BELL ATLANTIC SUPPORT

Less than a year after NeXT stopped manufacturing its technically advanced but poorly selling hardware, many customers still rely on existing NeXTstations, NeXTcubes, and even those rarely seen NeXTdimensions to run their businesses.

Orphaned or not, these customers are finding it difficult to match the integration, robustness, and all-around elegance of the original NeXT hardware with existing Intel configurations. If you shop around, NeXT computers can be a real bargain.

The Sleuth called Bell Atlantic, the authorized service provider for NeXT hardware, to see if NeXT was keeping its promise to provide support for users of black hardware. The Sleuth was pleased to discover knowledgeable, extremely cooperative technicians who were ready to do whatever it takes to keep a system running, whether that means arranging for either on- or off-site service, sending out replacement parts, or selling a fully configured system.

Bell Atlantic has emerged as an important source for everything from complete systems to toner cartridges, CD-ROM drives, and NeXT ADB keyboards. Its stock won't last forever, but while it does, black hardware remains a viable option.

NeXT hardware support: 800/ 499-3698. Bell Atlantic: 800/345-7950.

Each month, the Sleuth will look at a different aspect of NEXTSTEP distribution.