CompuServe Messages

Harry, The Amiga 3000 is very similar in configuration to the Mac IIci and IIcx. Prices are about the same (unless you happen to be a student…CBM has some REAL nice discounts) with the Amigas being a might cheaper. The A3000 is a bit more powerful than the IIci (can handle more RAM, has multiple onboard coprocessors to handle specific tasks [similar to the approach used in the IIfx]). With a Mac, the OS will eat up a lot of you initial RAM, so you will need more than with an Amiga to start (try starting a IIci with only 2 Mb of RAM…then wait for system 7.0…which needs 2 Mb just to load…) The new Macs (Classic, et al) are priced the same ($3,000 to $5,000) for COLOR machines [the Classic is reportedly <$1,000 but is a monochrome Mac, more like an upgraded Mac Plus]. Bottom line…a Mac can run Mac software and IBM software (with the right add ons), but not Amiga software. An Amiga can run Amiga, IBM and Mac with the right add ons. A cheap Mac is a mono Mac. Last of all…consider the price of the SOFTWARE you want…Mac is usually about twice the price (even for the exact same stuff: i.e. Sculpt 3D is listed at $1495 for the Mac and listed at $495 for the Amiga [street prices relatively lower] for the EXACT SAME PRIDUCT!) Figure out what you want to do, then not only price the machine, but price the software (which is essential) and you will find a large disparity. The Amiga also multitasks…the Mac fakes it. -Chas