I remember back in High School my science teacher (also in charge of the Computer Lab) asked my opinion about what the school should by with next years computer budget.
I suggested that they either go for quality or quantity.
On the quality side I recommended the new IBM PC since it was obviously going to set a new standard and the machines were rock solid and reliable, plus they had all of the software and languages the school needed.
On the quantity side I suggested machines like the Atari 800. Good, established, well built machines that could be easily replaced if broken and that had everything needed to work in the department.
If I remember correctly the budget would have allowed for 4 PCs or about a dozen Ataris depending on configurations.
I came back the next fall and they had purchased 3 Victor 9000s.
The machines were nearly useless because they didn't read or write disks that anyone else could use. The software was limited and what was available was more expensive then other machines.
Their reliablity was questionable at best and, in the end, they basically sat doing nothing until the next years appropriation allowed the department to correct its mistake.
Erik
I suggested that they either go for quality or quantity.
On the quality side I recommended the new IBM PC since it was obviously going to set a new standard and the machines were rock solid and reliable, plus they had all of the software and languages the school needed.
On the quantity side I suggested machines like the Atari 800. Good, established, well built machines that could be easily replaced if broken and that had everything needed to work in the department.
If I remember correctly the budget would have allowed for 4 PCs or about a dozen Ataris depending on configurations.
I came back the next fall and they had purchased 3 Victor 9000s.
The machines were nearly useless because they didn't read or write disks that anyone else could use. The software was limited and what was available was more expensive then other machines.
Their reliablity was questionable at best and, in the end, they basically sat doing nothing until the next years appropriation allowed the department to correct its mistake.
Erik