Here is the release video:
Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
71–80 of 186 posts
Re: Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am really curious about how anyone could afford computers at these prices in the 1980s. I guess my family was really poor then. We had a C64 and later an Amiga.
They didn't unless they were well off. Only 8% of houses had a computer in 1984. 15% by the end of the decade. C64 was $595 new, if you had one I doubt your family was poor.
I'm surprised only 8%. My memory of growing up in the UK in the early 80's was that ZX81'S and ZX Spectrums were super common. I bought my ZX81 in 1982 for £50 new which looks like it was maybe $80.
Re: Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
They didn't unless they were well off. Only 8% of houses had a computer in 1984. 15% by the end of the decade. C64 was $595 new, if you had one I doubt your family was poor.
It would have been closer to $200 around the time we got it!
I'm not even sure you can get a working real C64 for $200 now.
Re: Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
#74This makes the new Mac Pro look like a bargain... especially after you adjust for inflation.
I think the difference is between productivity gain. In these early days, you bought a computer or you had to use a calculator and paper. It's the difference between automating a dentist or realtors office or not doing automation.
Now, buying a new computer results in marginal productivity gains because likely it's just replacing another computer and maybe improving things or maybe just adding a touch-bar.
Re: Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
#75My favorite part: Instead of typing a sequence of commands on the computer keyboard; the user merely points to tiny "icons" or commands on the screen by sliding the "mouse" (a plastic control box the size of a cigarette pack) on the desktop beside the computer. As the mouse rolls, an arrow called a cursor moves across the screen. To erase obsolete information, for example, the user moves the mouse to point first at w…
The mouse has a useful feature, in that it can be used while connected to an external power source.
Re: Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
#76Earlier quoted context omitted.
Bill Machrone, long-time editor of PC Magazine, coined a "law" that the computer you wanted always cost $5,000. Which held reasonably true for a rather long time. It broke down maybe about 10 years ago although, as with the latest Mac, you can still get to $5K without too many gymnastics for pro video work or high end gaming.
Huh, pretty good. I'd say it's now $3,750 for the whole setup. $3,000 for the tower/laptop plus docking station [1] [2], $650 for dual monitors [3] [4], and $100 for peripherals [5] [6] [7]. And that's with Amazon + non-Mac. [1] https://www.amazon.com/ThinkPad-20ER002KUS-Windows-Professio... [2] https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkPad-Docking-40AJ0135US-Ge... [3] https://www.amazon.com/Dell-27-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor-S27…
Is it really the computer you want if you can't run the software you want on it?
Re: Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
#77This makes the new Mac Pro look like a bargain... especially after you adjust for inflation.
coincidentally I just looked these up the other day: Apple Lisa 1983 $9,995 ($25,143 in 2018 dollars) Apple Macintosh 128k 1/24/84 $2,495 ($6,000 in 2018 dollars) Macintosh II 3/2/87 $5,498 ($12,125 in 2018) Next Cube 9/18/90 $10,000 ($19,177 in 2018 dollars)
I bought a 25 MHz NeXTstation in 1990 for the low, low price of $3,995. $7,500 in 2018 dollars.
In hindsight I should have bought Apple stock. Oh well.
Re: Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
#78Earlier quoted context omitted.
Huh, pretty good. I'd say it's now $3,750 for the whole setup. $3,000 for the tower/laptop plus docking station [1] [2], $650 for dual monitors [3] [4], and $100 for peripherals [5] [6] [7]. And that's with Amazon + non-Mac. [1] https://www.amazon.com/ThinkPad-20ER002KUS-Windows-Professio... [2] https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkPad-Docking-40AJ0135US-Ge... [3] https://www.amazon.com/Dell-27-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor-S27…
Is it really the computer you want if you can't run the software you want on it?
Given the various gaming peripherals the parent lists, I'm guessing that they may prefer a Windows system.
Re: Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
coincidentally I just looked these up the other day: Apple Lisa 1983 $9,995 ($25,143 in 2018 dollars) Apple Macintosh 128k 1/24/84 $2,495 ($6,000 in 2018 dollars) Macintosh II 3/2/87 $5,498 ($12,125 in 2018) Next Cube 9/18/90 $10,000 ($19,177 in 2018 dollars)
I bought a 25 MHz NeXTstation in 1990 for the low, low price of $3,995. $7,500 in 2018 dollars. In hindsight I should have bought Apple stock. Oh well.
Had to look it up. Would be worth ~$0.5M today
Re: Apple Reveals ‘Lisa’, Its $50M Gamble (1983)
#80My favorite part: Instead of typing a sequence of commands on the computer keyboard; the user merely points to tiny "icons" or commands on the screen by sliding the "mouse" (a plastic control box the size of a cigarette pack) on the desktop beside the computer. As the mouse rolls, an arrow called a cursor moves across the screen. To erase obsolete information, for example, the user moves the mouse to point first at w…
And just a few years later in 1986, the "Scotty uses a Mac" scene from Star Trek IV: https://youtu.be/LkqiDu1BQXY?t=64