From: Sean_Church@pages.com(Sean Church)
Subject: Re: major purchase decision?
Organization: Banzai Research Institute
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 14:32:59 GMT

In article <1992Sep2.201542.8576@atinc.uucp> root@atinc.uucp (Operator) writes:
> 
>     I'm trying to decide whether to plunge into my "Next" decision.   
Currently,
> I have a MacII-CX, 8Meg, hard drives total of 210Meg, with AU/X 2.0, and XR4
> using twm. I develop alot of Motif/X stuff at work (Sun & HP workstations),
> and typically work on the X layer at home.  I'm currently developing widgets,
> so this setup is working out fine.  But, my Mac is slow (68030@16mhz), so  
compiles
> (using cc or gnu) are slower than I would expect( but in general, the system  
is slow).
> 

Adding more memory to the Mac might help, though I have no clue as to the  
maximum memory potential of a MACII-CX. The NeXT system is not "peppy" with 8  
MB, of RAM, either. I would suggest 32 MB (Though some people go for the gusto  
and use 64 MB...). The break-away-from-the-SWAP-party occurs somewhere after 20  
MB on a NeXT, though it really does depend on just how much you try to load in  
VM.
>     So, now the decision!  Do I upgrade my Mac (cpu, memory, AU/X 3.0, cdrom,  
....),
> or a NeXT. I like to Next for 2 reasons: the development envir.  
(object_oriented), and
> it can be configured to be an X workstation, using either Co-Xist or possibly  
Cub-X.
> I'm looking at this configuration:
> 
>         NextStation - Color, 25mhz/040, 16Meg ram, 250Meg drive, Rel. 3.0.
> 
>     Will I be happy with this performance? Any input to my concerns on  
configuration
> and performance would be appreciated.  I know i'm probably trying to compare  
apples
> to oranges, but I'm looking for workstation performance, not just another MAC  
Quadra,
> or a pretty box with a nice interface (impressive i might add). I realize its  
not risc,
> but I'm spoiled. If I got my Mac to used also as a dos machine (SoftPC/AT is  
great), a
> unix box (which I use almost always), I'm sure I can configure the NeXT with  
endless
> possibilities (am I being naive?).
> 
>     Also, if I use my existing external scsi drives, can I found formatting  
software
> out there for NeXT?  What cdrom drives are out there that are compatible with  
the
> Mac and NeXT?
> 
>     I'd like you to tell me yeh, your going to like it, do it!, but I want  
the best
> of both worlds: the NeXT envir., and workstation performance when it need it.  
Keep
> in mind that I want to keep this affordable (yeah, right).
> 
>                                                 Thankx, ronyd@atinc

Stupid suggestion :
NeXT Station Color, 32 MB RAM, 520 MB drive.
The 520's are getting cheaper. I don't think you can build a development system  
on a 250 MB drive (without some serious work). What I have seen is 400 MB+ to  
get a development system up and running, and have room on the disk to really do  
anything serious.
RAM is getting cheaper, cheaper, cheaper. The NeXT station color ram is -NOT-  
the same type as the RAM used in MAC's. 

As for SCSI devices, like CD-ROM, OD's, disks, etc, there may be some problems,  
but I have not found major ones. We have an Apple CD-ROM  drive that works fine  
with  NeXT equipment. Soon, I will be evaluating a RICOH OD drive system for  
use with NeXT Stations. So far, I have had few problems integrating devices to  
the NeXT. It all has to do with the firmware that the manufacturers burn into  
their SCSI devices.

I have found that some of the best pricing and service for SCSI devices is  
found in the Macintosh-focused market, since their market is larger. They  
handle the volume of devices to really have spares to back you up with and have  
a technical staff on hand.

Formatting Software ?
NeXTStep 3.0 reads and writes to Macintosh volumes (disks, etc). You can format  
a floppy disk for Macintosh use. As far as formatting drives for use with the  
NeXT, not a problem, it's part of the O.S., as long as the drive will work with  
NeXT machines.

e-mail for more detailed info. I am not posting pricing, as I have seen people  
doing -the freak- over this in other areas on the Net.

Sean
sean@pages.com
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