Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac:14659 comp.sys.mac.programmer:368
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att-cb!att-ih!pacbell!ames!pasteur!agate!violet.berkeley.edu!lagache
From: lagache@violet.berkeley.edu (Edouard Lagache)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Give me a good reason to buy a Mac.
Keywords: PROLOG, educational software development, expansion questions
Message-ID: <8269@agate.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: 2 Apr 88 22:41:04 GMT
Sender: usenet@agate.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: lagache@violet.berkeley.edu (Edouard Lagache)
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 52



          I have a question for all those satisfied Mac users out there -
     why should I join your ranks?

          Now this is not a general question,  I come from a somewhat
     unusual background, I have very specific needs.  There are some serious
     constraints on my decision (mainly $$$), and I am also very afraid of
     buying a machine that will soon become obsolete (for my needs).

          I am presently using a 8088 based PC system, and I would be using
     the Mac for mainly two purposes: word processing (where any old Mac
     will do), and developing Educational Software using A.I techniques in
     PROLOG.  This later business requires both lots of speed and power.

          It seems to me that at the very least the Mac plus is ruled out by
     the lack of memory.  The Mac SE looks better, but it isn't all that
     fast and the expansion options are limited.

          So it is the Mac II for me, right? - Wrong.  First, the Mac II is
     a very pricey animal, second it is using a CPU that has already been
     superceded, third the cost of accessories for that machine make it
     impossible for me to put together a complete system.

          As I see it, I have 4 options:

     1.)  Buy a Mac SE and risk outgrowing it.

     2.)  Buy a half equipped Mac II, and hope that I am able to eventually
          upgrade it.

     3.)  Wait until Apple comes out with a Mac II+ (or whatever) with a
          68030 CPU and a 25 Mhz (or so) clock speed.

     4.)  Buy an 80386 CPU based AT clone.  Save myself a healthy chunk of
          dough, and hope that the software mess for those machines gets
          finally strengthened out someday.

          Some further notes.  Because of the way Apple has cornered the
     educational computer market, I expect to be delivering my software on
     something like a Mac+.  Also, while I am using A.I. techniques, I don't
     think that my software is particularly demanding on hardware (I have a
     demo system that runs just fine on my PC).  Finally, I abhor the
     thought of accelerator cards!  If I bought a Mac II now, I would much
     rather swap motherboards, than to lose an expansion slot, and have two
     CPUs when I need only one!

          Okay folks fire away.  Be forewarned that, while I am reasonably
     knowledgeable computer nut, I am basically a Mac neophile.  Also,
     please reply directly to me unless you are certain your comments are of
     general interest.  I will post a summary or replies if there is enough
     interest.