Wow! C-USA's first commercial.

[Kremlar]

As mostly a lurker I have to say the following:
 
 - Franko and most of the other trolls on here come off as mentally challenged people with no lives.  
 
 - I think it's great that someone is actually doing SOMETHING with the Commodore & Amiga names.  Bottom line is that no one else was, and taking a stab at the x86 market probably offers the best chance of success.
 
 - I have to question the market for a C64-style chassis.  It has some retro appeal, but in reality who would want to use something like that every day?  Nevermind the lack of ergonomics and non-standard keyboard layout, but is there a market for the computer-in-a-keyboard form factor anymore?  I don't think so, but perhaps I'm wrong!
 
Anyway, best of luck Commodore USA.  And Barry - why do you bother coming here and arguing with the trolls?  You'll never convince them of the obvious - it's a waste of time.

[Kremlar]

Similar spec systems without a C64 look alike case (but supplied with Windows 7).

1) Acer Aspire Revo $344.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883103297

2)Acer Veriton $434.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883103324

Or about $165 to $255 less.  

No shit.  Are you seriously wondering why Commodore USA can't match the price of an Acer spec for spec?
 
No one competes with low-end PCs from Acer/Dell/HP anymore unless they have something unique.  There's no profit to be made.  Commodore USA's selling point is the Commodore name, unique case, and retro appeal.
 
Commodore USA is banking that people will pay a premium for that.  Will they?  I think some will.  We'll find out.
 
Heck, if some people are willing to pay a much bigger premium for sub-standard, slow hardware based on an obsolete platform just to run an obscure OS that is incompatible with the vast majority of software and hardware out there... perhaps Commodore USA has a chance!

[Kremlar]

But as to "Are you seriously wondering why Commodore USA can't match the price of an Acer spec for spec", absolutely. Computers are mere commodity items these days. You can attempt to market with unique features, but unless those features offer utility (rather than the intangibles you've mentioned) you're going to have difficulty justifying a price premium.  

I disagree.  Many things allow a company to sell at a price premium.  Aesthetics is one of them.  There are companies out there whose business is selling $200+ computer cases.  Do they really offer any utility above a standard $40 PC clone case?  I'd say no, but nonetheless people do pay a premium for them.
 
What I don't understand is why so many people on here feel the need to attack Commodore USA's business plan so emotionally.  These same people would rather have Commodore USA invest in AmigaOS 4.x, PowerPC, AROS, whatever... Do these people really think that's a more sound business plan?

Let the market decide.

[Kremlar]

And I don't think that the people that are attacking C=USA would want the company involved in their hobbyist pursuits either. You're way of base there.

So what DO they want?