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From: stever@videovax.TEK.COM.UUCP
Newsgroups: mod.computers.68k
Subject: Submission for mod-computers-68k
Message-ID: <8703031638.AA09090@videovax.tv.Tek.com>
Date: Tue, 3-Mar-87 11:38:09 EST
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Posted: Tue Mar  3 11:38:09 1987
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From: stever@videovax.Tek.COM (Steven E. Rice, P.E.)
Newsgroups: mod.computers.68k
Subject: Re: Multitasking at el...
Summary: 68020 has a significant cost penalty. . .
Message-ID: <4257@videovax.Tek.COM>
Date: 3 Mar 87 16:38:06 GMT
References: <8702211138.AA05883@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> <8702231846.AA05718@amdcad.AMD.COM>
Reply-To: stever@videovax.Tek.COM (Steven E. Rice, P.E.)
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Organization: Tektronix Television Systems, Beaverton, Oregon
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In article <8702231846.AA05718@amdcad.AMD.COM>, Andy Beals
(bandy@amdcad.UUCP) writes:

> . . .  The *next* st to come out will probably
> have an 020.  The next amiga probably will also.

There is a significant cost penalty to the 68020, due to its pin grid array
(PGA) package.  The 68000 and 68010 are packaged in 64-pin DIPs, which are
cheap -- the price of the part will undoubtedly drop to the $3 to $5
neighborhood for large quantities.  The 68020, on the other hand, will
remain pricey ($50 to $75 minimum even in large quantities) until the part
can be packaged in plastic.

Right now, 68020 add-ons to the Amiga sell for $800 to $1,400 (admittedly,
they have other things as well).  Much of that can be laid to low volumes
(the 68020 is about $150 in moderate quantities, and the development cost
of the circuit boards must be amortized over a small production quantity).
However, it is unlikely that a $100 processor will appear in a < $1,500
home computer -- that leaves too little for such essentials as a power
supply, a keyboard, manufacturer's profit and dealer markup!

When the plastic 68020 comes out, it will be a different story. . .

					Steve Rice

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