CompuServe Messages

Just wondered what you all thought about the Apple IIgs. It sure bugs me a lot! They obviously wanted a color Mac which could run Apple II software, and boy, did they create one. I haven't had my hands on one yet, but thay claim that it will run ALL software for the Apple II as well as looking and sounding as good as the Amiga. I think this is great, except for one thing, it could possibly ruin our Amiga's (and the ST's) future. First of all, I can picture people buying it over the Amiga because of the software base (no small reason). Second, I think people will buy it over the Amiga just because of Apple's sterling image. This KILLS me! They designed a computer which LOOKS a lot like the Amiga but falls way short. They advertise that the IIgs has 320×200 (256 colors) and 640×200 (64 colors) with a palette of 4,096 colors. In reality, though, it can only produce 16 & 4 colors in its respective modes on one scan line. But can interrupt the screen for those hefty color totals. As far as sound goes, it holds its own. It has an Ensoniq sound chip with 64K dedicated RAM and 32 digital oscillators. It emulates a the Apple II mainly through ONE chip. Another reason the Amiga blows it away is the fact that the Amiga has all those support chips and runs at about 7.16 Mhz. On the other hand, the IIgs has virtually no support chips (that I know of) and runs at a MAX of about 2.5 Mhz (I believe). This machine obviously falls shy of the Amiga, but alas, people will probably be blinded by Apple's image. TF**