Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tekig5!wayneck
From: wayneck@tekig5.PEN.TEK.COM (Wayne C Knapp)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: A different review of the A3000
Message-ID: <6212@tekig5.PEN.TEK.COM>
Date: 9 May 90 21:25:59 GMT
References: <135251@sun.Eng.Sun.COM> <EACHUS.90May9111048@aries.linus.mitre.org>
Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or.
Lines: 25

In article <EACHUS.90May9111048@aries.linus.mitre.org>, eachus@linus.mitre.org (Robert I. Eachus) writes:

>    Seriously, by the definitions we use here, the Sun-3/50, or an
> original Mac II just make it across the line into workstations.  A
> Sun-3/80 or an Amiga 2500/30 is a mid-range workstation.  The 3000
> makes it into the high-end (mostly because of the greater than 16M
> memory capacity*, and the Super Hi-Res video modes).

The SPARCstation 1 comes with 8 megs.  Runs at least 3x faster on interger
type code.  I don't think you can even compare the floating point performace
as the SPARC does well, not great like the new IBM 6000 line but pretty good.
Don't even talk about real tools.  Graphics, well when compared to the top
of the line Sun graphics, the A3000 is pretty limited unless you dump a lot
of money into it.  Even then you end up with just a hack.  If you look at the
price/performace ratio the SPARC is the bargin.

Now, if the SPARCstation 1 is quickly falling into the mid-range workstation
range, where does that leave the A3000?  All this talk of comparing the A3000
to workstations is silly.  If the A3000 was out two years ago it would have
been a different story, but it just doesn't cut it today!

However, in the new and growing multi-media market the A3000 maybe a winner.
I hope, in fact I have a lot riding on it.  Workstation no, useful PC yes.

                                                 Wayne Knapp