Chapter 246: Battle in the PC Market

Seeing the strange expression on Tang Huan's face, Alan Shugart immediately understood that he was a little surprised by the price, and quickly made up for it: "ST-506 has only come out not long ago, and as the technology matures and optimizes, the cost will definitely come down. And it is not impossible to seek a compromise trading plan now."

This is the look of sincerity, Tang Huan nodded secretly, but he knew that the other party did not have many choices at present, customers who trust st-506 and are willing to use this product are really gods, and the reason can be attributed to the blue Giant's competitive pressure.

It is no exaggeration to say that without ibm, there would be no hard disk.

As early as 1956, the first hard disk storage came out, which used 50 platters with a diameter of 24 inches. The capacity is 5mb, about the size of two refrigerators, which can be described as very simple.

But this is not a problem. The key point is that it marks the advent of the era of random access. The input and output of computers are no longer limited to punches and paper tapes of sequential access. This is a technological progress from 0 to 1. , is extremely significant.

By the 1960s, floppy disk memory was also born at ibm.

In 1973, the ibm3340 with the nickname "Winchester" came out, and the basic structure of the hard disk was established accordingly.

Alan Shugart is a person who witnessed this process, and it can be said that he has profound qualifications, but now he has come out to start a company to produce hard drives, and has no intention of competing with IBM. Naturally, I dare not sit back and relax.

The year 1983 in the original time and space. The ibm-with hard disk is available. Seagate was selected as an OEM supplier, and this has entered the fast lane of development.

Before that, Tang Huan could naturally pretend to be an angel, giving charcoal in a timely manner on the surface, and exploiting loopholes secretly.

As for the 2,000-dollar price tag from Don Estridge just now, Tang Huan dismissed it. He first presented the product and then talked about how to compete, playing this kind of game to influence the customer's psychology. Instead, he fell behind.

In the era of mainframes, before IBM successfully developed the system/360, it used this kind of smoke bomb trick to make competitors miserable, which led to antitrust lawsuits.

But don't forget that in the era of mainframes, the range of customers who could afford computers was limited, but now that we have entered the era of microcomputers, there are various user groups, and the rules of the game in the market have changed. You still play this trick, isn't it ridiculous. What's more, will someone Tang sit and wait for death?

...

The fact is the same, the reaction on dex,

Don Estridge was slapped heavily. The basic model of the second-generation Fangyuan computer started at $4,000, but it didn't stop the enthusiasm of the visitors. Orders fell in front of Zheru marketing personnel like a snowflake.

Seeing this situation, Jobs left in a hurry, and he wanted to supervise the progress of the project team.

Gates also did not linger. Since the second-generation Fangyuan computer will appear on the market first, there is no reason not to speed up the progress of software development on this platform.

You know, three days after the ibm prototype was delivered to Seattle, Zheru also provided the prototype.

Now there is a consensus within Microsoft that, compared to the second-generation Fangyuan computer, IBM's Chess Project works, except for the cost advantage, are scumbags in other aspects.

Although Gates agrees with this point of view and supports the active development of software on the second-generation Fangyuan computer platform, he does not want to see his subordinates completely ignore IBM. After all, his dream of an operating system can be realized there, which is really entangled.

Don Estridge didn't care that his face was swollen. He observed carefully in front of Zheru's booth, trying to find out why the second-generation Fangyuan computer was so popular.

In fact, Don Estridge is very complicated. In the original time and space, due to the great success of ibm-, he was called "the father of personal computer".

Before Jobs poached Sculley from Coca-Cola, he was fond of Don Estridge. It's a pity that Don Estridge didn't like Apple and refused.

If it weren't for the air crash and Don Estridge's untimely death, it would be hard to say what the final situation of the personal computer industry would be.

Through the experience of the scene, Don Estridge finally found out the reason why the second-generation Fangyuan computer was so popular. Zheru's software support for it was too comprehensive and powerful.

During the on-site demonstration, some people simply saw that the spreadsheet software running on the second-generation Fangyuan computer could handle larger spreadsheets, and the data calculation speed was still quite fast, so they impatiently placed orders.

Zheru's word processing software is also very attractive. When the printer outputs the content on the screen and let the audience experience the powerful typesetting function of what you see is what you get, some people holding paper in their hands are so admirable that they say "I didn't expect that even the printer's voice is so beautiful."

What a state of insanity this is, Don Estridge couldn't help but draw a black line across his forehead.

As for Zheru's database ebase and various information management systems, there are a lot of onlookers missing, but one can guess that these people belong to professionals by looking at their clothes and manners.

