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From: sb@pro-generic.cts.com (Stephen Brown)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: 20 Mhz 65816
Message-ID: <10393.infoapple.net@pro-generic>
Date: 26 Feb 90 07:05:19 GMT
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In a recent message, Andy Nicholas (nicholaA@batman.moravian.EDU) mentioned
ASIC, a company which had allegedly designed a 65816 work-alike that operates
at 20 Mhz. Andy leaned towards believing that this was true. I was cynical
too.

Until this weekend, when I visited Tony Fadell, the co-designer of this chip.
After a very long discussion, during which he showed me parts of his chip's
schematic, I came to the conclusion that this was not vapour. He said that he
will begin shipping parts in a matter of weeks, and that YOU name the
quantity, one or as many as you want to build your own computers.

I am very excited, as this IS the first FOR REAL development in the Apple II
world that makes a difference (other than, perhaps, System Disk 5.0.2).   

THERE IS NOW *** NO EXCUSE *** FOR APPLE TO COMPLAIN THAT THEY CANNOT GET
PARTS.  Mensch's alleged 12 Mhz 65816's, shown at AppleFest, with which he
used to burn Gassee, were and are in extremely short supply because he cannot
get them working right.  It is well known that Western Digital's 65816's have
problems running all instructions at high speed.  When asked about this, Tony
assured me that his chips DO NOT share this anomaly.  THERE IS NOW *** NO
EXCUSE *** FOR APPLE TO COMPLAIN THAT THEY CANNOT USE AVAILABLE PARTS.

Sales of the Apple IIGS have now dropped to a critically dangerous level.
Apple must do something NOW. Not tomorrow, not next week, NOW.  The Apple IIGS
will be  D E A D  if they don't. And the promise of "Apple II Forever" won't
be worth "didley" if no one is buying Apple II's.

Apple DTS: I'm sure you're trying your best, but DTS is no good if the product
never sees the light of day. DTS has no control over that. So push whichever
department that needs pushing, to get the stuff off the drawingboard, and
into the open market. Don't rest on your laurels.


Stephen Brown

P.S. I have no relation to ASIC Enterprises, or Anthony M. Fadell, except
possibly being one of his customers when the time comes shortly.

P.S.S. Go ahead and flame me. But be careful. If Apple doesn't do something,
then there will be nothing left to flame about.

sb@pro-generic

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