Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!wuarchive!udel!mmdf From: lou@vaxsc Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc Subject: Re: Revised Amiga line Message-ID: <52556@nigel.ee.udel.edu> Date: 3 May 91 14:28:47 GMT Sender: mmdf@ee.udel.edu Lines: 75 In article <4778@orbit.cts.com>, Erik Funkenbusch writes: >I don't even think the 68000 should be socketed. it should be surface mounted >or soldered like the 3000's. I am a firm beleiver that an entry level system >should be as cheap as possible, and if you need more, buy a new system. that >may sound unfeasable to alot of people, but look. Ibm's and Mac's and such >can sell more machines by forcing people to continually buy new motherbards, As colonel Potter would say, "Horse-Hockey!" Seriously, I disagree with this completely. Historically that has been the case, pushed primarily by the marketing prowess of such manufacturers as Microsoft, IBM, Compaq, and the various overseas (primarily Asian) clone manufacturers. In short, it's extremely wasteful (what do you think happens to those used motherboards, - recycling??? (ha!)) No, even the PC industry is beginning to wake up and realize this is not a good idea. If you need proof, check out all of the passive backplane EISA systems coming out, providing easy upgrade methods from 386sx to 486 to etc. And if the PC industry is smart enough to do something like this (which is usually behind everyone else), any other approach must surely be archaic. Of course, these are 32 bit systems from the start. But it's been done for some time with 16 bit systems as well. Particularly with industrial and military applications. > I would bet the the number >of actually USED machines is closer to the total number of Amiga's sold, which >would put it at about the same size of user base. because apple sells 6 >million macs, they forget to tell you that 4 million of them were uprades to >previously sold 2 million users. get the picture? i'm not saying this is the >case, but it's probably closer to reality than 6 million mac users with 6 >million macs. That's probably true. But average home users have two strikes against them to start off with. 1. Most average home users don't have upwards of $2500.00 to plunder into upgrading a computer system. If you use it for a business, or are a developer, this is not the case, but a hobbyist generally (unless they're rich, don't have kids, house, etc) won't have the money to spend on such upgrades. 2. Most average home users are also smart enough to realize that if the machine does the job for them, there's no reason for them to upgrade. Add on to it, perhaps, but not upgrade? Specifically since a home user can't write off depreciation of the machines on his/her taxes unless it's used strictly for business purposes. (Neat way to get audited by the IRS # 204, try this with a home machine, loaded down with games.) It all depends on what you want the machine to do for you. A growing business needs to upgrade. A typical household? - it's iffy at best. Usually, marketing will try to convince you that you MUST upgrade. But in reality, the truth is whether the machine still does what you bought it for. Not what marketing would have you believe. Especially since most computer purchases tend to be rendered obsolete before the ink on the check is dry, and return on the investment is minimal, at best. Entry level or not, the bottom line is, how much are you willing to waste just to upgrade. It seems ludicrous to have to waste an entire system, just because your needs dictate something a little more powerful, faster, etc. Of course, if you have Amiga's you're planning on sending to the landfill, I'll take them off your hands, and help you to save your conscience at the same time :-) Sorry, I didn't mean for this to get so long-winded. All of the above is strictly my own opinion. Disclaimers present everywhere. ---------------------------------------------------------------- -Lou Williams Via Bitnet : william8@niehs.bitnet Via Internet: lou@vaxsc.niehs.nih.gov Computer Sciences Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC ---------------------------------------------------------------- -Sometimes in order to feel better about yourself, you have to make others feel bad, and I'm tired of making others feel good about themselves. -Homer Simpson. ----------------------------------------------------------------