Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!caen!math.lsa.umich.edu!math.lsa.umich.edu!jeremy
From: jeremy@math.lsa.umich.edu (Jeremy Teitelbaum)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: Amiga vs. Mac -- convince me...
Message-ID: <1991Mar11.161412.14449@math.lsa.umich.edu>
Date: 11 Mar 91 16:14:12 GMT
Sender: usenet@math.lsa.umich.edu
Reply-To: jeremy@math.uic.edu (Jeremy Teitelbaum)
Organization: U of Illinois at Chicago
Lines: 67

I am currently considering purchase of an Amiga 3000 and I have been
following the discussion in .advocacy, as well in .hardware and
.apps, for a couple of weeks.  Now I am ready to actively solicit
opinions.

I have extensive UNIX experience (I am typing this on a Sun IPC running
X11 in my office) and I am finally looking to buy a computer for home.
I would like to get something which I can use for my main applications,
while at the same time allowing my kids to have some fun (and maybe
learn something about computers.)  I essentially rely on TeX,
Maple, and Emacs  at work.   I would also like to be able
to do some financial stuff on my home system -- like print checks,
do my taxes, etc.

I am willing to make a substantial monetary investment in this
home system, and I plan to buy a laser printer with the CPU.

As I see it, my choices are:

Apple IIsi/5M RAM/80M hard drive + HP laserjet IIP with appletalk/postscript
				   (or Apple "Personal Laserwriter NT")


Amiga 3000/5M RAM/100M drive + HP laserjet IIP with postscript +
VGA (or better) monitor (I really don't like the way the 1950 looks.)

Since I'm talking to Amiga fanatics here, let me tell you my reservations
about the Amiga (since the amiga system is probably cheaper...)

1.  Will Commodore survive in the US?
2.  If the system breaks, can I get it fixed?
3.  Is my selection of "canned" software too limited?  I've
followed the recent discussion about Amiga wordprocessors, for
example, with some concern; Although I use TeX, my wife and kids
are happy with something like Microsoft Word for letters and school
papers.
4.  Is the Amiga a hacker's machine, which needs a lot of fiddling
to get it to do stuff?  I spend many hours at work administering a
substantial UNIX network; I don't need a computer at home that has
to be tinkered with endlessly.  
5.  What is the overall hardware quality like?  Do the keyboards,
mice, etc.  hold up over time?

And of course anything else you might want to tell me.

Just to prevent my own flame destruction, let me make the following
stipulations about the Amiga:

1.  In terms of hardware specifications, it is a better buy than the Mac.
2.  I agree that it has a very sophisticated architecture for a PC and that,
particularly for color graphics, it has better performance than the Mac.
3.  Most importantly to me, it is a relatively open system in comparison
with the Mac.
4.  Apple Computer is a parasite which should be boycotted because of
its anti-competitive lawsuits and its secrecy about its system design
(actually, this point means a lot to me as I have a lot of sympathy with
the FSF, and if you can convince me that Amiga is the way to go you will
help my conscience considerably...)

I await your advice....


Jeremy Teitelbaum
Math Dept.
U. of Illinois -- Chicago
Chicago, IL 60680
312-996-2371