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From: jwabik@umnd-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: IBM's new System 2 Personal Computers (Really Personal System/2)
Message-ID: <515@umnd-cs.D.UMN.EDU>
Date: Mon, 6-Apr-87 19:32:05 EST
Article-I.D.: umnd-cs.515
Posted: Mon Apr  6 19:32:05 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 9-Apr-87 00:50:47 EST
Distribution: na
Organization: U. of Minnesota-Duluth, Computer Science
Lines: 65
Summary: Editorial Rebuttal

> In article <775@oliveb.UUCP>, tslu@oliveb.UUCP (Shang Lu) writes:
> The following is a summary of two articles from local San Jose
> Mercury News, concerning the newly announced IBM Personal System 2
> Personal Computers:
 
They're called "IBM Personal System/2".

> *  The Model 30 is a JOKE !!
  
This really doesn't have much meaning without some sort of explanation.  
The model 30 is approximately 2.5x an XT (as far as performance), for 
about $1200 less.  (5160-089(PC/XT) = $2,895; 8530-002(Mod 30) = $1,695) 
The model 30 is IBM's effort to remain completely compatible with previous
IBM PCs, which most would consider to be smart rather than a "joke".
  
> *  Apple has a minimum of a one-year lead, IBM has a long way to
>    get where the MAC is now.
  
Big deal.  The question is:  Where IS the Mac now?  "SE = Slightly Enhanced".
This, as usual, is like comparing apples [no pun] to oranges.  Both the 
Personal Systems/2 (hereafter PS/2) and Macs are designed for completely
different things -- This statement implies that IBM is trying to catch
up with Apple, which most likely is not the case.  I'd like to see the
ratio of installed IBM PCs to Apple Macs!  
  
> *  IBM's announcements were incomplete, IBM is probably the only
>    company that could do what they've done. (The software will
>    not be ready for months.)

>    It is like General Motors changing all their cars and then
>    having no gas to put into them.  

DOS 3.3 was announced on April 2 along with the PS/2's..  OS/2 is coming
at the end of the year.  OS/2v2 in 1Q88.  I guess it would have been nice
to have OS/2 right away, but the fact that DOS 3.3 will run under OS/2
is VERY significant -- at least you wont need to completely rechange your
thinking (unless you want to 8^) when the new OS' come out.  There is
"gas" to put in your "car", its just that the higher octane stuff is
still being refined.
  
> *  This year, the sales of Apple's MAC may benefit from the
>    relatively high price of the Model 30, some analysts say.
  
Again.  The model 30 is $1695, with 640K, two 720K 3.5" drives, built
in serial/parallel and graphics adapters.  What does a similarly equipped
MAC (any configuration) cost?  How does the performace compare?
  
> *  They (IBM) really don't seem to have any entry-level machine.
>    From a strategic business sense, they (IBM) seem to to be
>    focus on revenues and profits rather than units and market
>    share.

The reason IBM doesn't have an "entry level system" is because business
users have been complaining about "not enough power" with their PCs and
PC/XT's for YEARS AND YEARS now..  The fact is (for quite some 
time, now.. ) that 640K and at least two disk drives (actually, 20MB fixed
disks have been in GREAT demand) IS the MINIMUM STANDARD configuration.
Don't you think IBM LEARNED about ENTRY LEVEL PC's with the PCjr?!  

Don't forget that the B (in IBM) means "Business".  

Just a few idle ramblings in defense if Big Blue....


	-Jeff