Very Computer

Hello

        I would just like to bring in my opinions on the C64/A600 debate,
because I'm brazilian, and the 3rd World markets are the reason driving
ESCOM to the ressurection of these machines.
        I can safely say that, in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and
possibly Venezuela, there would be little, if _NO_ market at all for such
machine, even if the price is around US$100-150. It is a matter of culture.
For instance, here in Brazil people prefer to fork out big bucks for PCs
they barely use, just because it's "hip" to have a PC. Only a very little
percentage of our huge population is actually capable of affording, or even
_WANTING_ a computer, that means, only the reasonably rich people can't buy
computers, and so, these people buy PCs, no matter how expensive they are.
        Of course, there are technically-conscious people here too, people
that look for good specs and a good overall machine when buying a computer.
The Amiga could grab a good part of this market, as the "first computer",
with the A1200. I think that a US$400-$450 A1200/030/4mb would do very well
in Latin America. Another thing: video production here was once ruled by
Amigas. Even the top TV stations where using Amigas, you could watch
Amiga-produced stuff on local TVs all around the country. Now, you see less
and less of it, because people are migrating to powerful P5/3DS combos.
        But most important of all, people around here need _SUPPORT_. The
previous C= representative here, PCI (a Portuguese company) did a
_terrible_ job, with ridiculous prices! How about US$1000 for a base A1200?
Yeah, that was the price... And they offered NO SUPPORT either. If you
needed spare parts, you were in bad luck, as you had to special-order thru
them, and this process usually took ages.
        The bottom line is: Latin America does NOT need special, cut-down
machines. We need regular machines, but with competitive price, and
SUPPORT.
        That's it :)

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Alexandre A. S.    |hum... i need to figure out something for this .sig:)


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 | AmiQWK 2.9 - FREEWARE |
... MODEM: A deterrent to phone solicitors.

Quote:

>Hello

>        I would just like to bring in my opinions on the C64/A600 debate,
>because I'm brazilian, and the 3rd World markets are the reason driving
>ESCOM to the ressurection of these machines.
>        I can safely say that, in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and
>possibly Venezuela, there would be little, if _NO_ market at all for such
>machine, even if the price is around US$100-150. It is a matter of culture.
>For instance, here in Brazil people prefer to fork out big bucks for PCs
>they barely use, just because it's "hip" to have a PC. Only a very little
>percentage of our huge population is actually capable of affording, or even
>_WANTING_ a computer, that means, only the reasonably rich people can't buy

Well the C64 is not meant to compete with PCs. It is a different beast all
together.  Screw all these 'third world' markets.  I know many peope that
will buy them here.  They cannot afford a new computer and they do not want
to buy some crappy mildew covered 286 or 386.

As far as the status thing goes, the c64 in many ways gives an out for that
becuase it is not really competeing in the same market.

Quote:>computers, and so, these people buy PCs, no matter how expensive they are.
>        Of course, there are technically-conscious people here too, people
>that look for good specs and a good overall machine when buying a computer.
>The Amiga could grab a good part of this market, as the "first computer",
>with the A1200.

Spec people are not going to buy a 1200.

 I think that a US$400-$450 A1200/030/4mb would do very well

Yah, that would do well.  

Quote:>        The bottom line is: Latin America does NOT need special, cut-down
>machines. We need regular machines, but with competitive price, and
>SUPPORT.

You are talking about Video production and techical computer people, neither
of which the C64 applies to.  

No Latin America does not need this, the entire world does.  Not necessarily the
C64.  What I mean is that we have to sideways for a while rather than
bigger better faster now......

Blah blah blah......

Quote:>    I can safely say that, in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and
>possibly Venezuela, there would be little, if _NO_ market at all for
such
>machine, even if the price is around US$100-150. It is a matter of

culture.

-- Given the demographics, the BEST of the new markets are likely to be
Brazil and China.  I certaily think that a lot of people focus on the
"it has to be real cheap..." argument, but I tend to think that one
should *buy the best & burn the rest*...  Cheap PCs can be built based
on core C64 and A1200 technology.  Cheap A1200s, C64s, and PCs all
depend on the basic materials cost.... like DRAM, Drives, CD-ROMs, and
ASICs.  These things are faily flat in price across the world, except
where the governments are *bribed* to jack up the prices (like the US).
At one point, Commodore took up a significant proportion of world DRAM
production.  Not true now, and this will matter.  

Given GATT and the WTO, it won't be so hard for the Brazilian consumer
to get good products and support.  At MicroBotics, the customs and
shipping aspects were always a worry.  That is probably not true, or as
true, now.

A1200s... or A1230s could sell quite well, if correctly marketed and
supported.  ESCOM, as a primarily German company, would do well to
remember what we from the US have tried to learn.  The world is a big
place, but there is no place for second best....

Jerry M. Robinson