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From: wittelw@mist.CS.ORST.EDU (Walter I. Wittel-Jr)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: The New Macs: Greedy Compromises?
Message-ID: <1990Nov30.184808.17733@scion.CS.ORST.EDU>
Date: 30 Nov 90 18:48:08 GMT
References: <1990Nov29.203507.25984@grape.ecs.clarkson.edu>
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In article <1990Nov29.203507.25984@grape.ecs.clarkson.edu> anthonjw@clutx.clarkson.edu (Jason W. Anthony) writes:
>I must admit, I am not thrilled with Apple's new machines either.  One of
>the nice things about Macintosh computers was that they did what you wanted
>them to do, without a whole lot of hastle.  Like the wonderful GUI.
>
>But these new machines... yikes!  Just keeping up with all the little 
>"oddities" of each machine is enough to make you go crazy.  Like....
>
[bunch of stuff deleted]
>
>As I've said before, I don't think Apple is the same company it used to be.
>They used to be very concerend with quailty and innovation.  You had to
>pay for it, but I thought it was worth it.  Now Apple is showing signs
>of making the Mac line look as clouded as the IBM clone market.  Money is
>more important to them than it used to be.  This I think is at our expense.
>And except for maybe the Classic, these machines still aren't as super-cheap.
>
>If anyone can cheer me up now ;-( I'd really appreicate it.... :-) 
>

I don't know if this will help, but I think Apple made the right decision.
As you have said, they have always been overpriced.  This has eliminated
many personal users, or caused them to go to IBM clones -- too bad.  Every
new machine (going back to the Apple II+) has had some problems with existing
hardware/software compatability.  It usually takes about 6 months for the
manufacturers who really support their products to respond with modifications
and stickers for their boxes listing compatability.  That's just part of
bringing out a new line.  Most users going for the "cheeper" machines
probably won't add any cards anyway (many of the existing "power user" models
still exist).

Judging from the waiting list to get a Classic, a lot of people have been
waiting for this type of price/performance package.  Even though the prices
still aren't competitive with the clones (I think Apple should allow them),
you are getting a big name product (i.e.  "compare to IBM").

In the long run, this should help everyone.  How about a HyperCard stack to
simplify hardware/software compatability for the new models?

>__________________________________________________________________         
>Jason W. Anthony         anthonjw@clutx.clarkson.edu      ////  /|         
>Computer Engineering                                       /   / |         
>Clarkson University, Potsdam N.Y.                       / /   /--|         
>____________________________________________________   ///.  /   |.


Walter I. Wittel, Jr.