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From: eberger@godot.psc.edu (Ed Berger)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: More on Trumpcard 500
Summary: Appologies, and information for those considering hardrive systems.
Message-ID: <740@godot.psc.edu>
Date: 23 Jan 90 15:17:26 GMT
References: <111400078@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> <111400088@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>
Reply-To: eberger@godot.UUCP (Ed Berger)
Organization: Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center
Lines: 53

I appologize for my previous posts.
I did not mean to offend the author I was replying to, or badmouth IVS.  

I simply wanted to point out that the A590 is an excellent alternative,
to the hassles of "hacking your own system".

The A590 NEVER used an ST506 it uses an XT drive (which is not the same)
Look in the Radio Shack catalog at IDE/smartdrives. This is the type used
by the A590. (OK maybe some really early ones did but the first in PGH doesn't).

The A590 is extremely well built.  If you have a problem in a few years,
you'll be able to take it to your local authorized service center.
The software is VERY, VERY, Good!
I've setup old-Cltd/scsi-dos3.3 system, and a Supra ByteSync, and I find
the A590 software a joy to use in comparison)

Many people want to buy just the hardrive first. But they will probably find
out that they then need ram expansion to make up for the losses of due to 
partitions (which are very convenient to have). You can add just 512K to
an A590 for $40 in chips.  (I was glad I didn't have to spend $150 for just
the privledge to add RAM)

The TrumpCard500 offers the following Advantages 
- You can have an AMAX partition (VERY important for some people)
- You can add 4M of RAM expansion (if you buy their ram board)
- The Card can be taken out and inserted into an Amiga2000 
	(This is great for upgrades, or just portability of your hardrive)
- The Controller is available without the drive.
	(This allows you to decide how much you are paying for each part of 
	 the system you are putting together, and shop around)

Its Disadvantages are just the same as any non CBM hardrive system
- Lack of Local Support via Amiga dealers (Your area may be different)
- It doesn't look as nicely integrated with the A500 (Very Subjective)
- These apply to the Supra, CLtd, GVP, Xetec, etc. as well.

I wish the manufacturers' ads were more informative as to requirements to
hack your own system together, showing all the pieces neccessary, or included.
I guess that would scare too may people off.

The A590 is a complete system.  Its a user's product, not a hackers product.
You plug it in and it works.  It doesn't cost much to add ram in the future.
Its easy to add a "mac-external" drive if you want more drive space.
CBM isn't about to go under. (I was considering Cltd, and especially the CMI
                              multiport/SCSI 500 if it would ever show up).


If the MAST Infinity machine ever turns into a real purchasable product,
It will be THE hackers solution for the A500.  I didn't have time to wait
either.

-Ed Berger
eberger@b.psc.edu