dlcogswe@vela.acs.oakland.edu (Dan Cogswell) (03/22/91)
ATTENTION! I WANT *YOUR* OPINION!! YES, *YOU*!! I'm considering buying either: (a) An Amiga 3000 for roughyl $2500, or (b) A NeXTStation for roughly $3300. I'd like some opinions as to the merits of each machine (other than simply specs... We all know those). Some possible areas include: -- Satisfaction of the NeXT as well as NeXT, Inc. -- Ease of use (I'm a C.S. Major; I can handle UNIX). -- Availability of quality software (and price). -- Usefullness of each machine (or simply one of them). In other words, I JUST WANT SOME ADVICE! I need a machine for my personal use: budget-keeping, word-processing (TeX/EMACS is fine), programming, entertainment (the "G" word), telecomunications, etc. Obviously, being a C.S. major UNIX experience is a valuable asset. Thanks, all... -- Dan
waltrip@capd.jhuapl.edu (03/23/91)
In article <5491@vela.acs.oakland.edu>, dlcogswe@vela.acs.oakland.edu (Dan Cogswell) writes: > > ATTENTION! I WANT *YOUR* OPINION!! YES, *YOU*!! > > I'm considering buying either: > > (a) An Amiga 3000 for roughyl $2500, or > (b) A NeXTStation for roughly $3300. Well, I don't have either machine (though I've had a NeXTstation on order since December) but since you're so insistent on my opinion:^), here's some comments on why I chose the NeXT. First, I believe both machines are excellent. Further, Commodore has a track record which, from following comp.sys.amiga, would appear second to none in supporting their existing users with upgrade paths, etc. NeXT appears to be making strong efforts in that same direction. Also in common, both companies are small players in a market of giants, so there's a certain amount of risk to keep the old adrenylin flowing (will they be in business tomorrow?). Having said that, for $800 more (using your prices), the NeXTstation buyer gets 3 to 5 times the computing power of the Amiga. S/he gets UNIX on top of a Mach kernel. A state-of-the-art GUI (the Amiga is no slouch either). And Ethernet. As an educational buyer, you have the RIGHT to a bunch of neat software including object-oriented language compiler support, Interface Builder, Mathematica and other great stuff in the so-called extended edition (but note that extended edition doesn't come installed on the 200 Mbyte NeXTstation although you can order the distribution disks for a nominal charge or simply copy it from someone else who has it as you have the rights to it with your NeXTstation). If you buy before March 31, you also get a free copy of Lotus Improv, a spreadsheet that is probably more than adequate to handle those budgeting requirements you mention. There are also many other third party programs, some of which offer educational discounts. Worth mentioning to a CS major are an implementation of the X Window System with the client libraries and an implementation of Motif...available from a third-party (a PD implementation of X with the client libraries is also available and may well suit your needs although it doesn't include Motif, of course, and I don't know whether the third party implementation of Motif would run with it but I expect that it would). I believe, however, that there is probably a wider range of software for the Amiga and it tends to be lower-priced than comparable software for the NeXT. The bottom line is whether you can get the software you want/need for what you can afford. That is an individual matter and, in my case at least, the answer was yes for the NeXT and I believe I will end up with a machine well suited to my particular desires. > > I'd like some opinions as to the merits of each machine (other than > simply specs... We all know those). Some possible areas include: > > -- Satisfaction of the NeXT as well as NeXT, Inc. > -- Ease of use (I'm a C.S. Major; I can handle UNIX). > -- Availability of quality software (and price). > -- Usefullness of each machine (or simply one of them). > > In other words, I JUST WANT SOME ADVICE! > > I need a machine for my personal use: budget-keeping, word-processing > (TeX/EMACS is fine), programming, entertainment (the "G" word), Both machines, I believe, have TeX and EMACS available. Both have rich programming environments (for the Amiga, that is true of both their UNIX and AmigaDOS). The Amiga is probably the clear winner in the games category at the present time. > telecomunications, etc. Obviously, being a CS. major UNIX experience Both machines have a rich telecommunications environment but I would give the edge to NeXT because of the built-in Ethernet. > is a valuable asset. > > Thanks, all... > > -- > Dan Hmmm. Maybe we ought to make up something like a FAQ for people who ask "how would you compare a NeXT to a _______?" People who compose the comparison should like BOTH machines and be prepared to bring out their good points as well as their relative strengths and weaknesses. c.f.waltrip Internet: <waltrip@capsrv.jhuapl.edu> Opinions expressed are my own.