mort@ihuxn.UUCP (Dubman) (12/26/84)
I posted this to net.micro a few days ago, but just found out about
net.micro.mac so I am reposting it here. I apologize if you have already
seen it.
>From Computer & Software News, Vol. 2 No. 52, December 24, 1984...
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EXPECT FAT MAC WITH 2ND DISK DRIVE NEXT MONTH
By Robert Scott
Cupertino, Calif.- A Fat Mac with 12-in. screen and a second disk
drive, features to position the Macintosh for a better chance in the business
market, is expected to be introduced by Apple next month.
Analysts expect the born-again Fat Mac to be introduced at Apple's
shareholder's meeting Jan. 24, as the major product announcement in the
tradition of past Apple introduction rituals.
Analysts, however, are divided as to whether Apple will offer two
new products, based on belief that the Mac upgrade due next month may not
feature Unix, an addition speculated on for some time.
Most analysts do expect a hard disk, more keys for greater cursor
control and a $3000-plus price tag.
"I think there will be a hard disk," predicts Donald Haback, director
of research, Freimark Blair, a New York financial firm. Haback says, color
will be available, although probably as an option, not as a feature.
Although Haback has not seen the upgraded Mac, he said his research
lends him to believe the pending upgrade was the major factor behind
Lotus' delay in the introduction of Jazz, the integrated software for the
512K Mac, which will not be shipped until sometime in the first quarter.
Apple could not be reached for comment at presstime.
A West Coast industry analyst also presicted the upgraded Fat Mac,
saying the larger screen and second disk drive will be available as
features being demanded by the business community.
Apple's efforts to challenge IBM's dominance in the business community
has been hampered, first by a lack of software and hen by the fact that
new integrated packages required more memory.
The introduction of the 512K Mac was dampened by the delayed release
of Jazz.
Apple will stick to the Motorola 68000 chip in the upgrade.
A feature that both Haback and the West Coast analyst are uncertain
about is whether the new machine will run Unix or whether Unix will be
available on what is perhaps a second Mac upgrade waiting in the wings.
Upgrade of the 512K Mac will change the market for the 128K Mac,
whose street price has been declining throughout the fall, since the
announcement of Fat Mac.
With street prices ranging as low as $1495 in four or five markets,
Mac's sale price is more typically the $1788 offered during sales by
Sears' Business Systems Centers.
Haback, who considers the 128K Mac a home machine, said the upgrades
will push the 128K machine "down to the home hobby market." *
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--
Jonathan Dubman - care of:
Mort Dubman AT&T Bell Laboratories
ihnp4!ihuxn!mort Naperville, IL.