geller@rlgvax.UUCP (David Geller) (02/17/84)
It had to happen - IBM was just waiting for the right time to release their product. The Washington Post had this to say (2/17/84) "The new machine weighs 30 pounds and comes with a 9-inch diagonal amber screen. The computer runs the IBM PC oper- ating system off of the 5.25-inch floppy disk drive that is built in. An IBM spokeperson said the machine will be priced at $2,795" It will be interesting to see how well Compaq, Columbia, etc. do in light of this product release. When will IBM release their ICON-based (MAC-LIKE) system? {siesmo}!rlgvax!geller David P. Geller
mcmillan@eosp1.UUCP (John McMillan) (02/22/84)
The IBM portable will be cheaper than the PC, it seems. Competitors will have to come to terms with the lowered price. The IBM portable will weigh 30 pounds. Now that's a nice target to compete with. The IBM portable will not be available in quantity for quite a while. The portable competitors will therefore temporarily BENEFIT from the announcement because: - IBM has now blessed the concept Later on, when IBM's shipments build up, the other potable manufacturers will be in trouble. I think that Compaq will be best off among the competitors, since: - They have the portable hard disk - They have not yet committed themselves regarding giveaway software. One of the cheapest ways to compete on price is to give away software with the machine. Compaq hasn't done this yet (I believe). The strategy is open to them, and they can take more time to try to choose what software to give away. - Toby Robison allegra!eosp1!robison decvax!ittvax!eosp1!robison princeton!eosp1!robison (NOTE! NOT McMillan; Robison.)
RICK@Mit-Mc.ARPA (03/29/84)
From: Richard P. Wilkes <RICK@Mit-Mc.ARPA> Personally, I feel that the Compaq is the better luggable computer if you can stand the keyboard that feels like a marshmellow. The Seequa is also good, and much cheaper than both. The Compaq, however, has a SUBSTANTIAL dealer margin and good be discounted heavily when IBM finally gets their production going. -r