Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!emory!att!rutgers!cbmvax!drysdale
From: drysdale@cbmvax.commodore.com (Scott Drysdale)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re: A2500 vs. A3000
Message-ID: <20299@cbmvax.commodore.com>
Date: 2 Apr 91 22:32:02 GMT
References: <1991Mar30.190342.7819@ariel.unm.edu>
Reply-To: drysdale@cbmvax.commodore.com (Scott Drysdale)
Distribution: comp.sys.amiga.hardware,comp.sys.amiga.tech,comp.sys.amiga.misc
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA
Lines: 59

In article <1991Mar30.190342.7819@ariel.unm.edu> sletour@triton.unm.edu (Steve Le Tourneau) writes:
>I currently have an A500 and am in the market to buy a more powerful Amiga.
>The problem is, I don't know if I should get an A2500 or an A3000. I am looking
>for the Pro's and Con's of each of the two systems.
>
>The system I choose will be used for the following:
>
>	Desk Top Publishing - Writing design specs and user's manuals.
>	CAD applications
>	PC/AT compatibility (I know, I know!) - For my wife's coursework
>	Desk Top Video - I would like to get into this field as a hobbie
>	Graphics - Modeling and Animations
>	School Work - CS & EE type applications
>	
>The salesperson with whom I spoke is directing me towards the A2500 since there
>are more I/O slots. He feels this is necessary for the Video applications. He
>also mentioned that *certain* programs are not compatible between the two
>systems and there are more "tried-and-true" programs for the A2500. Another
>consideration was the fact that the Video Toaster did not fit correctly in the
>A3000 frame. 
>
>He is pushing the AT BridgeBoard for the PC/AT compatibility and
>indicated that the BridgeBoard may not run in an A3000. I was thinking about
>the ATOnce with my A500 for the PC/AT compability. Are there any thoughts on
>these two options?

the bridgeboards *do* work in a 3000.  the problem with bridgeboards is that
if you are running ks/wb 2.x on a machine with a data cache, you have to
disable the data cache at least for bridgeboard address space.  CPU NODATACACHE
will disable all data caching, late model ENFORCER will disable data caching
only for boards that need it disabled (like bridgeboards).

if you put a 2286 bridgeboard in a 3000, you'll only have 2 slots left,
since the 2286 is a two-board stack which partially obscures the slot toward
it's component side.

>Finally, I want to make sure that I am purchasing a system with the best upgrade
>path. Which machine (A2500 or A3000) will best accomodate future CPU cards and
>the like?
>
>If you feel that you have some ideas that could help me with these descisions,
>please e-mail a response. I will post an summary of the responses at a later 
>date.
>
>
>Thank you in advance!
>
>Steve Le Tourneau
>
>e-mail:	sletour@triton.unm.edu


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Scott Drysdale           Software Engineer
Commodore Amiga Inc.     UUCP {allegra|burdvax|rutgers|ihnp4}!cbmvax!drysdale
		         PHONE - yes.
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