From: stuartm@rocksalt.Eng.Sun.COM (StuartM)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: PC Prices, Reality Check (was Re: switching to IBM)
Date: 14 Apr 92 23:00:02 GMT
Reply-To: stuartm@Eng.Sun.COM (StuartM)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.  Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: rocksalt

> From: stewartm@bfield.uucp (Stewart Mckinnon)
> Subject: Re: Considering switching to IBM
> Organization: Bakers Field BBS
> 
> In article <1992Apr10.030258.22216@nic.unh.edu>, ggg@kepler.unh.edu (Gregory G
> Greene) writes:
> >       Plus the 486 system is a heck of a lot less expensive then an 040
> >  based A3000. 
> >                                               G.Greene
> 
> ILLUSION. Add on all the boards, options, bells and whistles onto your 486
> to make it *approach* an A3000 - and then check your "less expensive price"
> 
> This "arguement" has been hashed over SO many times. Let's try to keep it
> original. folks.
> 
> *****************************************************************************
> *   "What other computer is there?"
> *   "Amiga Users.....we march to a different drummer."                      *
> *****************************************************************************

I bought an A1000 in early 1986 and have upgraded to various Amigas several 
times since then.  Until 2 months ago, I had never considered getting a pc 
clone.  Now it seems that I might get one.  And if I do, I'll keep my Amiga.
It has plenty to offer too!

TIMES CHANGE, until the Amiga line makes the next leapfrog at the high end,
	pc hardware is very attractive for many people.

Here is a sample PC 486 system, *WITH* all the bells and whistles:

$  600	Motherboard, 80486 @ 33 MHz (Math coprocessor built in.)
$  160	4 MB (4 1Megx9 Simms)
$  100	MidTower case w 230 W power supply.
$   60	3 1/2" 1.44 MB Floppy Drive
$   60	5 1/4" 1.2 MB Floppy Drive (Amiga system below has ONE floppy)
$   25	IDE 2HD/2FD/2Ser/Par/Game
$  300	105 MB Quantum IDE hard disk
$  225	Video card: Orchid Pro Designer IIs, 1 MB video ram, 1024 x 768
$  600  Sony 1304 HG 14" Monitor
$  120	Sound blaster card, 11 voice, stereo, with built in digitizer.
$   90	LogiTech Mouseman AND MS Windows 3.0
$   60	MS Dos 5.0
=========
$ 2400	(All these prices are available in Computer Shopper, Prices in
	Silicon Valley are about 5% - 10% less.  Check out MicroTimes
	and Computer Currents)
	(BTW, these systems are supposed to be running at around 14 MIPS.
		according to various ads... (flame suit on.))

A3000 '030 / 25 MHz / 2 MB chip / 4 MB fast ram
	105 MB SCSI Quantum
	(inc.  Mouse, windows, dos, sound, and video)
	(Math coprocessor included.)
The same Sony 1304 HG monitor.
==========
I think most people in this group know the prices of these. (~ $ 3k)
(Please do not flame me and post educational prices in rebuttle, the
486 above is available to the average Joe, and so should the Amiga price,
feel free to include the $500 rebate, for two more weeks...)

I am not saying that one is better than the other.  I just want to inform
many Amiga users that a good 486/33Mhz system can be had for a lot less
than most of the flame posters in this group would think.

To top it off, the 486 DX2 25MHz / 50MHz systems add 35% performance and
	not a lot of cost.

-Stuart		stuartm@eng.sun.com		These are only my opinions.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy