🚀 go-pugleaf

Excerpts from article by Ken Siegmann, Times Tribune Staff:

Atari Corp. Chairman Jack Tramiel is trying a strategy that infuriated
computer retailers once before.  Atari will on Jan. 15 roll out a cheaper
version of its 520ST computer...The new 520ST will be distributed through
mass merchandisers, such as K Mart and through regional discounters, said
Atari Executive Vice President Michael Katz.
	While chair of Commodore International Ltd. in the early 1980's,
Tramiel won infamy among specialty computer dealers when he sold the
C64 through mass merchandisers at a price less than it had cost dealers.
	The new 520ST is one of two new machines Atari plans to ship this
month.  The other more sophisticated machine -- called 1040ST -- will go
exclusively through computer specialty stores, Katz said.  He thinks it
should keep them happy because it will keep them "on the cutting edge of
Aatari's technology."
	The new 520ST will be similar to the original machine, but will
sell without a monitor for less than $300, Katz said.  The original model
sells for $799.  Unlike the first machine, users will be able to connect
the new 520ST to their televisions.
	The 1040ST will have twice the internal memory of the 520ST.  It
will store up to 1 million characters of information, or 500 typewritten
pages.  With a b/w monitor, Atari has priced the machine at $999.  With
a color monitor the 1040ST will sell for about $1200.


The article quoted several analysts as saying the dealers are gonna be
upset.  I guess the 1040ST will be out in time for people to do their
taxes on it (sorry  :-) )!