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From: jb10320@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Desdinova)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: New Apple II generation
Message-ID: <1990Nov20.013635.16221@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 20 Nov 90 01:36:35 GMT
References: <9011182054.AA29954@apple.com>
Sender: news@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (News)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Lines: 58

In article <9011182054.AA29954@apple.com> ST102272@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU (Apple Defender) writes:
[...]
>The compatiblity with the IIE would be improved.  SCSI, 4 Meg memory, ENSONIQ
>sound, 15-25 Megahertz microprocessor would be built in.  Also, it would have
>an improved tool box and more efficient software, which would run all the
>goodies currently available (like Pagemaker).  Basically, I'd like to built a
>II with the power and flexibility of a Mac, for about 1000 or so, everything
>included (printer, monitor, hard drive, etc.)
>
>Do you think this is possible, or would Apple let me do it?

   I think the biggest bottleneck to creating a more powerful IIgs is
the 1MHz slot-card bottleneck.  Remove that, and you've got a winner.
   I'm not sure what you mean by "compatibility with IIE would be
improved".  95% of IIe programs work on the GS, and the ones that don't
are very special-purpose, and are often superceded by GS specific items.
   The GS needs the following things to be turned into an inexpensive
powerhouse-
1) Ability to access all of the 16Meg memory space.
2) A PMMU to manage all that memory
3) Fast slots
4) a 20MHz or so processor with a cache on the motherboard.
5) built in SCSI, in addition to the built-ins it has right now.
6) Slightly better graphics system.

Most of this has been said before.  Find and read the "Apple IIf" (alias
Apple IITPW :-) paper for more info.
My addition to it is the PMMU.  Some might say it's not necessary, but I
disagree.  With as much memory as many have in their GSs, about the only
way they can use it is with NDAs and the like.  A PMMU would enable the
computer to prevent NDAs from stepping on the application or the OS,
or vice versa.  It would also allow the eventual creation of a true
multitasking OS, which would be wonderful on the Apple II.  Imagine
running Choplifter in a window next to AppleWorks GS.

* SOAPBOX *
It's almost undeniable that Apple would snuff any attempt at such a 
machine immediately.  They want to milk as much money from it as
possible, without having to do R&D.  Letting another company have it
would reduce their profits.  Apple making a new GS would reduce
their profits.  No, they're quite happy the way things are.  I think
they want to see if their Mac sales are affected as they slowly
strangle the II.
* END SOAPBOX *

However, in the event there is no new Apple II, you can still do wonders
with what you have.  Thanks to Tony Fadell & Co., we'll soon have a 
lightening fast processor.  If I & Co. can get around some of the
problems we're having, and find some to work on it, we'll have a nice
graphics card.  And a PMMU for Unix (or a very much enhanced GS/OS).
Time is the key here..

--
Jawaid Bazyar               | Blondes in big black cars look better wearing
Senior/Computer Engineering | their dark sunglasses at night. (unk. wierdo)
jb10320@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu    |      The gin, the gin, glows in the Dark!
   Apple II Forever!        |                             (B O'Cult)
Comp.Sys.Apple2- Home of the Unofficial Apple II Developer Support Team (DST)