Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mcsun!sunic!tut!hydra!hylka!jalkio From: JALKIO@cc.helsinki.fi (Varsinainen sikapossu kuoli t{n{{n.) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Re: TT vs 386 boxes and Apples Message-ID: <1049@cc.helsinki.fi> Date: 21 Oct 89 22:24:21 GMT References: <46587ca5.14a1f@force.UUCP> Lines: 84 In article <46587ca5.14a1f@force.UUCP>, covertr@force.UUCP (Richard E. Covert) writes: > In article , cmm1@CUNIXA.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Christopher M Mauritz) writes: >> Well, unless you are a diehard Atari fan (I know, there are still a few >> left), I would advise you to buy the 25mhz 386 now (if you do indeed >> need it now). Besides, if you want to use it for work you would be >> much better off with an industry standard 386 rather than the TT (if it >> ever does hit the market). You'll be able to get software for nearly >> every application at reasonable cost and not have to worry about the >> lagging support of Atari Corp and vaporware promises. It is really to >> bad. The 68030 is such a nice mpu compared to the Intel mpu's. (add ^ >> an o here) Besides, who needs another workstation with non-industry >> standard 16 bit slots. C'mon...what a waste...Although I would like to >> see the TT fly, I don't think you will see it happen (That is IF you >> ever see a TT up close and personal...Ha!) What makes the 386 an industry standard? As far as I know, there are very few programs especially for it. The more people keep supporting only the PC-line (XT, AT, 386...), the more technology has to go along the same traditional tracks. I have got every program I've needed for my Atari ST this far. Usually they are more user-friendly than their PC-counterparts. I think it is stupid to speculate about if the TT is coming or not. They have already introduced it in Germany. (And if it wouldn't come, Atari could soon be in bankrupt or something...) > > > Not only are 80386 PC computers available there have been some really great > prices in misc.forsale for 25 MHZ 80386 computers with 1024 x 768 x 16colors > color graphics. something beyond the power of a TT, I believe. How come that is beyond the power of a TT? For even the ST is NOW available a graphics card with resolution 1280x1024 with 16 colours from palette of 262144. And this is not the only one. I doubt a 25MHz 386 is any faster than a TT. > Also, the ads > I have seen indicate that the 80386 PCs have 32 bit, 16 bit, and 8 bit > motherboard busses, so can use a whole spectrum of IBM PC plugin boards (things > like hard disk on a card, internal modems, additional serial i/o, eprom > burners, geez just all sorts of things that Atari customers are too cheap > to want to buy!!). > What's so important in having INTERNAL modems, etc... You can buy all off those devices for ST's and TT's, too. > So, that kinda leaves Atari and the VaporWare TT/P (for Plastic, sheez what > a great name for a computer. A Plastic computer. Oh boy!!) for someone else to > buy!! Can't you make up better arguments that ones that are based on a computer's name? > >> >> Now that I've got my own little 68030 worksation (named after a popular >> red fruit ) and have it actually in front of me (yes, you can >> actually see and touch it!), I can't believe how slow my ST seems in >> comparison. All I use my ST for now is Air warrior and an occasional >> game. Best of luck in your computer search! >> >> Chris Mauritz Why compare an Apple with 68030 to an ST?!?! Compare a MAC to a ST and compare their price, too! A ST costs only less than a third of a rival MAC, at least here in Finland. You can still emulate a MAC with a ST even faster than a real MAC. Where does all that extra money Apple takes go? > So, from past experience we can expect a CHEAP 68030 machine from Atari that won't > be expandable and will be margin in other aspects. > How come won't be expandable??? You can even expand a ST very well, even if it doesn't actually have ANY card slots... By the way, remember MIDI, too. I think Atari has done a great job bringing computers affordable. Even if I should wait for my new computer a bit longer, it's worth the effort because I can get it many times cheaper than from other manufacturers. I, for my part, will always support economic technology.... Jouni Alkio University of Helsinki, Finland