From: putzolu@toadflax.cs.ucdavis.edu (David Putzolu)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.advocacy
Subject: NeXT Prices: They appear too high for me!
Date: 10 Nov 92 02:50:59 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of California, Davis

Hi NeXT advocates. I've been lurking around the C.S.Next groups
for awhile, and am quite impressed with your machine. Preemptive MT,
MACH kernel, NextStep, IB, bundled apps, etc., make the NeXT quite
an impressive computer. One thing I am still unconvinced about is
price. The following is a comparison based on the educational
prices available at the University of California at Davis.

Quadra 700, 4MB, No HD  :  3327       NeXTstation Turbo, 16MB,
Add 4MB via mail order  :   120         250MH HD                :   4575
120 MB HD via mail order:   329       MegaPixel Monochome       :    797
Mac 16"  Color Monitor  :  1144       NeXT "Starting Point" Kit :    179
Apple Extended Keyboard :   159
TOTALS:                 $ 5,079                                  $ 5,551

I admit that the Next Configuration shown here has more resources in
terms of processor power, memory, hard drive, etc., but it appears to
me that the NeXT OS consumes most of these resources itself. Display
postscript (I assume) is what causes the Turbo to _not_ appear as 
responsive as the 700. Similarly, I assume that NextStep's resource
requirements cause the slowness seen when a NextStation tries to run
multiple programs when configured with 8MB. I am running 
MicroSloth Word 5 (a notorious pig), MacLayers, a calculator, the finder,
a couple of random small apps, and still have enough free to load up
Hypercard or Think Pascal. Without thrashing, slow response time, etc.
I have 256 color _fast_ graphics, and _plenty_ of free space on my
105MB hard drive (don't be confused here, the above Quadra listed is
not what I have, but is instead listed as what I consider to be
something comparable to the NeXT that is listed above).
Try to put a development system, a good word
processor, + misc other stuff on a NeXT w/less than 250 MB HD. Try to
run them quickly on a NeXT with 8MB.

Please, don't get me wrong. I am _not_ trying to cut down on NeXT.
I really like what I have heard, and have enjoying playing with one
at the University thieves den ^H^H^H^H^H^H uhh, computer shop. I
wouldn't mind selling my computer to get a NeXT, but it seems to me
that I would end up paying more money for a system that is less
responsive (DPS), less visually appealing (4 Grays v. 256 Colors), and
less expandable (700 has 2 NuBus slots, 1 Processor Direct Slot, and
a ROM simm slot that can be used to upgrade my machine to 33Mhz
for < $400). Or have I missed something?

Eagerly awaiting your replies via email or posting...

| David M. A. Putzolu               | putzolu@cs.ucdavis.edu               |
| Senior, CS & Psych, U.C. Davis    | op disclaimer(opinion : ptr mine)    |
| "Put your hand on the TV screen and repeat after me: I do hereby promise |
| only to watch the Ren & Stimpy show,  to make underleg noises during the |
| good scenes,  to wear unwashed lederhosen  every single day  of the rest |
| of my life! That's it! You are in our secret club!"                      |