Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac:51021 comp.graphics:10527 comp.arch:14725
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watdragon!lion!nrjwong
From: nrjwong@lion.waterloo.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac,comp.graphics,comp.arch
Subject: Re: New RISC Graphics for Macs (and other Quest's)
Message-ID: <22297@watdragon.waterloo.edu>
Date: 21 Mar 90 07:13:28 GMT
References: <29560@amdcad.AMD.COM>
Sender: daemon@watdragon.waterloo.edu
Reply-To: nrjwong@lion.waterloo.edu ()
Organization: U. of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 67

In article <29560@amdcad.AMD.COM> brett@cayman.AMD.COM (Brett Stewart) writes:
>The following information is the text of a product announcement
>concerning the use of a RISC processor, the Am29000, in new Mac
>graphic solutions from Apple.
>
[Stuff Deleted]
>
>The new apple card takes advantage of the power of the
>high-performance Am29000 (29K(tm)) to work in conjunction with the
>system's central processing unit (CPU).  This allows the CPU to work
>on other tasks while the 29K-based card executes graphics commands.
>Depending on the application, the card accelerates the Macintosh
>computer's QuickDraw-based graphics by five to 30 times over typical
>Macintosh drawing speeds.  Additionally, the card will be able to
>incorporate new graphics innovations as they become available because
>the Am29000 processor is initialized through a QuickDraw(tm) software
>file.  The GC card will be able to take advantage of future QuickDraw
>enhancements simply by replacing the file.
>

How about using the 29K for some non-display work? I know of
a guy who is trying to use the Amiga's blitter to encode
bytes for a custom  floppy disk format.
[ From a poor student, longing for a Yarc NuSuper. :-)]

[Stuff Deleted]

So are there any wait states in the IIfx?

When will the logic board upgrade be available? A Cdn newspaper,
well not a newspaper really - it's the Toronto Sun :-), quotes
about $4500 Cdn for the upgrade. From a $2999 U.S. list price.
Ouch! 

From the Mac IIfx press release:
What are Mac IIfx-specific DRAMs? Are they just faster? What speed
SIMMs(I assume SIMMs are still being used) should one stick into a IIfx?
The new keyboard:
Is it available separately? Will it replace the current extended keyboard?

What's the SCSI transfer rate now?
Are ROMS soldered in or are they SIMMs?
Does the IIfx have the IIci's built-in video (from the press
release, it looks like a no)?
Have you guys gone back to the heavier balls in the mice or
are they still light as a feather (so to speak)?

Video cards press release:
Re: Apple Convolution: Is this NTSC output direct from the video card?

The press release talks about the  VRAM kit giving
the 4.8 video card true color and true gray scale of the 8.24.
Does this mean 24-bit colour?

How about responses from people who actually have IIfx's?

These product announcements address
some of the more common complaints I've had w.r.t. Apple's
heavy-duty mutli-media campaign. The 8.24 GC video card
can only help improve the Mac's multimedia performance. Now,
if only the sound were just as good...(it's available but
not easily accessible).

Just extremely curious,

Johnny Lee
jlee4@orchid.waterloo.edu or nrjwong@lion.waterloo.edu