Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!convex!ewright
From: ewright@convex.com (Edward V. Wright)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Not another NeXT defector???!!!
Keywords: next vs mac
Message-ID: <108294@convex.convex.com>
Date: 6 Nov 90 17:20:20 GMT
References: <2909@unccvax.uncc.edu> <27337f93-fe.1comp.sys.mac.misc-1@tronsbox.xei.com> <3818@idunno.Princeton.EDU>
Sender: usenet@convex.com
Organization: Convex Computer Corporation; Richardson, TX
Lines: 60

In article <3818@idunno.Princeton.EDU> bskendig@set.Princeton.EDU (Brian Kendig) writes:
>Besides, Apple's tactics against IBM
>(that a GUI on a PC is an add-on, where it's built into the Apple) can
>be used against it here -- if you want A/UX you have to buy it and run
>it on top of the Mac operating system, whereas the NeXT is built
>around Unix to begin with yet still offers similar (but more powerful)
>Macintosh-like abilities.

Sure, you can use that tactic. All you have to ignore is facts. 
A/UX does not run on top of the MacOS, it is a separate operating
system that is fully integrated with the Mac interface.  Besides,
"good UNIX" is an oxymoron.  If it ain't broke, it ain't UNIX.


>>d) If you've got a Mac, you won't have to abandon all your old software;
>>you'll be able to run it without changing machines all the time.
>
>Well, I might as well keep using my Commodore 128; why have to go out
>and buy more powerful, more capable software for a Macintosh?  ;)

So?  Is there "more powerful, more capable software" for the NeXT?
If so, where is it?  All I have seen or heard about is a few programs
that come bundled with the machine and a handful of commercial
programs like FrameMaker that no one who failed to make Forbe's list
of the 400 richest Americans can afford. 


>Really -- there comes a time when you have to decide if it's worth it
>to move up to a better platform.  Is the NeXT really better for what
>you want to do?

Right.  So what is it you want to do with the NeXT?  If you want
a high-performance development system on which to write programs
for a potential market of a few hundred users, NeXT is it. For
anything else... not yet.


>If I had to choose a new computer right now, it would be a
>NeXTstation.  Without a moment's hesitation.
>
>- 92 dpi, very large, 4 color greyscale screen
>- 68040 processor
>- 2.88M floppy drive (can read MS-DOS [and Mac?])
>- 105M hard drive
>- runs Unix right out of the box
>- audio input
>- DSP built in
>- Ethernet built in
>
>All for, at university prices, $3200, I believe.

So, for only slightly more than a IIsi with color monitor,
you get a black&white display, a nonstandard floppy drive,
Stone-Age operating system, and the chance to beta-test a
new CPU that will be available on accelerator boards for
the Mac in less than a year.  Yes, the hardware is really
hot, but without software the NeXT is still an expensive
high-performance sports car with nowhere to go.