Conference hydra::amiga_v1

2379.0. "Amiga v. Apple v. ???" by HQBIC::DCARR (BOSTON: Best Overall Sports TOwN) Mon Mar 20 1989 16:02

    I apologize for not looking through all 15K notes in the thousands
    of topics, but I have some specific requirements that I would like
    some feedback on...  So, in order of importance to me, I need the following:
                                                                    
    
1) File/Document transfer from (PC) to VAX at work and vice-versa (work at  
   home without dialing up)...
2) Integrated spreadsheet/word processing/graphics/database capabilities.
   (AppleWorks, or Hypercard?).   At least as powerful as: 2020 (macros);
   EDT (though I love TPU) for a WP package; 2020 graphics; and a (Relational
   if possible), DB.  (Ideally, I'd like to run 2020 and TPU, e.g. on the PC
   so I don't have to learn new sets of tools.)
3) SPEED...  (I'm not that patient, and am willing to pay for enough memory
   to run new programs....)  TECHNICAL EASE OF USE (electronics)...  (I STILL 
   can't get my VCR to record off the cable box :-), Windows environment
   (I know VAXstations will be the thing to have in the future), though a 
   command interface (also) would be a plus.  Also, I can't deal with 
   MS-DOS so the operating system would have to be easy to learn too...
4) Quality printer (for graphics) Games, and other software....  
   Availability?  Prices?  Quality?  
5) Ability to program my own software (hopefully in Prolog and Cobol, 
   though Pascal or Basic (or Hypercard??) would be ok.)
6) Ideally, it could run IBM-compatible software (so I could 'borrow' all
   the software my old man has :-)  (even though I hate MS-DOS I'd be 
   willing to struggle to copy some of his software)
7) Ideally, it won't cost an arm and a leg.  (My arm goes for about $5K)
                                      
    
Also, if you could tell me: do the public bulletin boards, freeware,
shareware, (i.e. cheap software) have software that runs on Amiga.
    
Finally, I waited this long because I KNOW the 'next generation' computer 
is going to come on the market as soon as I buy mine....  Basically, like 
most people in this conference, I will be working with computers the rest
of my life, and don't really want to end up with an expensive paperweight
when the 3-d, large monitor, high-resolution, ton-a-MIPs workstation costs 
2K and is smaller than a breadbasket...  (Also, as my dream is to someday
get that "great idea" that I can turn into a software company, I would like
to be able to expand what I buy today).

I've looked into renting... no way...   I just don't feel comfortable
with buying used anything....  I also don't like the small keyboards
and smaller monitors that I've seen on the Apples...

So, maybe now you can see why am having a problem - I know of nothing
that satisfies all of the needs.  Does Amiga?

If I won megabucks tomorrow, I'd be a VAXstation, but that's a little out
of my range, which is why I think that the DECstation 200 - 300 series may
be the way to go, but all I know about that product is its name....  If this
note might be better placed in another conference, please let me know...

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks,

Dave Carr
FSBIC::DCARR
DTN 292-2486

    The discontinued vaxmate has WORD PERFECT, Lotus 1-2-3, 20/20 Vaxmate
    released in February.
    
    Find other PCSA supported machines in the clones notefile (362.*)
    
    The Toshiba 1600 and "HYPERPAD" will give you non-gaphics driven
    hypercard-type menus.  The Laptop notesfile has multiple references
    on File/Document transfer.  The AT card ($1300 i heard) is available
    now for the Amiga.
    
    A graphics-station like board from COMPAQ costs $2K.
    
    Maybe a MAGIC-SAC (Atarist) would give you a poor mans terminal
    emulator/MAC.  Hmmm.  Let me focus some more (I'll be back)
    

    I'm back...
    
    On second scan, you're requirements are quite unattainable @ $5k.
    The magic number for cheap do-it-all stations starts around $36k.
    
    The $7k PS/2 machines are slated to drop 30% soon.  Also, the
    laptops are CMOS 286/287 on the best cost range now.  A little
    patience is needed, the new crop of products (like the new LOTUS)
    really needs a 386.
    
    Sooo.... Prioritize your list by function (what you wish to attain)
    
    Also, think about multi-tasking.  It might be the swing feature
    on your choice of an amiga.
    

              "IBM Rolls Up Its Sleeves And Gets Serious about Workstations",
           (Business Week, 3/27/89, PP:116A)

      This spring, IBM plans to bring out improved versions of the RT that
      will run up to four times as fast as current models.  The new RTs
      are expected to be priced low enough to divert buyers from Sun and
      Digital, which are vying for first place in the market.  One big
      question: Will IBM equip its new RTs with NextStep, the software
      licensed for $10 million from Steve Job's workstation company, Next
      Inc.?  NextStep is designed to make it easier to write programs by
      supplying a unique set of software "building blocks" that do much of
      the work for the programmer.  That could set IBM and Next apart from
      the competition. (Reprinted in its Entirety)