Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!uflorida!mephisto!udel!udccvax1!don From: don@vax1.acs.udel.EDU (Donald R Lloyd) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Re: TT (Who has one?) Keywords: long Message-ID: <6764@vax1.acs.udel.EDU> Date: 19 Jul 90 20:50:12 GMT References: <1990Jul19.135115.2032@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> <1990Jul19.160526.2215@arcsun.arc.ab.ca> Reply-To: don@vax1.udel.edu (Donald R Lloyd) Organization: University of Delaware Lines: 121 In article <1990Jul19.160526.2215@arcsun.arc.ab.ca> erkamp@arcsun.UUCP (Bob Erkamp) writes: > > Comparison of standard features > > Amiga 3000 Mac IIcx Atari TT030 > >CPU 68030 68030 68030 >FPU Yes Yes Yes >Clock speed 16 Mhz - 32 Mhz Yes, a 16MHz A3000 is available (or will be), but the currently shipping model priced closest to the TT ($3995, 2MB, 40MB HD) runs at 25. It also has a coprocessor slot for full '040 support ('030 will still handle menial i/o while '040 does number-crunching) when the chip becomes available. >RAM 2 to 17 1 to 32 2 to 26 ^^^^^^ That's 2-18, and it's on the motherboard itself. Will autoconfigure up to 1.7 GB, and even more can be added via AddMem. >Burst Mode Yes No Yes >ROM 512K 256K 512K >Graphics > Max resolution 1280 x 480 Optional 1280 x 960 > Interlaced Non-interlaced Amiga: Max non-interlaced resolution= 640 x 480 (more w/overscan). 1280 x 800 on Moniterm or A2024 monitors. Mac: I think 640 x 480 is pretty standard. > Max colours 32 Colours 256 Colours > from 4096 from 4096 Amiga: Try 4096 out of 4096. Mac: Most often 256 out of 16 million. > Max video RAM 1 Mb 8 Mb ^^^^^ 2 MB with current chipset >Sound Stereo Stereo Stereo >Expansion Proprietary NuBus VME Amiga 3000 has four Zorro III slots, 2 AT slots, and special video & coprocessor slots. >Hard disk DMA Non-DMA DMA >Floppy disk Proprietary Proprietary PC compatible ^^^^^^^^ But drive can easily be mounted with PC-compatible file system >Network No Yes Yes, DMA ^^^ Not built in but available >Serial 1 x RS232 2 x RS232 4 x RS232 >Parallel Yes No Yes >MIDI No No Yes >ROM Cartridge No No Yes > > The Atari TT030 Hardware > >sound. The TT030 is also designed to run Unix (Unix is a >trademark of AT&T). As is the 3000, and Apple's AUX 2.0 is supposed to be pretty powerful (but slow) when it gets here. >The architecture also includes the industry standard VME bus to >facilitate expansion. The system supports the latest revision >(C.1) of the VME bus specification. The TT030 can accommodate one >single-Eurocard (3U) A24/D 16 or A 16/D 16 slave-only VME board, Only one?!?! >When comparing the TT030 with the competition, four important >features stand out: > > - flicker-free, high resolution colour graphics built-in as > standard Same on A3000. Mac capable of 32-bit color. > - high bus bandwidth, independent of video resolution The A3000 has a separate bus for video & sound, freeing up the bus for other activity. > - excellent connectivity including four RS232 ports, MIDI, > LAN, ASCI & SCSI. This is probably the TT's strong point. Not trying to start a flame war; just trying to correct some misinformation and comment on the TT's advantages/disadvantages as compared to its competition (based on the specs you quoted for the TT, assuming they're accurate). IMHO, the ST line is already too far gone in the US for the TT to make any appreciable sales. What little image Atari has in the general computer marketplace is generally a negative one, despite the fact that they do make some decent computers... The Mac, although still grossly overpriced and somewhat underpowered, has a large software/hardware base and a generally positive image in the marketplace, and more high-end expansion options are available for it. The Amiga 3000 and its relatives don't have too much of an image either, but I've lately seen signs that this is changing. Things like AmigaVision, CDTV, DCTV, Unix SYS5r4, and the Video toaster will keep its sales increasing. Not to mention that in the past year or so, Commodore has really done a tremendous job of getting its act together. DOS machines: ick. Unfortunately, they're cheap and popular, and will continue to be far into the future (ugh). Atari really needs to push the TT's networkability and speed advantage if they want much market penetration. They also need to implement an educational program! Because of CBM'd ed discount, I can get a 25 MHz 3000 and multisync monitor for $3039 (and probably will, when I save up enough cash). -- Gibberish .sig for sale or lease. is spoken Contact don@vax1.acs.udel.edu for more information. here. DISCLAIMER: It's all YOUR fault.