#Amiga Fan Defects
10 messages in this thread
Dear Michael: Two weeks after purchasing a 486dx-33 platform I am joining my
first Amiga forum on Compuserve. I was one of the original fans of Commodore
and bought a 1000 when it first came out after having owned a C-64 for several
years. The 1000 which I still own, quickly became a friend. I nursed it,
expanded it, ran it with a 68010, and recently bought cross-dos 5.0 to see if
the temptation to "switch" would subside. I finally gave up and with less money
than I had spent on it I now own a more powerful system. The Amiga though, sits
faithfully under my new SVGA monitor reminding me that I have abandoned a
friend. Truly it isn't the hardware I miss, but the applications, the fish
disks, the hacking. I ask then in all humility, is there something out there
that would (like Cross Dos and Cross PC) allow me to turn this beast of a
machine into the docile, friendly look of an Amiga? I can certainly envision a
Cross-Amiga that runs Amiga Dos at 33/2 Mhz.
I invite all to provide moral support.
Nope!
Charlie Badalati
APing from Wurselen,Germany
Miguel,
Am I missing something, or are you really trying to compare 1985 Amiga
technology to 1993 clone technology?
If you want to see what the Amiga 'feels' like _today_, go look at an
A1200 and an A4000.
I've been training someone on application software this last week running
Windows on a 486/33 w/SVGA. It still pales comparedd to my 68030/25/MHz
A3000. Granted it is MUCH better than attempting to run windows apps on a
386SX/16, but AmigaDos at 68040/25Mhz it's not.
You can upgrade your A1000 to much of the speed and capability of the
newer machines (sans AGA video) but it would hardly be worth the expense.
The A1000 is, just as you've said, a nice old friend to keep around
because it was just such a pleasure to use.
Although I trust you are correct in your assessment of current Amiga
capability, the sad truth is that the few local Amiga dealers in my area have
either gone out of business or have converted to Apple or PC clone lines for
hardware and few still carry the software. Commodore's emphasis on overseas
marketing has hurt exposure of the machines in the U.S. This has been a valid
criticism of CBM since day 1.
As an engineer with experience in assembly code for both Intel and Motorola
processors, I am familiar with both design's architectures and prefer the
Motorola platform hands down. As a user, though, I perceived (perhaps
incorrectly) that every gadget and accessory for the Amiga cost substantially
more than the comparable one for a clone (i.e. modems, hard drives, monitors
etc.).
I suppose the A4000 and A1200 are exceptional machines. I expect they are not
cheap relative to similar PC and McIntosh systems and I suspect that for video
and audio applications they are top-notch. But when will Commodore take the
public's perception that it is a "great machine for games" and add the "great
for work too" concept which it deserves and needs perhaps more now than ever?.
"I perceived (perhaps incorrectly) that every gadget and accessory
for the Amiga cost substantially more than the comparable one for a
clone (i.e. modems, hard drives, monitors etc.).
I'm sure others will have responded to your observation by the time I
post this, but what the heck… The Amiga uses the same "modems,
hard drives, monitors etc." that clones use. 'nuf said? <g>
CBM blew it way back when in the days when they put their eggs in the
home computer market… maybe the error in judgement was that they
did not forsee how much people would want to have home systems that
were compatible with their office systems… combine that with the
entry of cheap 'clones' and CBM was not the only loser. To their
credit, CBM has created a niche for the Amiga…. one which they will
have to work very hard to keep. Also to their credit, knowing that
they can't change history, they focus on where the market _is_ and
where they feel it can be grown (they are not stupid enough to have
pipe dreams of knocking msdos machines out of the market). Remember,
even the highly successful Apple Macintosh is outsold by msdos boxes
_10_ to 1. BTW, you don't see too many Apple lle's around more… or
hear much from NeXT. So, all in all, in a very fast paced industry…
CBM had has performed pretty well for its stock holders. And that is
their primary objective.
" CBM had has performed pretty well for its stock holders. And that is
their primary objective."
CBM trades in NYSE ticker symbol CBU. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in
1987 pre crash CBU traded in $ 9 to $ 12 range per share. Reached
its high some 2 years ago of about $ 20 and currently trades at about
$ 5 . No splits or special dividends that I am aware of. After six
years you consider that a good investment???
"After six years you consider that a good investment???"
Depends on when you bought, when you sold, and when you repurchased.
Are you kidding? The Amiga uses ALL of the same peripherals that a PC and
MAC can use. And as for the price, you must compare feature per dollar
and the Amiga wins hands down.
-Jonathan
Miguel,
Nope. It isn't just the machine; it is also the operating system. Maybe
a $8000-12000 UNIX workstation but the software is a LOT more expensive.
You might try a UNIX that will run on that machine.
Goin' AP
…..Mark Sterling
Gosh Miguel… You ought to look at some current machines.. The A1000 is
now 8 years old.. It is comparable to an XT chronologically. Don't
compare it with today's PC standards without first looking at the newest
Amiga machines.
-Jonathan