Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!know!sdd.hp.com!wuarchive!psuvax1!rutgers!cbmvax!cbmehq!cbmger!peterk From: peterk@cbmger.UUCP (Peter Kittel GERMANY) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy Subject: Re: looking for advice / information Message-ID: <1096@cbmger.UUCP> Date: 11 Apr 91 06:41:00 GMT References: <10047@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> Reply-To: peterk@cbmger.UUCP (Peter Kittel GERMANY) Organization: Commodore Bueromaschinen GmbH, West Germany Lines: 76 In article <10047@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> asg@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Bruce Varney) writes: (Sorry, no real prices from me) > 1) I currently have a 286. How well will my software run on an Amiga > a) with the software emulater --------cost? *** not fast, like an old XT, few (CGA?) if any graphics > b) with the AT emulator board --------cost? *** A little slower perhaps than on your present 286. If you need, you can plug in an additional VGA card. > 2) I have heard that when the 040 comes out, it will be easy to put it > in the 3000ux, and that it will cost around $1000. I have also heard > that it will be easy to make a few mods to make the 040 see the 030 > and use it to process in parralell. Comments? *** All possible, all dependant on the design of the add-on board. > 3) Can the amiga even emulate VGA software? *** Not directly, but you can use that AT emulator board plus a real VGA card. On the Amiga you have different video modes like the HAM mode, that can display up to 4096 colors simultaneously (VGA only 256) with some restrictions. > 4) Can the amiga access it's 3.5 drive for dos software? *** Yes, by means of special (PD) driver software only 720 KB. A 1.44 MB compatible drive is announced. > 5) How good is the Amiga SVR4 software? *** They are all fond of it. > 6) I have heard price quotes at $4000, and $4900 for the > Amiga3000ux with 5M ram, 100M HD, and the OS included. > which is correct? > 6.4) 5.25 drive? Cost? *** Available from 3rd party, a little more expensive than 3.5" Note: no place for it in normal A3000, put it external (normal configuration of such a drive) or choose A3000T (tower) > 6.5) Extra disk space? How much cna I get? How much does it cost? *** You have SCSI. Theoretically you can connect 7x8 drives with 2 (4?) GB each, enough? > 6.6) Tape backup? How much? *** Yes, e.g. A3070. > 7) what is a genloc? Cost? *** A genlock takes an external video source, synchronizes your Amiga to it and mixes the two signals. With the A3000, you can choose by software to have either the pure Amiga or pure video signal on the output, or having the Amiga picture overlaid on the video pic. One of the Amiga colors (normally background, color 0, but now with ECS choosable, as far as I understand) is defined transparent to let the video pic shine through. Costs range from extremely cheap to professionally expensive. > 8) any CD-rom stuff for the amiga? Cost? *** As CDTV is starting to ship, there will probably be an external CD-ROM drive, perhaps in future also CDTV emulation software? This is future, but perhaps near future. > 9) and Midi interface stuff for the Amiga? Cost? *** Available, cheap. > 10) Input interface for VHs? Cost? Scanners? Cost? *** Diverse digitizers, framegrabbers and scanners available. Scanners at comparable cost as on PCs. Much other equipment much cheaper than for PCs, because Amiga pre-designed for this application. Amiga really shines here, keynote: VideoToaster. > 11) Is there anything an Amiga cannot do? *** Well, can't outperform a Cray II, but else? But in fact, it is a little weak in text processing, but that's by common opinion not up to the machine, but only politics with software houses. If you really want to expand the machine so heavily, you should consider the A3000T model in the tower case, coming RSN. >Part B - I am going to be starting a computer buisiness with some >friends this summer. I am going to make more money (I am a Co-op >student) than I expected this year, and will have paid quite alot >in income tax. Will I be able to deduct some portion (an approx how much?) >of the purchase price for tax purposes? If you lived in Germany: Sure :-) -- Best regards, Dr. Peter Kittel // E-Mail to \\ Only my personal opinions... Commodore Frankfurt, Germany \X/ {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!cbmger!peterk