Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!spool.mu.edu!agate!darkstar!ucscb.UCSC.EDU!galpin From: galpin@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (Dan Galpin (Amiga-quester)) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy Subject: Re: The Amiga's Future Keywords: Future, Amiga, etc. Message-ID: <16643@darkstar.ucsc.edu> Date: 5 Jun 91 11:00:46 GMT Article-I.D.: darkstar.16643 References: <1991Jun4.023950.11286@ncsu.edu> <16577@darkstar.ucsc.edu> <22163@cbmvax.commodore.com> Sender: usenet@darkstar.ucsc.edu Organization: University of California, Santa Cruz; Open Access Computing Lines: 88 In article <22163@cbmvax.commodore.com> daveh@cbmvax.commodore.com (Dave Haynie) writes: >In article <16577@darkstar.ucsc.edu> galpin@bill.ucsc.edu (Daniel Abram Galpin) writes: > >> [Point about A500-A2000 not having enough base processor power] > >The point of the A2000 is, it makes add-ins cheap. You can get whatever power >you would like, when you can afford it. It may not be the ideal middle line >system, I agree it could use a bit more base power (well, it is four years old) >but it's a very good starting point. > >>How about a "segmented" system... > >Adding to the A2000 is simple enough. Whaddya want, 10 different special >purpose interfaces? That's not going to cut costs any, since these add-ins >would be machine-specific. Except for coprocessors, whatever goes in your >A2000 could go in your A3000 or any other slotted Amiga that comes along. I was not really talking about an A2000 type machine. The Amiga 2000 is really for the professional user. The machine that I referred to would be designed to augment the "low-cost" Amiga line. The A500 is difficult to expand. Many add- ons must be "hacked" onto the motherboard, violating the warrenty. The "commercial" user is not going to be interested (in my humble opinion) in having to figure out how to install these things (especially since it is quite possible that the individual has little or no dealer support... as they bought the system through a place like Montgomery Ward's or Macy's.) The idea is that the end-user can add on to their system with simple "cartridge" type attachments. These would not be "interfaces," but would work based upon the way many of the "Hacks" work.. by taking lines from the 68000, Denise, Gary and giving easy access. (Unless you see some simpler way) The concept is not to cut end-user costs.. but to give simplicity . > >>How about a built in SCSI interface on a low-cost Amiga, or an all-in-one low >>cost solution such as an Amiga 500 with a built in MIDI interface, SCSI >>interface, 68881 socket, and 8 megs of possible expansion on the motherboard, >>combined with a speed-switchable 68000? These kinds of options are available >>to Macintosh and PC people, and I cannot understand why C= is ignoring the >>pre-built Mid-Range market. > >Huh? No Macs are available with built in MIDI. No speed switchable 68000s >either. They do have a more expensive machine with built-in SCSI, but last >I checked, you could get an A2000 SCSI card for under $100, and not too much >more for an A500's SCSI. Point being, you pay for expansion up front when >you buy an A2000. At least Macs these days is trying a hybrid scheme, where >you don't get any slots with it, but for $200 or so you can get a slot. That's >not really any different than the A500 approach. An A2000HD comes with SCSI >and room for 2MB of extra memory. Some 3rd party solutions in the same >price range give you 4MB-8MB of RAM, along with SCSI. As long as it's not >more expensive, it doesn't much matter where the extra memory is physically >located, does it? > True about no speed-switchable Macs.. but it isn't really that necessary to make a new machine speed switchable. High-end PC clone makers have (until recently) made their machines switchable for compatibility. If I remember correctly, all Macs since the 512KE have built in SCSI. True about MIDI.. but it might be a nice idea (and a selling point..) especially since it comes with CDTV.. :) It is hard to see the A500 as a serious computer when a peripheral as necessary to its high performance operation as a hard drive has to be hanging outside of the left side of the case. (or has to at least be connected with an expensive unit from there... or it can be hacked onto the 68000 socket) The Amiga 2000 could use (in my opinion) a 68881 slot and a faster 68000.. I am really (mainly) referring to the A500 and the difficulty in expanding it to be a semi-professional system.. >Anyone can offer a CD-ROM player, doesn't have to be Commodore. One 3rd party >has one out already. You need a SCSI interfaced CD-ROM, and you need the >ISO filesystem. That's pretty much it. Point taken. However, only the backing of a large company such as Commodore can guarantee standardization (in my opinion). If others wish to also produce CD-ROM's, that is great, but C= should be there somehow with a product. (Yes.. I know of the upcoming A590.. but a product isn't there until I can go to my Amiga retailer and purchase it.) >>- Dan Galpin >-- >Dave Haynie Commodore-Amiga (Amiga 3000) "The Crew That Never Rests" > {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!daveh PLINK: hazy BIX: hazy > "This is my mistake. Let me make it good." -R.E.M. -- ****************************************************************************** * Amiga // * Short (TM) Signature * DISCLAIMER: * * \\ // * galpin@UCSCB.UCSC.EDU * This space reserved for a * * \X/ Only* COMP. QUOTE: Only time will tell* clever disclaimer someday. * ******************************************************************************