Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc:4327 comp.sys.intel:1507 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!know!sdd.hp.com!think.com!linus!progress!matth From: matth@progress.COM (Matthew J. Harper) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,comp.sys.intel Subject: Re: When will the 8088 die? Message-ID: <1990Dec3.231231.12462@progress.com> Date: 3 Dec 90 23:12:31 GMT Sender: news@progress.com (The News User) Organization: Progress Software Corp., Bedford, MA Lines: 33 Nntp-Posting-Host: ericf One of the things that is being taken for granted in this discussion is the level of computer user that uses a mchine with the 8088 in it. There are is a large base of users who do nothing on the machine besides basic word processing and spreadsheet work. For those an 8088 is the ideal box. It may not have the pure power most us desire, but they really don't need it. Believe it or not, the price difference between an XT and AT type machine is still a big consideration. It may only be about $100 in the beginning, but then other items start to add up. Think about what happens you add in the options for a new car: radio, alloy rims... I myself am still running on an 8086 based machine. Sure, I cannot *wait* to upgrade, but other things keep taking a higher priority. What 'things'? Your basic items like car bills (repairs and regular maintenance), desire to own a house someday. You get the picture. Even if Intel does not support the 8086/88 series with the 80686 (which is at least three years off) the XT series will still live on. All the software that is currently meeting peoples needs will continue to do so. Just because a newer fancier version is available does not mean people are going to drop what they are using to upgrade. How many of us still use some out-dated program or utility because 1) we are used to it, 2) The new one does not do as nice the job the way we want (like some of Norton's 5.0 release)? I'll upgrade when I can. Until then, when I have something that takes longer than I would like it to, I'll do something like get a snack, or drool over the most recent trade magazine with the newest screamer in it. -- Matthew J. Harper UUCP: mit-eddie!progress!matth Progress Software Corp. Internet: matth@progress.com 5 Oak Park Disclaimer: My words & ideas, That's all. Bedford, MA 01730