Through the patient guidance of the service staff, they were able to go through the entire business process in a smooth and smooth manner, from document entry to flow generation to report printing on the erp system provided by the second-generation Fangyuan computer.

From the frequent nodding, it can be seen that another order has been delivered to the door.

In addition to these three major commercial software, the second-generation Fangyuan computer also provides many interesting applications, such as "Tetris" and other small games transplanted from the electronic game console platform.

Don Estridge even saw a person in front of the second-generation Fangyuan computer output music by tapping on the keyboard, achieving an effect similar to that of an electronic organ.

After being deeply shocked, Don Estridge finally figured out what kind of psychology people are based on when they favor the second-generation Fangyuan computer.

Computer makers are always bragging about their products. How to perform great. Powerful. But the world's mysterious impression of computers has long been ingrained, even including high-quality groups such as university professors.

The example of a calculator is a good illustration of this phenomenon. Its functions are included in the computer, and the price in the early days was not cheap. The users are also professionals, but people are still willing to choose the calculator, a product with a single function that only calculates values, because of the fear of facing the computer. mischief.

No matter how sensational the commercials for personal computers are. But people are still confused about its function, and the second-generation Fangyuan computer is different. Through the software system applicable to different fields, users can understand the value of this product, and it is easy to operate and has no traditional meaning. The mystery and difficulty of life.

It turns out that software is the biggest driver of PC consumption, Don Estridge murmured.

Ding ding, ding ding ding...

Philosopher's unique voice. Pull Don Estridge out of contemplation and back to reality.

He walked past the eye-catching Zheru and Fangyuan signs, and came to the EA booth next to him.

Compared with the solemnity next to it. The atmosphere here is even hotter, it's like a casino, a lot of people are waiting in line to try out the latest games.

"Sir, EA has specially arranged a stage performance. You might as well go and enjoy it when the time comes. Michael Jackson will appear." A playful chick wearing a ribbon put a promotional advertisement in Don Estridge's hand , This made him smile wryly, he is already in his forties, so it’s okay to say this.

Don Estridge doesn't know much about video games, but he can tell that the popularity of EA products is not as popular as that of Fangyuan Computer, which belongs to the same boss.

Don Estridge noticed that there was a portable game console with the slogan "One person, one world", which was so popular on the spot that the service staff was so busy that they were sweating profusely.

Out of curiosity, he bought this product called Xiaobawang Zhangzhongbao for less than 100 US dollars, as well as limited edition products such as posters attached. It is estimated that these so-called gifts are also wool from sheep, so although he is not interested , but it was also accepted.

Xiaobawang Palm uses dry batteries as the power source. It has a black and white screen and contains a game of "Tetris".

Don? Estridge found helplessly that this little overlord is very interesting, and it is very good to change his mind, or to pass the leisure time such as waiting for the bus.

These thriving companies belong to the same boss, and if they support each other, they will definitely be handy. However, my own chess plan is just an insignificant department in IBM. Before the management committee realizes its true value, the resource support it can get , may not be more than the other party.

Thinking of this, Don Estlich couldn't help but feel awe-inspiring. In the next confrontation, he might not have the advantage, not to mention that the opponent has already preemptively struck.

...

Tang Huan looked at the statistical data in the office area behind the platform, not only scratching his head.

Game consoles are indeed very popular, and the group of people under them even plan arrogantly, trying to get every dex participant to buy a Xiaobawang Palm Treasure, which is too arrogant.

Regarding this, Tang Huan didn't bother to comment, but the popularity of the second-generation Fangyuan computer made him a little embarrassed.

Even decades later in the original time and space, when Microsoft or Intel releases new products, it does not necessarily mean that they will enter the retail market immediately, and they are often sent to enterprise users first.

Tang Huan also adopted this model in order to wait for the production process and even the operation of the entire supply chain to be further mature in this time gap. Christmas will be improved", but individual users are still willing to pay the advance payment on the spot and wait.

Could it be that the $4,000 threshold can't stop your impulse to buy? Tang Huan couldn't help shaking his head.

However, if you think about this price range carefully, it seems to be reasonable. The products that ibm salespeople are interested in are basically priced at more than 20,000 US dollars, and the various minicomputers of HP have not put down their dignity. , the research results of the marketing department are quite credible.

Tang Huan walked to the front of the booth while thinking. Just in time, I saw Don Estridge, who was playing with Xiaobawang's palm treasure in his hand. Turning around to leave the back.

For this "father of personal computers" in the original time and space. Because of his untimely death, there are not many deeds left behind. Tang Huan inevitably became interested in talking face-to-face after meeting real people at close range.

