Forum unknown
· Help/Announcements
#Atari ST/Amiga survey
5 messages in this thread
Thanks for the comments, Mike. It is true that computers that are seen as
being in direct competition by their users can produce fierce battles between
the users, and the ST and Amiga are no exception. The key element here is
the PERCEPTION of the users. I see a lot of Amiga users saying that the ST
is not competition for the Amiga, and a lot of ST users saying the opposite.
This is also reflected in the ads by both companies, which irritated the ST
users because they felt the ST should have been listed in the comparison
charts! Both computers are 68000-based and graphics-oriented, ergo leaving
the ST out of the comparisons was a "cheap shot". This resulted in a rather
poor atmosphere between Atari and Amiga owners trying to play the "my
computer is better than your computer" game. Seeing my ST artwork show up in
Amiga store demos with my signature removed and the store clerk claiming it
was done on the Amiga has not endeared me to the Amiga either. There are a
lot of bruised feelings on both sides, and the sooner everyone gets their act
together and gets down to work, leaving the petty arguments behind, the
better things will be for both machines.
I also want to point out that my original request for responses was NOT a "my
computer is better than your computer"-type thing but an opinion poll to get
a feeling for the varied marketing and support strategies.
Unfortunately Tom, with the attitude of the people who take potshots at the
Amiga, and their seeming total belief that the Amiga is just an ST with
perhaps better graphics and sound, it becomes very difficult indeed to say
anything about the two computers (and the respective companies) without
getting a little rabid. The last sales pitch I got for the ST was more of an
unsell of the Amiga, with ammunition apparently pulled out of thin air and
with no basis in fact. That's basically why I chose not to answer your
questions.
Unfortunately Tom, with the attitude of the people who take potshots at the
Amiga, and their seeming total belief that the Amiga is just an ST with
perhaps better graphics and sound, it becomes very difficult indeed to say
anything about the two computers (and the respective companies) without
getting a little rabid. The last sales pitch I got for the ST was more of an
unsell of the Amiga, with ammunition apparently pulled out of thin air and
with no basis in fact. That's basically why I chose not to answer your
questions.
First let me compliment you on your fine work for the Atari ST. I sell both
the Atari and Amiga lines, and have found your DEGAS and CAD-3D packages to
be very nicely written. I have some views on the Amiga/ST struggle which you
may be interested in. Please read my message #25241 on the subject. I have
had some disgruntled folks on both sides of the situation, but I sort of view
the two machines in the same perspective as the Commodore 64 versus Apple II
in the 8-bit market. People who seem to be more concerned about image and
less about price have chosen Apple for home use (lets ignore for now the
obvious applications software advantage of the Apple since many Apples are
used merely for games as are the 64's). Those same type of people seem to
buy Amigas based on what appears to be a more professionally built machine
(whether it is or not is a matter of opinion, but the machine has a
substantially more expensive look and feel to it – and the price tag to go
with that feel). The Commodore 64 type owner seems to be concerned more with
price/performance. In other words, how much can I do for a set amount of
money. These people also perceive the Atari ST as the better machine due to
its lower price (while retaining great power), and its somewhat of a head
start in software development. Like the 64, the ST seems to be the next
major MASS MARKET machine. They may soon sell at KMart the way the 64 sold a
short time ago. The Amiga will still have its followers, but I do think they
will always be a bit more selective, and a smaller group. I'd be interested
to hear your input. Thanks for listening, see ya…
First let me compliment you on your fine work for the Atari ST. I sell both
the Atari and Amiga lines, and have found your DEGAS and CAD-3D packages to
be very nicely written. I have some views on the Amiga/ST struggle which you
may be interested in. Please read my message #25241 on the subject. I have
had some disgruntled folks on both sides of the situation, but I sort of view
the two machines in the same perspective as the Commodore 64 versus Apple II
in the 8-bit market. People who seem to be more concerned about image and
less about price have chosen Apple for home use (lets ignore for now the
obvious applications software advantage of the Apple since many Apples are
used merely for games as are the 64's). Those same type of people seem to
buy Amigas based on what appears to be a more professionally built machine
(whether it is or not is a matter of opinion, but the machine has a
substantially more expensive look and feel to it – and the price tag to go
with that feel). The Commodore 64 type owner seems to be concerned more with
price/performance. In other words, how much can I do for a set amount of
money. These people also perceive the Atari ST as the better machine due to
its lower price (while retaining great power), and its somewhat of a head
start in software development. Like the 64, the ST seems to be the next
major MASS MARKET machine. They may soon sell at KMart the way the 64 sold a
short time ago. The Amiga will still have its followers, but I do think they
will always be a bit more selective, and a smaller group. I'd be interested
to hear your input. Thanks for listening, see ya…