Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!apple!voder!nsc!amdahl!JUTS!ruts!kls30 From: kls30@ruts.ccc.amdahl.com (Kent L. Shephard) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc Subject: Re: MacIIci vs. NeXT station? Message-ID: <6bm3027J08Ah01@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com> Date: 14 Jun 91 00:27:18 GMT References: <1208@chem.ucsd.EDU> Sender: netnews@ccc.amdahl.com Reply-To: kls30@RUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (Kent L. SHephard) Distribution: usa Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA Lines: 69 In article <1208@chem.ucsd.EDU> darin@chem.ucsd.edu (Darin R. Kent) writes: > >run Mac software as well. This machine runs $3524, including a 17" MegaPixel >monitor an accessory kit. What is wrong with this picture? I am interested in >hearing why I should by the MacIIci or why I should not buy the NeXT station. > Well I have my flame proof suit on also. So for starters, there is nothing wrong with that picture. The NeXT is a full blown '040 UNIX machine. It is fast. It has display postscript. It is basically a "Get a hell of alot of bang for your buck deal." I own one. I use a SUN IPC at work. I also own an IBM PC. What you should think about is, how will the machine suit your needs? One machine is not for everyone. The NeXT is a very powerful platform that is geared toward someone who wants UNIX (preemtive multitasking) without looking at a command line. You should also think about your current software investment. The NeXT will not currently run Mac software and I have not seen any announcements of products that will enable it to do so. This is something else to think about. The NeXTstation 105 does not have enough diskspace. NeXTstep, AUX (Mac UNIX), or any other UNIX OS takes up diskspace, man pages, window servers, etc. A 105 would be dissappointing. You would need to add at least another 200 megs in harddrive space if you plan to do any development. The 105 does not come with all the bundled software but you are lic. to use it. All you have to do is copy it from a friend when you get a larger drive. To compare the IIci to a NeXTstation is not a fair comparison. The IIci runs a '030 the NeXT a '040. To run a real multitasking OS you would have to buy AUX. Don't talk to me about sys 7.0 because it is cooperative multitasking, not preemtive. 1 application can hog all the cpu time on a Mac, that cant happen in a UNIX envrionment. The NeXT comes with everything you need. Take it out of the box, connect the cables and plug it in. My price for a IIci 80/4 (educational) is about ($4000) + a 19" monitor ($1000) + keyboard ($140) this adds up to ~$5100. Compare that to a NeXTstation with a 200meg harddrive and 8 meg of memory ($3899). The NeXT appears to be the winner. This is true only if the NeXT fits your needs. Examine your needs and then buy the machine that fits them >=============================================================================== >DDDDD AAA RRRRRRR IIIIII NN NN / My Opinions Are Mine Alone!!! >DD DD AA AA RR RR II NNNN NN / Quick to judge, Quick to Anger, >DD DD AAAAAAA RRRRRRR II NN NNNN / Slow to Understand, Ignorance, >DDDDD AA AA RR RR IIIIII NN NN / Prejudice and Fear, Walk Hand in >============================================ / Hand. RUSH - Witch Hunt >=============================================================================== I'm a happy NeXT, PC, Sun, HP user. -- /* -The opinions expressed are my own, not my employers. */ /* For I can only express my own opinions. */ /* */ /* Kent L. Shephard : email - kls30@DUTS.ccc.amdahl.com */