As for the challenge issued by the other party not long ago, the boss himself is qualified to laugh it off.

"Estridge, since you are here, why don't you sit down and have a chat." Tang Huan greeted.

"It's you." Seeing that it was Tang Huan, Don Estrich saw that his face, which was used to being full of smiles, was a little more wrinkled. up your business."

It is undeniable that Don Estridge is quite charismatic. He was designated as the successor by Bill Lovo who left the Chess Project team because of his high promotion. . Follow your own command, there are no two brushes. How?

And Don Estridge is more contradictory. He is loyal to IBM, but he hates IBM's bureaucratic system extremely, but in the end he can only be caught in it and cannot escape. It is really intriguing.

"Thanks for your patronage, if you can buy a second-generation Fangyuan computer, I will be even more grateful." Tang Huan laughed.

"Don't you think I didn't notice that your sales staff have been trying their best not to allow individuals to get the second-generation Fangyuan computer first. The implication is self-evident." Don Estridge said frankly what he thought in his heart , "If you agree, I would like a second-generation Fangyuan computer right now, and then I would take it home and disassemble it for careful study."

"Estridge, you are so direct that I am speechless." Tang Huan shook his head with a smile, and extended the invitation, "Let's go to the working area at the back and chat while drinking coffee."

Don Estridge's behavior is a bit similar to that of Jobs, he acted rashly, without so many worries, and agreed immediately.

After they sat down and made coffee, Tang Huan stared at Don Estridge and said calmly, "The personal computer worth $2,000 you promised is murderous."

"Don't you claim to be the first person in the third-generation personal computer? Naturally, you have to be prepared for the challenge." Don Estridge took out the instruction manual of Xiaobawang Zhangzhongbao calmly, and read it at a glance. stand up.

"That's what you're talking about." Tang Huan nodded, "$2,000 is also the price range I want. Unfortunately, I can't reach it yet, but it's not too far away."

"I guess at that time, IBM's personal computers had already occupied half of the market." Don Estridge replied casually.

"You are very optimistic about your product." Tang Huan showed an intriguing look on his face, "But the question is, is your hardware free of obvious defects? Is the supporting software ready?"

"You don't have to try to get information from me." Don Estridge shook his head contemptuously. "Whether you're ready or not, you'll know at the beginning of next year."

"You're obviously talking big." Tang Huan chuckled, "I bet that by the end of the first quarter of next year, you can see IBM computers on the market, and the progress is already very good, because your software is outsourced to other companies. , although it can reduce costs, it may not be able to improve efficiency, because they are not in your control."

Don Estridge snorted and picked up the coffee to taste carefully. In fact, he was trying to hide his surprise. How could this young man calculate the progress of the chess plan so accurately? At the end of the first quarter of next year, it is the delivery time of the entire system that I have formulated.

However, Tang Huan's words also reminded himself that the significance of software to personal computers has been realized just now, so strengthening the control of this peripheral company is also the meaning of the question.

Seeing that Don Estridge was silent, Tang Huan was secretly amused.

Because of its own influence, Apple went public three months ahead of schedule, so IBM's chess plan was completed three to six months ahead of schedule, which is also reasonable.

What's more, Microsoft just took away the prototype of the second-generation Fangyuan computer from itself, as well as the more important system programming interface specification.

The deep meaning of this incident is that the prototype of IBM was handed over to Microsoft, which itself is a link.

What Don Estridge didn't know was that the one Gates bought with great effort was a complete scam, with at least hundreds of bugs in it, coupled with the imperfect cooperation of the ibm prototype, all kinds of Strange problems emerged one after another. In the original time and space, they tortured both parties unspeakably, but they were already bound to each other's chariots. Especially the chess planning team, there was no time to repent, so they could only hold their noses and confess. Now, I have to teach Microsoft's project management field army how to become a regular army for free.

Tang Huan leisurely picked up the coffee and shook it, "Whether it is or not, we will inevitably have a big battle in the personal computer market, so we should pay our respects to our opponents in advance."

"No matter how much you say, it won't disturb the morale of our army." Don Estrich picked up the cup and bumped it heavily against Tang Huan's cup to show his determination to fight, and at the same time retorted, "You enter How do you feel about entering the personal computer market and not knowing your close partner Apple?"

"Aren't you going to launch a personal computer under $2,000? Apple is naturally thinking about how to fight back. We will also adjust the basic price of $4,000 to make it close." Tang Huan had a smirk on his face. , patiently explained.

Upon hearing this, Don Estridge couldn't sit still any longer, said angrily, "Let's wait and see," and got up to leave. (To be continued..)

...

... ()