Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!aero-c!gumby.dsd.trw.com!deneva!news From: thomsen@spf.trw.com (Mark R. Thomsen) Newsgroups: comp.sys.next Subject: Re: A few Questions....about.. Message-ID: <2821BABB.5F75@deneva.sdd.trw.com> Date: 3 May 91 19:32:11 GMT References: <91120.143430JTRQC@CUNYVM.BITNET> Sender: news@deneva.sdd.trw.com Organization: TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA Lines: 46 In article <91120.143430JTRQC@CUNYVM.BITNET> JTRQC@CUNYVM.BITNET writes: > Will the NeXT computer be a good choice for anybody looking for a computer > system? Yes. > Will the NeXT appeal to students that are not in college (grade school?) It can. We have an NSF-sponsored high school student coming in here after hours using the NeXT for some self-organization experiments (programming) and his report (desktop publishing). A few employee's children have played some games. > Will the NeXT try to replace the PC, MAC etc???? NeXT may eventually attack PC, Mac. They are currently going toe-to-toe with Sun, Dec, HP, IBM (RIOS) for more custom situations. More applications (1000's) and lower cost (a $1000 base machine) are required to compete with PCs and Macs in sales volume. > How easy is the NeXT to program??? Easier than a Mac or Sun, from our experience. > Will There be any educational programs available? There are commercial programs in the catalogs, programs on the net, and seemingly dozens in development. > Will there be a joystick made for the computer??? (the NeXT game MacHine) :) Don't know, but it would not be hard. Of course, we need a state-of-the-art flight simulator with network multiple user play too. > Indeed, the NeXT does offer a wonderful package, but is it reasonable, will > everybody (well almost everbody) want a NeXT in the next few years???? It is reasonable that most everyone will want the NeXT's features that their computer does not have (CD quality sound, superb display, etc.). Will they buy the machine to get those features and perhaps lose something they had? That is the real question for NeXT. > HOw about a NeXT with an 88000? call it THE NeXT GenEraTiOn. Or a MIPS R4000? I would anticipate that the delays with getting 68040 debugged and out might have a lingering effect. NeXT is not selling a CPU as much as a computer system. The CPU - as a means to an end - can be replaced if it helps them get the computer systems to the alter on time. Their software architecture gives them some flexibility. > Well? can anybody answer these questions??? Maybe :) Mark Thomsen