Doren; That is true, a naked Apple has SCSI(standard SCSI) and network already built in. To add that to an IBM costs from $35 to 75 for network cards and from $40 to $200 (SCSI FAST/WIDE) so there is an integral advantage(and concommittant limitation). Of course if you want different video, and SCSI and network, you pay doubly.
At the board level addition of the functions costs a lot less, and the basic SCSI and network can be added for $15 plus some real estate.
Thus taking them out saves Apple little, but allows them to point to the higher costs with Wintel. A strategic move to get more $ for the systems. You can now get WIntel motherboards with fast wide SCSI II built in. All net functions are still card based, as there are so many netways that people want to choose.
One problem Apple had was it forced all into Apples netway, and when the big Wintel networks got going they left Apple out because you could not plug in a card. I know the problem has been solved, but there was a cost to Apple for their insularity. So having a dedicated motherboard with SCSI and Appletalk, is not a complete advantage.
Many people of all stripes buy computers and never use them. A fridn of mine bought a Apple to access the internet, but does not stir himself to use it at all, not even games. He is rich and retired and buys many toys he never uses in the same manner. No other friend of mine have unused computers, as we are all techies.
I think that Apple played the proprietary card, abd charged extra, and was asleep at the switch as the Wintels took the lower priced ground. A criminal marketing error (inherited from Jobs days??) Why did Scully kick Jobs out??
Bill
Bill |
