Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!apple!voder!pyramid!octopus!vsi1!daver!athsys!jim
From: jim@athsys.uucp (Jim Becker)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.tech
Subject: Re: Wither Video Toaster? (now NeXT pricing)
Message-ID: <163@tityus.UUCP>
Date: 19 Oct 88 22:11:22 GMT
References: <1370@neoucom.UUCP>
Organization: Athena Systems, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA
Lines: 41

From article <1370@neoucom.UUCP>, by wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew):
> 
> I was pretty surprised that the $6500 price for Jobs' NeXT computer
> has been tossed around so much.  Given what the machine is supposed
> to include, it seems rather bold to promise a price at this
> juncture. 
> 
>						 It amazes me how
> many companies forget the fact that in adition to providing the
> world with a really neat gizmo, that they also have to feed
> themselves, and perhaps make some money for their stockholders
> too.
> 
> --Bill


	I wouldn't hold your breath wondering if Jobs is going to
make money on the NeXT machine, his strategy is excellent. First
get lots of students and profs to write software for it, for cheap,
then sell it to business with all this new software. From what I
have heard, there is a source code converter to "port" Mac -> NeXT
programs automatically. He will have lots of software to make it
popular.

	Also, the extras all have a price tag also. For example, 
the 9600 baud modem is supposedly 80% in the basic box. The 
extra 20% I would assume has a price. Also the harddisk offered
is no basement discount at $3995.00 for 670mb. I'm sure there 
will be other addons needed to get all the functionality. Note 
also that everything is compatible with exactly one system, his,
and one must buy from NeXT to get the functionality. How much do
you think Apple made from LaserWriters this way ?? 

	Finally, the developer documentation is priced at $395.00
for the printed material. Don't doubt that Mr. Jobs has figured
out where he will make some money. I just wonder where he will
be making the DRAMs for 8mb systems. I assume that they will be
either 1mbit or 4mbit, but made here or elsewhere is the question.


-Jim Becker