never thought I'd see the day that
> a Sun SPARCstation would compete in price with a Mac.  Rah rah Sun!
> 
> Chris
> 

Let's look at the big picture here.  There are some factors that I think
y'all are missing.

First, the announced prices for the Ci are Apple's "recommended" prices,
NOT the street prices, which are usually lower.  Unless you are a big
corporate account, or can get an academic discount, the SUN suggested
retail price IS the street price.

Second, include some extras that you have to buy with the Sparcstation
SLC to make it workable as a standalone:
	External disk with some kind of tape drive: 	$2000-3000
	CD-ROM drive and CD with SUN/OS binaries:	$1300
		(required by SUN beginning 1991 for
		OS releases, magtapes not available.)
	Applications, variety significantly more
		limited than the MAC/OS/AUX, and
		far more costly:			20%-300% more $$$

Fact is, if you like the stuff that's available on the Mac, you buy
a Mac.  If you want the stuff that's available on UNIX, or want to do
lots of open-systems programming, you buy a SUN.  If you want both, 
you buy a Ci or FX with A/UX.  Or, you buy both, and use each for their 
strengths.


Mac IICi and Sun 3/60 owner.
Zeke
		

-- 
~~~~~~~~~~~ From the Shrine of the "Last Gasp of ETA Systems" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Extra zesty disclaimer:  MINE! MINE! ALL MINE! <chortle snort froth drool>
Robert K. "Zeke" Scott        internet: zeke@eta.cdc.com
Control Data Corp, Supercomputer Support Group