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From: lmg@sfmin.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.att
Subject: PC 7300: Why now?
Message-ID: <820@sfmin.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 24-Jun-87 11:21:40 EDT
Article-I.D.: sfmin.820
Posted: Wed Jun 24 11:21:40 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 27-Jun-87 04:12:32 EDT
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Summit N.J.
Lines: 56

As one who became involved with the UNIX PC shortly before its
introduction, I'm fascinated by the sudden heavy interest in
this machine. I'm also a bit confused as to why it's happening.

I (and others) felt that the machine had many good points:

	It's a personal UNIX(R) system.
	Multitasking, multiuser. Great for a small office.
	You can use the console, or a terminal, or dial in while away.
	Bitmapped graphics. Reasonably high resolution.
	Many standard features (monitor, modem, mouse, ports, phone dialer.)
	Powerful (The fastest "personal computer" then was the PC/AT.)
	Good price/performance.

In spite of the apparent advantages, sales were somewhat less than expected.
(Translation: It was one of the biggest bombs since Hiroshima.) The main
criticisms, as I recall, were:

	The hard disk - 85ms, 20Meg, noisy.
	Noisy fans.
	Proprietary bus. Not enough slots.
	Nonremovable monitor. No provision for color.
	"No software". No MS-DOS.
	Expensive.

Some of these items were later rectified. The "3B1" (God how we hated
that name!) came out with large, fast, quiet disks. Variable speed fans
were installed. The software base grew (There is more software available
for the UNIX PC now than there is for Microport System V/AT, if I'm not
mistaken.) The DOS-73 board was released.

None of this helped sales. Only now, when prices are at fire sale levels,
is the machine selling like hotcakes.

Is that all it needed, an 80% price reduction? Is that why we have to beat
off customers with a stick now, when before we couldn't give the machine
away? What turned a sow's ear into a silk purse? Or is it still a sow's ear?
This inquiring mind wants to know!

Let me ask it this way: If you're considering a UNIX PC (or 3B1) now,

	1. Why?
	1a. Why not just buy a 386 AT clone?
	2. Why didn't you buy it 2 years ago?
	3. What features attract you to the machine?
	4. What aspects make you hesitate?
	5. How could AT&T have done it better?

I'll also entertain flames from those who wouldn't touch the machine
with a ten foot pole. Any enlightenment will be appreciated.

Note: These are my opinions. This is not an official survey.
      AT&T knows nothing about this.

					Larry Geary
					ihnp4!attunix!lmg