Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!ucsd!ames!bionet!arisia!roo!mdixon From: mdixon@parc.xerox.com (Mike Dixon) Newsgroups: comp.sys.next Subject: Re: slab vs. cube and $$ Message-ID: Date: 27 Nov 90 02:18:50 GMT References: <1990Nov26.173441.184@nic.csu.net> Sender: news@parc.xerox.com Organization: Xerox PARC, Palo Alto, CA Lines: 26 In-reply-to: bswift@calstate.bitnet's message of 27 Nov 90 01:34:40 GMT 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. there's also the control circuitry for the OD (which was left out of the nextstation). (well, and twice as many SIMM slots, but they only cost board space.) this still doesn't explain the price difference, but computer prices always have more to do with marketing than material costs. i suspect the big reason for developing the nextstation is that many customers *want* a physically small machine -- the nextstation takes up much less space (and is quieter: smaller power supply => smaller fan). paying $3k extra now because you expect that "at some future date" you'll want to add a nextdimension is pretty questionable budgeting; at the rate computers depreciate, this only makes sense if you expect the future date to be pretty soon. -- .mike.