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From: lphillips@lpami.vnet.van-bc.UUCP (Larry Phillips)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Amiga 500 expansion concerns
Message-ID: <1540@van-bc.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 15-Nov-87 19:03:00 EST
Article-I.D.: van-bc.1540
Posted: Sun Nov 15 19:03:00 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 17-Nov-87 05:53:49 EST
Sender: root@van-bc.UUCP
Lines: 43


	There seems to be a persistent notion that the expansion slot on the
A500 is both backwards and upside down. This is most definitely not the
case. The connector is backwards, but right side up. Pin 1 is on the top
of the motherboard and toward the rear of the A500.

The main obstacles to expanding the A500 are:

	1. Available power. All expansions drawing more current than a
	   simple ROM cartridge will need a separate power supply.
	2. Physical considerations:
		a. Height of the expansion connector
		b. Depth expansion connector is recessed from edge of case.
	3. The same consideration as the A1000 _should_ have been given
	   with regard to SOTS vs. expansion chassis.

	The above points should only affect existing A1000 peripherals, since
all new expansion devices will be properly designed. -- 1/2 :-) --

<slight flamage ahead>
	In the same vein, please be aware that the "let's do it cheap and not
bother telling the customer" mentality has already struck the first blow
in the A500 arena. The Spirit Technologies internal 1.5 meg expansion will
most definitely overtax the power supply, and flat should not be
considered for the A500. As might be expected from a company who would do
this, they blame CBM for not supplying enough power, and if you complain
loudly enough, will tell you to purchase a beefier supply. They also claim
that it is CBM's fault that only 1 meg of their 1.5 meg expansion will
autoconfig, and that this will be 'fixed' in an upcoming release.
Personally, if smeone gave me one of their products, I would dismantle it
for parts.
<end of flamage, resume normal speed>

Larry.


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