New Commodore USA "PC"s
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 5:16 pm
A few weeks ago I had ninety minute long conversation with the principle behind Commodore USA LLC, Barry Altman, and I have been thinking about what to say/do about it since that time. What is the legitimacy of his operation? What is the legitimacy of the Commodore brand, both legal and historic? Should I support it? Should I resell it? All difficult questions.
Note that at that time I agreed not to disclose some of the items we discussed but it would seem that much of the private information he provided is now floating around the net. One of those items, which is now "out" is this advert: which I have to think is going to annoy Apple, one of the most aggressively litigious firms in the industry. Further, Comodo is the name for the future Commodore USA related O.S. is also likely to have them end in legal troubles. That being said I will still not disclose any of the items Barry flagged as off the record.
As of today, this is what I think:
COMPANY:
Commodore USA, LLC appears to be legitimate entity although the Commodore Phoenix PC is nothing more than two year old technology from Cybernet http://www.cybernetman.com/en/products/ ... tprint-pc/ and the Amigo seems to be an Via based SoC (System on Chip) ultra low end Asian OEM product.
Given that they are just reselling hardware at what appears to be a pretty steap profit, there does not seem to be a way for the company to fail. There is apparently no R&D, no substantial offices, no retail operations, and no support structure. If in 2010 they sell 25,000 units, they will make lots of money. If they sell 1,000 units, the will lose a small amount of money.
BRAND:
The Commodore brand is apparently in no longer in negotiation. I have an email into Commodore Gaming (the current owner of the Brand) but I have not confirmed it myself. Even if "Commodore USA" did arrange to carry the blue chicken head C= brand, I don't see a notable innovation in the current product, the hardware seems overpriced by about 25%, and I see no R&D for future products.
MY SUPPORT:
My support will be limited. If Barry can make the arrangements with current holder of the brand, Commodore Gaming, I will wish him well.
RESALES:
At this time I see the market as too small for resale’s. Barry will try to sell directly if he can and at this time, I would not want to become embroiled in legal issues which I think Commodore Gaming will likely be aggressively pursuing against the so called Commodore USA, LLC.
Note that at that time I agreed not to disclose some of the items we discussed but it would seem that much of the private information he provided is now floating around the net. One of those items, which is now "out" is this advert: which I have to think is going to annoy Apple, one of the most aggressively litigious firms in the industry. Further, Comodo is the name for the future Commodore USA related O.S. is also likely to have them end in legal troubles. That being said I will still not disclose any of the items Barry flagged as off the record.
As of today, this is what I think:
COMPANY:
Commodore USA, LLC appears to be legitimate entity although the Commodore Phoenix PC is nothing more than two year old technology from Cybernet http://www.cybernetman.com/en/products/ ... tprint-pc/ and the Amigo seems to be an Via based SoC (System on Chip) ultra low end Asian OEM product.
Given that they are just reselling hardware at what appears to be a pretty steap profit, there does not seem to be a way for the company to fail. There is apparently no R&D, no substantial offices, no retail operations, and no support structure. If in 2010 they sell 25,000 units, they will make lots of money. If they sell 1,000 units, the will lose a small amount of money.
BRAND:
The Commodore brand is apparently in no longer in negotiation. I have an email into Commodore Gaming (the current owner of the Brand) but I have not confirmed it myself. Even if "Commodore USA" did arrange to carry the blue chicken head C= brand, I don't see a notable innovation in the current product, the hardware seems overpriced by about 25%, and I see no R&D for future products.
MY SUPPORT:
My support will be limited. If Barry can make the arrangements with current holder of the brand, Commodore Gaming, I will wish him well.
RESALES:
At this time I see the market as too small for resale’s. Barry will try to sell directly if he can and at this time, I would not want to become embroiled in legal issues which I think Commodore Gaming will likely be aggressively pursuing against the so called Commodore USA, LLC.