songer@orchestra.ecn.purdue.edu (Christopher M Songer) (11/01/90)
Hi,
I've received a couple of requests for the following so I figured
I'd post it. It also fits in nicely with the NeXT vs. Joe Computer disscussions
that have been fashionable of late. While most of the recent comparisons have tried
to answer the question: "Should the NeXT be my next home computer?", this is more
towards: "Should the NeXT be my next development platform?"
This is a summary of the information I have received and
the results of the evaluation I went through in deciding between a
Sparc SLC and the NeXTStation Mono.
Both the NeXT and the SLC run UNIX though the NeXT is based on a MACH
kernel. Since MACH is only the kernal of the operating system and the system
is BSD 4.3 above the kernal level, most UNIX public domain stuff should
compile without major problems. I think that the slab's tree structure
requires slight changes to make the compiles go. I'm sure it is nothing
a couple of sym-links won't fix. As far as OS sources go, I think the
individual user is pretty much out of luck since much of the OS contains
AT&T code. MACH is quickly becoming free of proprietary source, but who wants
to run just a kernel? (And what would you do with it?)
The base slab comes with a limited version of the OS, however, you
are licensed for the whole thing. NeXT will distribute the rest of it to
you for $175. This is cost of media. The 3meg floppies are currently
comparitively expensive since the NeXT is about the only machine to use them. The
full OS takes about 210meg of your disk space. Note that some of the things
one could probably leave on floppy (ex:Shakespear I am not likely to need.)
Also note that this does not include swap space.
The complete software release blows away what comes on SUN OS. If you
are a developer, it comes with all sorts of useful tools. If you aren't
it has alot of conveniences you are going to pay more for on the SUN.
The list is way too long to include.
However, X11R4 compiles on SUN OS. While there is a port for the NeXT,
it is in Beta and it is not supposed to be available in until early November.
NeXT is not one of the machines that Project Athena makes their code directly
available for. Until this changes, there is probably going to be a lag between new
versions of X and its availability on the NeXT.
My choice was the NeXT over the SLC. This was based on the
following:
-Speed
-Cost of complete system.
-Included Software.
The biggie was cheaper. The NeXT is only mildly faster than the SLC, but
comes with much more stuff than the CPU, monitor and keyboard, for the
same price.
These are the two configurations I was looking at compared at
educational prices:
SUN SPARC SLC
-Base SLC $2995
-12.5 MIPS
-8Meg Mem (16M Max)
-2Serial Ports
-Ethernet
-Monochrome
-SCSI-2
-300 Meg SCSI Disk $1300
-Not SUN's.
-OS on 1/4" tape $200
-Openwindows
-SUN OS 4.1, etc.
-1/4"Tape Drive $350
-Qic 24.
-Serial Port Splitter $50
--------------------------------------
Total: $4895
NeXTStation
-Base NeXTStation $2995
-15 MIPS
-8Meg Mem (32M Max)
-2 serial ports
-Ethernet
-NeXTPrinter Port
-DSP Port
-Monochrome
-105Meg Internal disk
-SCSI-2
-200 Meg SCSI Disk $800
-Extended OS Disks $175
-------------------------------------
Total: $3970
There are a couple of things to note about this. Needless to say,
the NeXT is alot cheaper. However, the SUN configuration does have a
stronger backup ability. Note the SLC has a really goofey serial setup.
Basically, they run 2 ports out of 1 25 pin D-connector. You have to have a
splitter to make it work. ($50) Also, if you are looking stand alone
and you want a printer, terminal and modem (3 serial devices) you
are out of luck on the SLC. The NeXT has the option of using the NeXT
printer (8ppm 300/400 dpi selectable - only $1300 for edu) and that
leaves your other ports free. This was important for me. I will probably
get the NeXT printer early next year.
There are also substantial memory upgrade differences in the
two machines. The SUN can be upgraded to 16M by adding two 4M simms. ($600)
That is the absolute potential of the machine. While the NeXT can be
upgraded to 32M, due to the memory architecture it must be in sets of
4. Since it comes with 8 1meg simms, to go to 20 M would cost
$1200 minus whatever you could get for your spare 1M simms. So while
the potential of the NeXT is higher, getting to a medium level (16-20M)
costs alot more. Still, as OS's and applications get bigger and
bigger one can't help but wonder if the 16M of the SUN is going to
be enough in a couple of years.
As a summation, the NeXT is faster, cheaper and comes with more
good software. You do not have any crazy startup procedure. (Booting SUN
OS off the tape looks to be fun :) or not ....) The windowing, visually,
looks alot better. I like the NeXT. I have heard Suns have a
fairly high hardware failure rate, NeXT's do not. Sun has a history
of changing architecture and leaving the old fairly unsupported. NeXT
does not. (Note the cheap upgrade for old Cube owners.) SUN OS upgrade
is expensive, NeXT's is not. So, in addition to offering the better
value in a machine, they also SEEM to have a better attitude towards
their customers. (Ever try to get a SUN Marketing guy on the phone...?)
Additionally, alot of NeXT's traditional weaknesses will probably
be fixed by their new offerings. Their new offerings are (obviously)
quite agressive and likely to win them market share. As that happens,
it would not be suprising to see a greater variety of software
available for, and ported to, the machines.
If you have any other questions, please ask. I've tried to show both
the pro's and con's of both, but who can tell......
Chris Songer I go to Purdue, I work for Purdue, but I
songer@ecn.purdue.edu certainly don't speak for Purdue.