Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!cs.umn.edu!msi.umn.edu!noc.MR.NET!gacvx2.gac.edu!gacvx2.gac.edu!scott From: scott@mcs-server.gac.edu (Scott Hess) Newsgroups: comp.sys.next Subject: Re: InfoWorld article on 88110 NeXT Message-ID: Date: 14 Jun 91 05:38:36 GMT References: <16973@darkstar.ucsc.edu> Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College Lines: 56 Nntp-Posting-Host: mcs-server.gac.edu In-reply-to: isbell@ucscf.UCSC.EDU's message of 12 Jun 91 15:29:16 GMTLines: 56 In article <16973@darkstar.ucsc.edu> isbell@ucscf.UCSC.EDU (Art Isbell) writes: With 12 megabytes of RAM, a 100-megabyte hard disk drive, and a 16-inch color monitor, the RISC NextStation could sell for approximately what the current 68040 design does, sources said. Regardless of whether the rest of the article is correct, I'm on my knees praying that this part is not. An 88000 machine with that disk space and that memory, running _color_, no less, would probably not perform noticably better than the NextStation 105M in the area of _perceived_ performance (the important stuff - the performance you see when you double-click an icon to launch an app, or swithc between apps, or work with pictures . . .) To see my point, compare a NextStation105 w/8M RAM with one w/16M (on a network, so you can import all the extended edition stuff). The 16M machine is loads faster. The NextStation400 w/16M is even better - and if you run more than about 3 apps, 32M will be what you need (unless you use Mathimatica, or throw lots of data around - in which case it's _required_). For the 88000 series, things are worse. For one, the instruction set will tend to give bigger programs - that's part of the whole idea behind RISC, to use simpler instructions, and more of them. The 88000 isn't as bad as some, but programs will appear more bloated than 68000-targeted versions. So, the disk space and memory space are mucho important. [ Lastly, some flamage. Alot of people make fun of EPS (and lately, myself) for our insistance that no matter the raw performance of your CPU, you really are going to need the memory and disk space. Rather than attempt to argue, as most apparently don't listen, I would advise anyone who's doubtful to go out and find a NextStation400M w/16M or 32M of memory, and a 105M machine with 8M, and do a side-by-side comparison. It will literally blow your socks off. We're not talking fractions of a second differences here - in many cases, it's order of _magnitude_. For instance, launch Edit on a file on the 105/8 machine. Then, on the 400/16 machine. The 400/16 is fast enough that you really don't notice the launch time, while the 105/8 takes long enough that you start to get up to pace the room. That's the difference between enjoying your time on the machine, and spending it in frustration . . .] Later, -- scott hess scott@gac.edu Independent NeXT Developer Graduated GAC Undergrad! Note: I have moved home for a time. My email address will still be valid. Any SnailMail should be redirected, along with phone calls. At the least, my parents can tell you how to get hold of me, or forward any mail . . . Old: PO 829, GAC, St. Peter, MN 56082 (507) 933-8466 New: RR#4 Box 227 Pipestone, MN 56164 (507) 825-2788