Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!pasteur!ucbvax!pro-pac.cts.com!tomj
From: tomj@pro-pac.cts.com (Tom Jenkins)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Apple VS IBM
Message-ID: <8901270656.AA01616@crash.cts.com>
Date: 27 Jan 89 01:32:20 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: pnet01!pro-simasd!pro-nsfmat!pro-pac!tomj@nosc.mil
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 91

Is Apple Computer listening???

I am slowly deciding to sell my Apple ][gs to purchase a
more up to date and state of the art computer system.

In response to all the flame on's concerning the supposed
death of the Apple II line, allow me to make some comments
regarding a single users point of view...

I have owned Apples since 1980, and have gone from the tape
storage to a full blown Apple IIGS.  So you can see, I at
_least_ know how to load a disk in the drive!  I am now
having serious thoughts about the future of the Apple line
and the ][ especially.  Because there has been some talk
recently about this "Apple Future", I am going to make a
decision before the end of this year.  This decision will
ultimately be my continued support of the Apple line or
migration into a more state of the art and up to date
computer system.

I bought an Apple II nine years ago primarily because of the
graphics and versatility of the line.  I could accomplish
things on the Apple that I could not otherwise.  I evolved
from the cassette through five 1/4, three 1/2 to my current
CMS 60Mb.  I've owned the ][, ][+, ][e (standard and
enhanced), ][c and now a GS with 1MB, PC Transporter,
Digitizer and all the peripherals that go with it.  I
purhcased the Apple ][gs in March, 1987.  So you could say I
have devoted several thousand dollars toward the refinement
of this system.  To match the hardware, I have continued to
purchase software and have quite a collection.

I am beginning to wonder though, at all the "other systems"
in computing that offer as much, if not more than the
present Apple ][ line and Apple IIgs in particular.  Is it
not true that for the same amount of investment, I could
have a top of the line 80286 AT machine with EGA graphics
that rival that of the GS?  Additionally, the Amiga is
gaining in user support and offers a substantial value in
computing.  While it _was_ true in the past that Apple
supposedly offered more than 10,000 software programs, I
doubt this is true today.  And I might add, at least here in
Honolulu, that most software stores stock more IBM type
programs than Apple be it business, education, or gaming.
Recently I have been using an 80286 with EGA, and not
amazingly, the graphics are quite good.  Honestly, the lack
of speed on the Apple ][gs limits this potentially powerful
machine.  Apple used to be the first for software material
that everyone would "copy" ideas from.  Now it appears (at
least to me) that this is reversed.  Most of the games
(adventure and the like) are written for Commodore and then
"ported over" to the Apple line!

The bottom line, and what I am saying, is there anyone at
Apple Computing that is listening?  I am sure that there are
other Apple gs owners that would appreciate more interest
taken at the corporate level.  I would also imagine that
these owners would like that more investment be put into the
][ line to bring it up to date with the current standards of
today.  Given the present trend, I don't see the corporation
involvement required to hold (the old timers) and capture
(the new timers) Apple ][ users.

I would recommend at least (and I am sure that you have
heard this before):
=========================================================
o  A _real_ Apple ][gs PLUS! (at LEAST 7Mhz)
o  True SCSI port that conforms to the industry standard
o  Non-chiclit keyboard (this one slipped out - I HATE the
gs's keyboard compared to a full size one)
o  Mappable Slots
o  An inexpensive upgrade to existing gs owners (<$300)
=========================================================

I stated above that I had a decision to make.  If the Apple
][ does not change for the better, both technologically and
market wise (pricing), I will consider helping some other
poor soul out with a used Apple ][gs with all the fixin's,
and I'll use this financial backing to purchase a more state
of the art computer system.  This is very true, and not
intended to be a threat.  Just a mature and wise decision
from a frustrated Apple ][ user.  Any comments?  And yes,
I'll take on all questions and flames.  After all, isn't
that what America is all about?


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