Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hplabs!hp-sdd!ucsdhub!calmasd!cpp
From: cpp@calmasd.Prime.COM (Chuck Peterson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: AMIGA Fading?
Message-ID: <714@calmasd.Prime.COM>
Date: 14 Nov 89 01:34:39 GMT
References: <3932@nigel.udel.EDU>
Reply-To: cpp@calmasd.Prime.COM (Chuck Peterson)
Organization: Calma - A Division of Prime
Lines: 37

>  "In this case, the focus of attention was the Amiga, a personal computer
>   introduced by Commodore four years ago, whose sagging sales and fading
>   image the company is trying to repair."

The real point here is that it has taken the other personal computers
4 years to catch up, if they have even caught up yet.  (Sorry Mac, still
no multitasking.)  Remember how long it took for OS/2 to be produced?
The Amiga is unique in that it was introduced with all the essential
features: (1) graphical interface, (2) mouse, (3) multitasking, (4) hi-res
color graphics, (6) stereo sound, (7) optional CLI (for power users).

>   Yes, the Amiga's image is fading.  But Commodore can resurrect the
> Amiga's image very easily.  Here is what Commodore needs to do: IT IS TIME
> FOR COMMODORE  TO TOTALLY ABANDON THE 68000 MICROPROCESSOR, FOR ALL MODELS
> OF THE AMIGA.

I agree, because of the low cost, but I'd like to point out that many
experts consider a 68000 to be equivalent to a 286 in power, 68020
equivalent to a 386, and so on.  (The x86 has to be faster to make up for
its poorer architecture.)  Then, when you add in the special chips, the
Amiga is no slouch.  Comparable (or better than) 68020 processors in
other systems, if the software uses it properly.

Commodore got a head start on the rest of the industry with the Amiga.
They didn't have to deal with costly redesign and compatibility issues
which have stalled IBM and Apple in introducing systems having the
same essential features.  Remember that a lot of old IBM and Mac systems
are now obsolete (i.e. unuseable with newest OS), and still lack essential
features.  Amiga 1000 owners have been very lucky.

I'd like to see higher quality hardware, slicker packaging, more reliable
monitors, quieter fans, all at the lowest prices.  Ordinary people are
impressed by the FEEL of equipment by Apple and IBM.

Commodore made lots of money on the 64.  Physically it was solid (I dropped
a speaker on one and it didn't break) even if the system was dated, and the
price was 1/5 what Apple wanted for about the same power.