From: dblackbu@carr11.alleg.edu (David Blackburn)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: OK, so what to buy....?
Date: 7 Oct 92 15:16:00 GMT
Organization: Allegheny College

:From: dlamber@andy.bgsu.edu (Don Lambert)
:Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 05:42:42 GMT
:
:After talking with our campus Apple Rep., it sounds like the Performa are
:not only "repackaged" but to some extent they are down graded machines.
:This down grade shows mostly in the monitors. Where the current 13" monitor
:is a 3 gun system the Performa monitor is 1 gun. Ultimately the graphics
:and colors will suffer.
:
:
:Don Lambert
:University Computer Services
:Bowling Green State University
:
:From: flash@austin.lockheed.com (James W. Melton)
:Subject: Re: Let's talk Performas, Boys and Girls
:Date: 7 Oct 92 02:53:43 GMT
:
:>That is all that I am trying to make clear, that current Mac owners should
:>evaluate their needs before rushing out and upgrading to a Performa.
:
:Upgrade? The Performa 200 is a Classic II, the 400 is an LC II, and
:the 600 is closely related to the II vx/vi line (whenever they
:begin shipping).
:
:These are not *better* machines, they are merely repackaged for
:marketing.
:
:As you said earlier (I think), Apple is selling to people who are
:looking at VCRs and the Mac catches their eye. They do not EXPECT
:that a knowlegable computer user will buy one. The Performa is
:targeted at the ~7 million homes that can afford a computer but do
:not own one. This is not the DTP market!


OK, here's the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything:

	I'm going to upgrade from my ancient Plus. I am willing to spend about  
$3000 total for my new color medium/high end Mac, with monitor, etc. I will be  
not be buying before November, i. e. shortly after the Performa 600 and  
IIvx/vi are released. I'd also like a CD-ROM so it could be either the P600CD  
or an external PhotoCD compatible. (Apple's is the first multisession one  
available, nyet?) 
	So, oh net.hardware.wizards, what will be the best deal? A P600CD, a  
IIv*, or a IIci at discontinuation prices? And for monitors: Performa, regular  
Apple, or third-party? 
	Also, how long does Apple usually take to fix all hardware bugs in a  
new line like the IIv*'s? Should I wait until the 2nd production round has  
fixed the dreaded XXX bug?
	Are discount stores other than Sears and Office Max going to be  
carrying Performas? (My local Sears will only special-order the P600, it won't  
be a regular stock item. Thus I can't torture it in the store.)
	My needs are now for word processing, Hypercard, games, lightweight  
graphics, and general home use. I am also a scientist so there may be a need  
for some heavy processing in terms of number crunching or molecular modeling,  
though I am not sure what program I'll use. Hence the need for more than the  
P400. 
	Please direct responses to the e-mail in my .sig, so as not to start  
another yes-it-is/no-it-isn't flameathon over hardware bus speeds and whether  
or not the bus stops at the grocery store. 
	Responses from people who are planning to sell used equipment that  
meets my needs are also encouraged, though I'd rather get new. 
	Thanks for all input. 


--

* Dave Blackburn  dblackbu@alleg.edu  flames to self@home.dev.null *          
* Chemistry, Macs, Hypercard, cats,  <>< religion, & the Dead      *
* (Anyone else who held these opinions would be as crazy as I am.) *
*   "Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own"   *