User`s guide

Computer Wars I did not pick a winning manufacturer; it did pick a winning,
standard platform: the "PC AT or compatible". Just look at unit sales, the
quantity, quality, and range of software releases, peripherals variety, and
newspaper/magazine advertising. The clincher is a pattern of plummeting prices,
increasing performance, and rapid adoption of cutting-edge technology. It all
adds up to the same thing: a 'standard computer'. Today, when you say
"computer", everyone knows you mean "PC".
As of summer 1990, the 'typical PC' is an 8-16MHz '286-based machine with
640K-1MB (zero wait state) RAM, 1.2 MB 5.25" floppy, and 40-60MB hard disk.
Featuring VGA color and Ad Lib sound, the system also includes "enhanced
keyboard", VGA monitor, and cards for serial & parallel I/O, disk controllers,
clock, and joystick ports-- all for about $1400. (33MHz '386 versions sell for
roughly $2000). If current trends persist, by late fall prices will have dropped
10-15%.
Where does this leave II users? As of this spring, IIgs users sat atop a
large, divers software base. As of summer, very little has been added. While you
can reasonably expect continued releases in such areas as utilities, languages,
and education, the outlook for productivity wares is rather poor. As for major
vendor entertainment releases, don't ask! Just take last summer's predictions
and slap on a "You are Here" sticker.
Though loyal, literally, to a fault, II users are not likely to long
tolerate a situation which not only saddles them with sub-par performance, but
also shuts them out of the major vendor software stream. Mainly, you 'won't take
it any more' because you don't have to. Look at the economics: As a IIgs owner
you are probably looking forward to a speed/graphics upgrade and the addition of
a 40-60MB hard disk. Well, at normal Apple stuff prices (and assuming a graphics
upgrade becomes available) your plan
ned outlay comes painfully close to the total cost of the "typical PC AT"! This
much seems clear, by next summer many (perhaps most) II owners will also be PC
users.
Doom? Gloom? The 'end of forever'? Not at all. In fact, the gruds may have
delivered what Apple only promised: practically unlimited II continuance. One of
the ironies of the present situation is that the very forces which make taking
the PC plunge so appealing (e.g. low prices) also make dumping your IIgs stuff
unattractive. Even as the junior partner in a two-machine installation, your
IIgs is worth vastly more to you than it is likely to sell for. (Besides, all of
your records are in Appleworks fil
es; little Suzy just started "Dungeon Master", etc., etc..) So long as II's
remain in the hands of skilled users there will be no lack of interest in
performance enhancements, peripherals, and new software.
The gruds may be dancing in the streets, but the biggest winner in Computer
Wars I is the computer user. Proprietary fiefdoms and semi-monopolistic pricing
are being swept away; and, for the first time, we can look forward to a unified
software base spanning home, school, and business users. Granted, this was a
conflict that ended, not with the clash of cymbals, but the toot of a kazoo. The
big name manufacturers, assorted publications, and many others will, naturally,
try to pretend that it's 'busine
ss as usual'. It isn't. Computer Wars I is history. Computer Wars II is a whole
new ball game!
ISSUE 75/ One More Time?!