Workstation pricing, Sun vs. ISA

[Jay Plett]

In article <1989Sep1.014205.12901 at algor2.algorists.com>, jeffrey at algor2.algorists.com (Jeffrey Kegler) writes:
> In article <836 at pitstop.West.Sun.COM> lwake at sun.com (Larry Wake) writes:
> 
> >Even in your comparision, which by your admission chose a slightly
> >more expensive Sun with no effort to mitigate the price, against a
> >system that I would imagine took a bit of shopping around to assemble
> >(by either you or the integrator who is packaging it), the difference
> >is not tremendous.
> 
> "My admission"?  Am I on trial because I look at prices?  This is what
> it is like on the street.  My clients sure shop around and when I

But if you're going to shop (a/k/a mitigate), don't stop till you've
done both sides of the street.

The 327MB disk in a 386i is a CDC Wren IV, no more, no less.  I haven't
priced a Wren IV this month, but the 2300 you paid for your V sounds
like a reasonable number.  So, let's cut the disk out of Sun's deal and
go shopping:
	RR150M-8			$ 10,490
	Wren IV				   2,300
	Total				$ 12,790

For the add-ons you mentioned at the bottom of your original article,
don't forget that the same boards can be plugged into the 386i's
XT/AT bus.  As to the added disk, most any SCSI ought to do.  You can
get a 700MB Wren V in a shoebox with power supply for $3000 or less.

Your needs are probably different from mine.  That's fine.  From my
viewpoint, the Sun's value looks compelling.  If you don't have a
good reason for needing an 80386, then run your comparison with a
SPARCstation on the Sun side.  It'll look better.

> whine about it, they just laugh.  Welcome to the NFL.  Don't forget
> your helmet.
OK.

	Jay Plett
	jay at princeton.edu