CompuServe Messages

G'day, >> Probably start by modifying the CD32 motherboard. I think that's a >> good start for the "little" people. Personally, I think there should only be one Amiga motherboard. The "low end" and the "high end" machines should have the same motherboard, and come in the same case. They can have different CPU's on CPU cards. The AAA (or whatever) chipset can also be on a seperate card. This way third party developers only have to make one version of their hardware (as opposed to the 53 different versions they have to make at the moment), whoever makes the Amiga only has to design one motherboard to fit into one case, and the end user is not penalised with regard to expansion potential because they can't afford the $68,000 high end machine. This would also make production cheaper as they only have to have one motherboard production line (they can plug the appropriate CPU card as per demand), one case (ease and standardisation of assembly), and no "we're not producing high end machines becuse we need full motherboard production capacity for the low end demand" problems. The "low end" machine could have a PowerPC 601 (or 603) CPU card, whilst the "high end" machine could have a PowerPC 620 (or 2 or 3 etc. 🙂 ). I understand that the PowerPC 601 chips are cheaper than the viable 680×0 alternative (ie. 68040, lets face it, with Pentium systems rapidly dropping to tupence for two dozen a lowly 68030 just doesn't cut it anymore in the value stakes.) The "Chipset" board could also have the chipram mounted on it, instead of the motherboard, just in case AAAA is 64, 128, 256 bit etc. All RAM should, of course, be socketed. Preferbly 72pin Simms, perhaps EDRAM? There should be lots of expansion slots on the motherboard. The cost of designing a new motherbord with "one or two" slots for the "low end" machine would more than outweigh the $10.00 it costs to put a full compliment of slots on one standard motherboard. That cost can be burdened by the consumer, I'd certainly pay $10 more to get proper expansion capabilities. The 500/600/1200 mentality should be eradicated. Designing systems like that is just an added drain on resources. The only Amiga sans-"lots of slots in a desktop/mini tower/full tower case" should be a portable. Given the choice, I'd say the vast majority of 500/600/1200 owners would prefer lots of expansion slots, but couldn't afford them in the Commodore scheme of things (about $400 per slot I think the going rate was, not bad for a $1.00 connecter) That was one of the problems for hardware developers (and Commodore) …. Far too many identical but incompatible hardware variations (slot wise). All IMHO. Sam Yates Montrose, Victoria, Australia. samyates@werple.apana.org.au samyates@ozemail.com.au