Jobs cuts price, adds hard-disk drive in effort to spur Next computer sales

Article Abstract:

Next Inc will take a step back in technology in order to take a step forward in sales when it adds a hard disk drive to supplement the workstation's optical storage device. The Next workstation will also be $1,500 less, a price cut of 23 percent. The company's changes were prompted by requests from customers who did not like the optical device, which is much slower than a hard disk drive. Optical disk storage devices, which are not offered as standard equipment on any other workstation, are capable of handling large amounts of data and make it easier to edit film clips or audio recordings with a computer. Next's customer base consists primarily of colleges and universities, which have purchased the system on an evaluative basis. The institutions believe that Next's prices must go even lower than the present $3,500 per machine if the company is going to capture the lucrative student market.

Product enhancement, Price cutting, Enhancements, Microcomputer workstations

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Next scores big with campuses on second try

Article Abstract:

When Steven Jobs' company, NeXT Inc, produced its first microcomputers, the machines were expensive, costing $6,500, and NeXT's products lacked power and software applications. Now, however, NeXT's products contain state-of-the-art hardware and impressive software, and the computer maker is targeting college campuses with machines priced as low as $3,000. So far, there is not much enthusiasm over NeXT microcomputers in the corporate market, and long-term success for the company depends on doing better in that arena. Nevertheless, Jobs indicates that one-half of the 4,000 new models shipped recently have gone to business. Vicki Brown, an analyst at International Data Corp, expects NeXT to sell between 36,000 and 44,000 units in 1991. Industry opinion is shifting in favor of Steven Jobs, and some observers now think he can make good on his promise to set a standard for academic computing.

Microcomputers, Equipment and supplies, Universities and colleges, column, Entrepreneur, Microcomputer, Computer Industry

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Slow start for Next doesn't worry Jobs

Article Abstract:

Next Inc founder Steven Jobs is not worried by the slow sales and lack of applications available for the Next workstation, saying that 'truly revolutionary' add-ons and applications are coming. The applications are needed to help boost sales of the highly acclaimed computer that is currently selling only 500 to 600 units a month. Next is not compatible with any of the existing software available for IBM or Apple Macintosh systems, so it must rely on developers to create usable applications. Microsoft Corp states that it has no intention of supporting the Next, and analysts say there is little evidence of support among smaller developers. Nevertheless, Jobs claims half a dozen applications should be available by summer and that IBM will license Next's user interface for a new line of microcomputers.

Market share

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