Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 240: Battle in the Personal Computer Market
In 1983 in the original time and space, the IBM-PC XT equipped with a hard disk came out, and Seagate was selected as an OEM supplier, and only then did it enter 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 2000-dollar price tag from Don Estridge just now, Tang Huan dismissed it. He put the product on display first and then talked about how to compete. Playing this kind of game that affects the customer's psychology, he fell behind.

In the mainframe era, before IBM successfully developed the System/360, it used this kind of smoke bomb trick to make competitors miserable, which triggered an antitrust lawsuit.

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. Isn’t it ridiculous that you still play this game? What's more, will someone Tang sit and wait for death?
……

The fact is also the same. The reaction on COMDEX slapped Don Estrich heavily. The basic model of the second-generation Fangyuan computer started at $4000, but it did not stop the enthusiasm of the visitors. Orders fell like snowflakes. In front of Zhe Confucian market personnel.

Seeing this situation, Jobs left in a hurry, and he wanted to continue to increase the resources of the MAC 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 two types of prototypes.

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

Although Gates agrees with this point of view and supports the active development of software on the second-generation Fangyuan computer platform, he is unwilling to see his subordinates completely ignore IBM. After all, his dream of operating system can be realized there.

This kind of forward-looking and backward-looking psychology is really tangled.

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 difficult. In the original time and space, due to the great success of IBM-PC, he was called "the father of IBM-PC".

Before Jobs poached Sculley from Coca-Cola, he liked Don Estridge. Unfortunately, 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 CGrid running on the second-generation Fangyuan computer could handle larger tables, and the data calculation speed was still quite fast, so they impatiently placed orders.

Zheru's word processing software WordEasy is also very attractive. When the printer outputs the content on the screen and allows the audience to experience the powerful typesetting function of WYSIWYG, some people holding the paper in their hands actually said in admiration "I didn't expect that even the sound of the printer was so beautiful."

What kind of mental retardation is this? Don Estridge couldn't help but get a black line on 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 clothing, appearance and behavior.

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", a small game transplanted from the electronic game console platform.

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

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 manufacturers always brag about the excellent performance and powerful functions of their products, but the world's mysterious impression of computers has long been ingrained, including even high-quality groups such as university professors.

The calculator example illustrates this phenomenon well.Its functions are included in the computer, and the price in the early days was not cheap. The users were also professionals, but people were still willing to choose a calculator, a product with a single function of calculating numerical values. This was implicitly because of the fear of computers. Make trouble.

No matter how sensational the advertisement of the personal computer is, people still have a vague view of its role.The second-generation Fangyuan computer is different. Through the software system applicable to different fields, users can understand the value of this product, and the operation is simple, without the mystery and difficulty in the traditional sense.

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

Ding ding, ding ding ding...

Zheru's unique voice logo brought Don Estridge back from contemplation to reality.

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

Compared with the slightly solemn one next to it, the atmosphere here is completely hot, it can be called a casino, and many people are waiting in line to try the latest game.

"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 girl 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 EA products are not as popular as 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 LCD screen and contains a game of "Tetris".

Don Estridge found helplessly that this little overlord's palm treasure was really novel, and it was very good for changing his mind or killing his spare time while waiting for a car.

These thriving companies belong to the same boss, and they must be handy to support each other.

And my own chess project is just an insignificant department in IBM. Before the management committee realizes its true value, it may not get more resource support than the other party.

But in the next confrontation, he may not have the advantage, not to mention that the opponent has already preemptively struck.

Thinking of this, Don Estridge couldn't help feeling awe-inspiring.

……

Tang Huan looked at the statistical data in the office area behind the booth and was scratching his head.

Game consoles are indeed very popular, and the group of people under them even plan arrogantly, trying to get every COMDEX participant to buy a Xiaobawang Palm, 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 still 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. It will be improved by Christmas”, but individual users are still willing to pay up front and wait on the spot.

