Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ncar!tank!ra_robert@gsbacd.uchicago.edu
From: ra_robert@gsbacd.uchicago.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Re: Apple's APDA: G'bye Amateurs & Fans (really defending A.P.P.L.E.)
Message-ID: <1797@tank.uchicago.edu>
Date: 11 Feb 89 21:20:42 GMT
Sender: news@tank.uchicago.edu
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
Lines: 50




In article <10330132@accuvax.nwu.edu>, bob@accuvax.nwu.edu (Bob Hablutzel)
writes... 
 
>>This is interesting.  I recently decided to begin some serious yet 
>>amateur programming.  I have tried to economize and always buy the best
>>bargains, but I would not skimp if it meant incomplete documentation:
> 
[how mac programming aids cost more than next programming aids]
> 
>>Everyone knows the macintosh is too expensive to program.  Apple is
>>just exploiting this fact.
> 
> 
>Shall we make the list complete? We are talking about the beginning programmer,
>not the professional, right? So:
> 
>	Macintosh				Next
> 
>	Mac Plus (or SE)	About $2-3000	Next box	$6500
> 
>If we are talking about the random beginning programmer, the Next box isn't
>even obtainable. If we are talking about a random student programmer, the
>Mac is still cheaper to start on than the Next. If we are talking about a 
>professional programmer, the difference in price will be quickly made up by
>the greater market potential of the Mac.


                                      
One other thing to note: in Bob's note the Next is listed at $6500.  This is
(of course) the student price.  But to compare student prices with student
prices: if you're a student, you can now get an SE/30 for a price at the upper
end of the $2000-3000 price Bob mentioned for the Plus & SE. In fact, you can
get a Plus for a little over $1000, and an SE for somewhat less then $2000.
(And even if you're not a student, you can get a Plus _retail_ for about
$1200.) Now I'm not even beginning to compare the functionality of a Mac Plus
with a Next box, but we're talking affordability, right?  The Mac prices would
seem more in line with what most non-rich, not-yet-established programmers
could afford.  (And I think you can do some serious hacking on a Mac Plus:
remember, that was what all those cool apps were written on before the SE and
// came along.)


Robert
------
ra_robert@gsbacd.uchicago.edu
------
generic disclaimer: all my opinions are mine