CompuServe Messages

<Philippe was initially gripping about the 3DO interactive learning machine, and then he got on to the pentium chips. I don't really know anything about the 3DO machines, but I do know something about the pentiums. And one of the things I do know about them is that Intel spent a coupla' billion dollars in research, design and development for both the chip and the cells in which to manufacture it.> I am perfectly aware of that fact, Mr MacRae. But my concern is this one: The gaming community is most obviously getting breakthrough prices for components like RISC processors and RAM. I believe the only reason why WE ain't pulling it off as easily is that companies EXPECT us to be willing to pay such a high price for equipment, because we're supposed to be PROFESSIONALS, NOT KIDS!! We take our work seriously, and invest heavily in it. The 3DO machine has modified components so that you can't rip it apart and sell the pieces on the PC market, where you would reach a 500% profit margin! <Even at $475 a pop it still takes a lot of units and a long time to recoop a billion dollars.> Yes. But how do you explain the fact that game consoles are being built for so little. Is it by IBM's compassion for youthful gaming? ( I don't think soooo) <But let's be generous, all that other stuff only adds $75, so they actually get a return of $100 per chip to pay back the costs of development and manufacturing facilities. Gee…according to my calculator, it will take only 10,000,000 chips to recoop a billion dollars at $100 a pop.> All in all, we shouldn't complain so much. Think about all them Europeans who quietly pay double for all electronic merchandise!! <GG>