Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!helios!cs.tamu.edu
From: daugher@cs.tamu.edu (Dr. Walter C. Daugherity)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: SPARCstation 2 --> workstation wars
Keywords: workstation
Message-ID: <9224@helios.TAMU.EDU>
Date: 17 Oct 90 19:59:46 GMT
Sender: usenet@helios.TAMU.EDU
Organization: Texas A&M University
Lines: 27

According to the October 1st issue of Computer Reseller News, "Sun Microsystems
Inc. is expected to unveil in the next six weeks its next-generation SPARC-
station 2 computer...27 MIPS...6 to 8 MFLOPS...priced about the same as Sun's
current 1+ machines."

What with the 68040 NeXT's, DEC's 5000, and IBM's RS/6000 (do I hear 7000?),
we're getting a new price/performance leader every month!  Come on, NeXT,
how about announcing a 50 MHz 68050???

Seriously, it is clear that the workstation wars will continue for the 
forseeable future, escalating at an ever-increasing rate and forcing a
shakeout (e.g., HP/Apollo).  Consequently, knowledgable users will put less
emphasis on horsepower (as long as it's adequate) and more emphasis on
compatibility, upgradability, etc.

Thus, I'd like to see NeXT make a commitment to providing an upgrade path for
the NeXTstation and NeXTstation color, even if it's just to say "We intend to
offer a board swap when the NeXT 3 arrives."  Otherwise people may hesitate to
buy a non-upgradable computer--anybody want my Sun 3/50 real cheap? :-)


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Walter C. Daugherity			Internet, NeXTmail: daugher@cs.tamu.edu
Knowledge Systems Research Center	uucp: uunet!cs.tamu.edu!daugher
Texas A & M University			BITNET: DAUGHER@TAMVENUS
College Station, TX 77843-3112		CSNET: daugher%cs.tamu.edu@RELAY.CS.NET
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