Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!csun!calstate.bitnet!bswift
From: bswift@calstate.bitnet (Brian Swift)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: slab vs. cube and $$
Message-ID: <1990Nov26.173441.184@nic.csu.net>
Date: 27 Nov 90 01:34:40 GMT
Organization: The California State University
Lines: 46
Nntp-Posting-Host: bswift.mac.calstate.edu


If the following has already been discussed to death please ignore it.

Does anyone have any information/speculation on why the price for the 
standard configuration NeXTcube (MSRP $7,995) is three thousand dollars 
more than a NeXTstation (MSRP $4,995).  The only difference between the 
two is that the cube is expandable.  Three thousand seems like an awful 
lot for three empty slots,  a larger case, and heftier power supply.  I 
would love to get my own NeXT, and with the educational price of the 
NeXTstation I can even afford one.  But I just can't justify it when there 
is no possibility of adding NeXTdimension at some future date when my 
wallet is thicker.

Also,  does anyone have an explanation for the existence of the slab.  Is 
the smaller size really worth the lack of expandability?

Now I'll take my shot at second guessing Mr. Jobs and his marketing 
department.  I would have introduced the new systems as follows:

1. '030 cube no OD, 105MB HD, 2.88MB Floppy @ $3695  ('040 NeXTcube price 
less $1300 upgrade)
2. No NeXTstation  (NeXT saves NeXTstation development cost)
3. '040 NeXTcube  @ $4995 (Same as current price for NeXTstation)
4. No NeXTstation Color (NeXT saves NeXTstation Color development cost)
5. NeXTdimension system @ $11,115  (Current cost less $3000 reduction in 
NeXTcube)

This would make a bottom of the line color NeXT cost $3120 more than it 
currently does.  And that bottom of the line would now be NeXTdimension 
rather than NeXTstation color.  Well worth the $3120 cost increase, I 
think.

The bottom of the line buy-in cost would be great (really great with 
educational discount),  plus there would be a penalty free upgrade path to 
the top of the line.  NeXT saves a fair amount of development cost, has 
something useful to do with '030 boards, and could be shipping '030 
systems, at the reduced price, while waiting for Moto to get '040 
production up to full speed.

Comments and criticisms welcome.  But please send any flames via E-mail.

I just don't understand why Mr. Jobs doesn't consult me before introducing 
a new line of computers.  :-)

Brian Swift
bswift@calstate.bitnet