From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!mhuxj!mhuxi!aluxz!fhl
Newsgroups: net.micro
Title: TI 99/4a remarks and questions
Article-I.D.: aluxz.1106
Posted: Tue Feb 15 12:53:29 1983
Received: Fri Feb 18 04:03:57 1983


	I recently attended Communications Networks '83 in New
Orleans and was suprised to learn that the TI 99/4a was selling
at the rate of 200,000 units/month.  The unit orginally was priced
around $1200. and is now selling at discount houses in the area
for $147.  The speaker claimed that the price of the CPU was 
simply a qualifier and that TI made money on the purchase of
games and peripherials. (speaker - Fred Kinney)

	Several things about this claim really made me think.
(Assuming that his information was correct)  First and foremost
is that there are/will be more TI 99/4a computers than any
other (excluding the ZX81) and yet no machine is less supported
by hackers and magazines.  A check of our library (Byte, Popular
COmputing, Compute!, and at least 5 other magazines) revealed
only 1 article in the last 3 months that even metioned this
machine.

	Now for the questions.  Does anyone Know or remember
any review articles on the TI 99/4a?  My search has revealed
that the machine has undergone substantial evolution in the
last 2 years.  For example, It has a 16 bit processor but early
models only used 4 bits of this power (bit slice architecture?)
later models have a refined graphics chip as well?  The basic
is reputed to be very slow...though they have PASCAL and LOGO
as well?  CDC's plato is supported.  An assembler is available.

	My impression is that TI may have the model A of 
personal computers on their hands and every basement shop and 
major magazine is not cognizant of this machine's potential.
200,000 units per month sales is so incredibly large ... isn't
Apple's installed base less than 500,000 units total?

	Sorry to drone on so long ... if there is substantial 
response I will be happy to summarize to the net.

				Frank Levinson
				BTL Allentown
				aluxz!fhl