Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!convex!ewright
From: ewright@convex.com (Edward V. Wright)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Not another NeXT defector???!!!
Message-ID: <108620@convex.convex.com>
Date: 12 Nov 90 17:25:44 GMT
References: <1990Nov9.195958.15383@midway.uchicago.edu> <1990Nov9.224209.18758@agate.berkeley.edu> <1990Nov10.015237.3468@athena.mit.edu> <1990Nov10.022306.6551@agate.berkeley.edu>
Sender: usenet@convex.com
Organization: Convex Computer Corporation; Richardson, TX
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In article <1990Nov10.022306.6551@agate.berkeley.edu> knrgroup@garnet.berkeley.edu (Raymond group) writes:
>It may not be clear from my quote, but the Mac we were discussing was a 
>Mac IIfx.  I was arguing that a Mac IIfx gussied up to the tune of $12,000
>was not as good a deal as a NeXTstation for $5000.

But... read this very carefully, please... I don't know a single person
who believes that the Mac IIfx is a good deal.  Comparing one overpriced
machine to another does not prove that the first machine is not overpriced.
You are starting to sound like a developer who is desperately afraid that
there won't be enough NeXT users around to buy his program when he gets
it done.  I don't blame you.  I like the NeXT hardware and would like to
see it succeed, but realistically that isn't goign to happen unless NeXT
lowers the price to get it into the hands of more users.


>As for a Mac IIsi or Mac IIci, hard disk, laser printer, and >4 MB of RAM,
>I don't know the cost of such a package, but bear in mind that you can get
>a NeXT for $3000-$3500 with an educational discount.  Toss in a laser
>printer for $1200-$1300 (with educational discount) and you have a machine
>with a 400 dpi postscript laser printer, 105 MB hard disk (with 30 to 60
>MB free), lots of bundled software, 8 MB RAM, Unix and true multitasking,
>built-in Ethernet, a Digital Signal Process (for compact disc quality 
>sound), etc.  Thus, for as little as $4200-$4300, you can get a machine
>that is arguably more powerful than a $12,000 Mac IIfx!

No, I cannot.  Neither can most users.  Who are all these students who
are in the enviable position of deciding whether to buy an overpriced
Mac IIfx or an overpriced NeXT cube?  Not the same ones who complain
about the government cutting back on student aid, I hope!