Could it be that the $4000 threshold can't stop your impulse to buy? Tang Huan couldn't help shaking his head.

However, after careful consideration of this price range, it seems reasonable.

The products that IBM's sales staff are interested in are basically priced at more than 20000 US dollars. DEC and HP's various minicomputers have not put down their dignity. Faithful.

While Tang Huan was thinking, he walked to the front of the booth, just in time to see the back of Don Estridge, who was playing with the Little Overlord's Palm in his hand, and turned to leave.

For the "father of IBM-PC" 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 a real person at close range. Know yourself and the enemy, and you will never be imperiled in a hundred battles.

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 there were a few more wrinkles on his face, which was used to smiling, and he raised the Little Overlord's Palm and shook it, "Dude, I just took care of you." 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, how can you do it without two brushes?
But 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 spend more money to buy a second-generation Fangyuan computer, I will be 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 to buy a second-generation Fangyuan computer right now, 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 style is somewhat similar to that of Jobs, he acted rashly without so many worries, so he immediately agreed.

After they were seated and made coffee, Tang Huan stared at Don Estridge and said calmly, "The personal computer worth $2000 you promised is murderous."

"Don't you claim to be No.1 of the third-generation personal computer? Naturally, you must be prepared for the challenge." Don Estridge took out the instruction manual of Xiaobawang Zhangzhongbao calmly, and read it at a glance. stand up.

"What you said makes sense." Tang Huan nodded, "$2000 is also the price range I hope for. Unfortunately, I can't reach it for the time being, 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 go out of your way to get information from me." Don Esterlich shook his head contemptuously, "Whether you are ready or not, you will 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's 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 these peripheral companies is also the meaning of the question.

Seeing that Don Esterlich remained silent after hearing his prediction, Tang Huan was secretly amused.

Because of its own influence, Apple went public three months in advance, so IBM's chess plan was completed three months in advance, or even half a year, 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 specification of the system programming interface.

The deeper meaning of this matter is that IBM's prototype was handed over to Microsoft, and the relationship is intertwined.

What Don Estridge didn't know was that the QDOS that Gates racked his brains to buy was a complete scam, with at least hundreds of bugs in it, plus the cooperation of the imperfect IBM prototype, each This kind of strange problem emerges endlessly. In the original time and space, it tortured both sides unspeakably, but each has been bound to each other's chariot, especially the chess planning team, there is no time to regret it, and they can only hold their noses I admit it, and 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 our army's morale." Don Estrich picked up his 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 $2000? Apple is naturally thinking about how to fight back. I will also appropriately adjust the basic price of $4000 downwards to create an encirclement." Tang Huan said with a smile on his face. Smiling evilly, he explained patiently.

Upon hearing this, Don Estridge couldn't sit still any longer, and said angrily, "Let's wait and see", got up and left.

Looking at the back of Don Estridge, an opponent with a western cowboy style, Tang Huan smiled and waved.

Up to now, this COMDEX is almost busy, and we have to continue to follow up the cooperation with Seagate, and its founder Alan Shugart has agreed to visit Zheru company.

According to Tang Huan's vision, the first batch of external partners with self-owned technology will choose two, Seagate, which produces hard disks, and 3COM, which provides LAN technology.

Their products will be connected to the system of the second-generation Fangyuan computer through the expansion slot. The reason why they do not directly choose to integrate the interface internally is to set a model for hardware partners on the one hand, and to prevent technical risks on the other hand. .In case of problems with industry standards, they can be replaced relatively easily and will not be tightly bound together.

Of course, this is just for insurance purposes.In the original time and space, there were basically no major problems in the industrial direction of Seagate and 3COM, but now no one knows about them, and they just took advantage of the loopholes to establish a marriage relationship with them.

While Tang Huan was meditating, suddenly a gust of fragrant wind hit him. He opened his eyes and saw that it was Madonna, whose music career had recently entered a clear upward path, walking gracefully closer.

(End of this chapter)