Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!atha!aunro!alberta!brazeau.ucs.ualberta.ca!unixg.ubc.ca!ubc-cs!uw-beaver!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tektronix!percy!cryo!billc From: billc@cryo.rain.com (William J. Coldwell) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware Subject: Re: Price reduction on Mega-Midget Racer? Message-ID: Date: 19 Jun 91 21:44:47 GMT References: <1991Jun19.014314.24705@ccu.umanitoba.ca> <18730012@col.hp.com> Organization: Cryogenic Software Lines: 28 In article <18730012@col.hp.com> davem@col.hp.com (Dave K. Martin) writes: >As I understand it, what CSA is doing is taking the '030 chips that have a >defective memory management unit (internal to the '030) and installing them >in the 'economy versions' of the Mega-Midget Racers. They are doing some >magic in firmware to mask off the non-functional mmu. You still get most of >the benifits of running a faster '030, but you cannot run stuff like Un*x, etc >which require a functional mmu. The prices I've seen advertised are about >$150 cheaper for the economy versions of the MMR. Let's get some FACTS in here... CSA is not using _defective_ chips; they are using the new plastic 'EC' 68030s from Motorola. These chips run faster and cooler than the ceramic ones with the MMU. There is NO "magic" firmware that masks off the MMU, cause Motorola didn't put one in! Motorola is marketing these chips at a reduced rate to compete with Intel's embedded controller versions of the 80x86 chips (hence the '68EC030' designation). You lose running Unix (which hasn't been released for ANYTHING other than the 3000UX (grrrr.)), popping the ROM into 32bit RAM, and running MMU toys like the Enforcer. You gain a few extra buxks to afford some 32bit RAM ;-). >davem BTW: I don't speak for CSA, and they don't speak for Cryogenic (just to get the record straight). -- William J. Coldwell Internet: billc@cryo.rain.com I ZROCK! Amiga Attitude Adjuster UUCP: tektronix!percy!cryo!billc 3-D Pro 2.0! Cryogenic Software BBX: CRYO @ 503/257-4823 [ORPOR] CSA 40/4 Magnum! This message was brought to you by the Number '3' and the Letter 'D'.