Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!ucsd!ucbvax!LSUVM.BITNET!$CSD211
From: $CSD211@LSUVM.BITNET (Mark Orr)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: NeXT News
Message-ID: <9010301952.AA05471@apple.com>
Date: 30 Oct 90 19:37:36 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 57


(disclaimer : the following is considered news for those interested and
is not by any stretch of the imagination a flame or other derogatory
comment on the IIgs)

Yesterday, I received my Nov '90 copy of BYTE. In it was an article on the
three new NeXT computers (it wasn't the cover story though - that was reserved
for the new Macs - When I looked at their review of the Mac LC, they seemed
aghast that anyone would want Apple IIe compatibility; but that is natural
for BYTE).  The three new NeXT computers were the NeXTStation, the NeXTCube,
and the NeXTStation Color (that's right - COLOR).

The NeXTStation and NeXTStation Color are both pizza-box style computers
(like the Mac LC). I don't think either is expandable. The NeXTCube is a new
68040 version of the old cube. The NeXTStation and NeXTCube are both black
and white systems, but the Cube may be enhanced by a NeXTDimension video card
(Intel i860 RISC processor, 8 Mb RAM for video (not video rams, I think),
expandable to 32 Mb - starting at $1500). No upgrade path from a b/w
NeXTStation to a color one is available. A new version of the NeXTStep OS
was also released (v2.0). I believe the article mentions that the cube will
not be bundled with as much software as in the past.

Also, the new computers come with a 3.5" floppy drive (2.88 Mb) instead of the
erasable optical disk used on the old cube. Pricing is as follows (not with
NeXT's 30% educational discount):

NeXTStation - w/ MegaPixel monitor (16"),      - $4999
              8 Mb RAM, 105 Mb hard disk
              2.88 Mb 3.5" floppy
NeXTCube    - w/ MegaPixel montior (16"),      - $7999
              12 Mb RAM, 105 Mb hard disk
              2.88 Mb 3.5" floppy
NeXTStation - w/ Color MegaPixel monitor (16") - $7999
Color         12 Mb RAM, 105 Mb hard disk
              2.88 Mb 3.5" floppy

The article also said that NeXT cut the price on its laser printer by about
half to $1499 (too bad it can only be used with a NeXT - it has a higher
resolution than a LaserWriter: 400 dpi)

As you can see the NeXT is a hell of a computer...for a hell of a lot of
money. Considering the price cut on the laser printer, I can't think of
too many desktop publishing systems that are better (though there are a few
that are cheaper). There are those on this net that say that they'd like
a NeXT because it's just like a GS...I imagine that is because the NeXT has
good sound (the DSP), which doesn't follow because alot of other computers
also have good sound (PC clones w/LAPC-1, Amiga's, Macs)...yet I hear no one
calling them GS's. It is important to note that a NeXT is not a home
computer or even a personal computer: it is a full blown workstation with
productivity in mind (forget about going down to your local software shop
and picking up some cheap software...) Still, it's a neat computer. But,
if you're looking to run UNIX (relatively) cheap - think about an Amiga 3000.

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Mark Orr                   !     "We demand rigidly defined areas of
$CSD211@LSUVM.SNCC.LSU.EDU !      doubt and uncertainty!!" - Vroomfondle
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