From: alex@laos (Alex D. Nghiem)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.misc
Subject: Re: major purchase decision?
Keywords: system, purchase, X, memory
Date: 3 Sep 92 14:59:21 GMT
Reply-To: alex@pencom.com
Organization: Pencom Software

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).
> 
>     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

I tried to e-mail you but that bounced, so....

First off, let me warn you that I work for Pencom, which produces co-Xist, so I  
may be a little biased :).  Anyway, with 16MB for a color system, you're going  
to spend a lot of time waiting, especially if you're going to be doing  
running/developing X stuff.  3.0 seems to page more than 2.1 ever did, so this  
may be another incentive to buy more memory.  Finally, keep in mind that the X  
distribution (ours or Cub'X) is around 55MB, so make sure that you have plenty  
of disk space.

Hope this helps....


Best regards,


Alex Duong Nghiem          Phone: (512) 343-1111
Pencom Software            Fax:   (512) 343-9650   
9050 Capital of TX Hwy N.  Mail:  alex@pencom.com
Suite 300                  Mail:  co-Xist_support@pencom.com
Austin, TX 78759           Mail:  co-Xist_info@pencom.com
USA
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Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.misc