Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!apple!keith
From: keith@Apple.COM (Keith Rollin)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Bye bye Billion
Message-ID: <26328@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 24 Feb 89 20:44:55 GMT
References: <8901201318.AA05736@crash.cts.com> <6525@ecsvax.UUCP> <841@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU> <615NETOPRHM@NCSUVM>
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA
Lines: 65

In article <615NETOPRHM@NCSUVM> NETOPRHM@NCSUVM.BITNET (Hal Meeks) writes:
>It is generally agreed that a faster clock speed (or faster CPU) would
>help the GS remain competitive.
>
>What would also help is for Apple to come up with some sort of concise
>plan as to the future of the GS. I have the strong feeling that the
>GS is the machine that "almost did". It had some very strong initial
>arguments in favor of it when it was released. I know, because I looked
>at it very closely before buying my Amiga.

Apple DOES have a concise plan for the GS. However, no one outside of Apple is
familiar with it due to Apple's policy of not talking about future products. I'd
love to tell you all what is in the pipe for the Apple II line, but our
lawyers prevent me.

For a long time, I resented being constrained by this policy, but after spend-
ing time on these networks, I begin to see the reason for it. It's a kind of
"Damned if you do, damned if you don't - Catch 22" situation. On the one hand,
you have the people who complain that Apple isn't doing anything, when in fact
we are; it's just that no one knows about it. On the other hand, if we did
announce our plans, no one would buy our computers, waiting for the next
latest and greatest. I've seen this happen many times. Often, someone will
post a question like: "I would like to get a Mac IIx, but MacWeek says that
Apple will be coming out with the Mac IIy in a couple of months. Should I buy
now or buy later?" Especially within Apple the situation is prevalent, because
many of us know what is in the pipes. A lot of people hold off on getting
their Lown-to-Own computer systems because they want to get the most powerful
one Apple has to offer. However, by the time that system becomes available in
the company store, they hear of some other new whiz-bang computer, and start
waiting for IT.

Put yourself in that situation. Suppose you were looking for a computer to by,
and were attracted to the Apple IIgs. You talk to your friends about it, and
they tell you of some rumours concerning an Apple IIgs+. Wouldn't you wait for
it to come out before making your decision? I know would. And as a matter of
fact, I did. In the Winter of 83, I was thinking of finally buying my own 
Apple. At the time, the latest version was the Apple ][+. However, I heard
rumours of an Apple //e. So I waited a few months, and in January of 84, Apple
announced the Apple //e.

>
>I get the feeling from reading this group that Apple would very much
>like to see the Apple II line fade away, but they don't want any
>blood on their hands. They want the money from their sales, but don't
>want to divert any of the R&D money being spent on the Mac line to make
>the GS truly competive for the first time buyer.

I think that you are really getting the impression from reading this group that
SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS GROUP *THINK* that Apple would very much like to
see the Apple II line fade away. There are 3 Apple people active on this net
(myself, Mark Johnson, and Rick Ewing), none of us whom would like to see the
Apple II go away. Considering our feelings, I don't think that any of us would
give the impression that we think the Apple II is going away in the near
future.

Think about it. Why SHOULD Apple discontinue the Apple II line? People want
them, and we're in the business of selling them. Where is there a problem?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keith Rollin  ---  Apple Computer, Inc.  ---  Developer Technical Support
INTERNET: keith@apple.com
    UUCP: {decwrl, hoptoad, nsc, sun, amdahl}!apple!keith
"Argue for your Apple, and sure enough, it's yours" - Keith Rollin, Contusions