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From: vantreeck@logic.DEC
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac
Subject: Re: Atari ST vs. Apple Mac
Message-ID: <2333@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 28-May-85 10:55:24 EDT
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Posted: Tue May 28 10:55:24 1985
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       The disparity in prices between the MAC and Atari ST, does not indicate
that Apple ripping anyone off. Rather, I think that it indicates that Atari has
not yet learned about margins. I suspect that MAC's suggested retail price is
about three times the cost of manufacture. And there's about a four or five
time markup on disk drives. This kind of markup is the usual for those in the
computer industry that not only survive but thrive. 

       Atari has had financial problems before. It appears that Atari has
not yet balanced it good technical and marketing prowess with good finanacial
management. In order to make an adequate profit selling at Atari's very low
margins, it would have to sell in volumes that a rapidly maturing market can
not support. Even Big Blue has discovered this and has started putting more
emphasis on the AT line which has more growth potential.

       You may get a great buy on an ATARI ST today. But will there be an ATARI
tomorrow to support your ST? That's a gamble I'm not going to take at this
time. I'm sticking with my MAC. 


						George Van Treeck