imsal 2

Back in the '70's, and maybe into the early '80's, the rule of thumb was to multiply manufacturing cost by 4 to estimate the minimum retail price of a piece of electronic gear. I don't know how to estimate the cost of the components any better than has already been done here, but I would imagine that Todd Fischer is collecting orders as a means of estimating the potential for his product along with paying for tooling and other non-recurring costs. I'm relieved that his product is, as yet, vaporware, because I personally don't see the benefit in having a 22-slot mainframe with a power supply of the sort describe on the IMSAI web site, just as I'm having trouble with the notion that people would pay $1k for a box with a front panel and little else. Based on the notion that SOME people will, I don't see his price as excessive for what it might be. I do have the sense that the WHAT is still TBD. There's no shortage of S-100 mainframes from what I've seen. I see three or four every year for about $25, which nearly compensates the consignee for the space they take up. I have about six which I 'd happily give up. That would still leave me plenty. The original notion I remember seeing was to have the IMSAI "look" wedded to a current generation Pentium class processor. I don't see a niche for that, however. All we can do is wait and hope Todd Fischer comes to what more of would consider to be his senses and reshapes his intended product. It is HIS, though . . . Dick -----Original Message----- From: CLASSICCMP(a)trailing-edge.com <CLASSICCMP(a)trailing-edge.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Thursday, August 19, 1999 11:24 AM Subject: Re: imsal 2 a to