#A3000 v. A2500
13 messages in this thread
I recently powered-up to the A3000. Given its problems: smaller case,
smaller power-supply, software incompatabilities, no bridge card, hardware
glitches etc., I am considering returning it and powering-down to a
2500/30. Please share your thoughts on this.
Spencer,
What software incompatabilities? Since I've gotten my 3000, I've yet to
go back to the 1.3 OS.
I've seen some incompatabilities but couldn't be happier with 2.0. It's a
brand new ball game.
Oh, sure. There's bound to be some incompatibilities. I'm only using the
version I got with my 3000 and so far only SID and a few others have givin
me any trouble. I tried using Aegis Images the other day and the machine
slowed to a crawl for some reason. But no big deal. I rarely use that
program. And games I could care less about. Not that I don't play them, but
there will always be more games out than I can or should buy:-)
I've only begun to realize all the neat features of 2.0 and would never
go back….
Sadly, Spencer, I'm having the same missgivings… I just have to keep
telling myself "Self, this is the future of the Amiga. This where it's all
going to happen from now on" That is, if there IS a future for the Amiga
<g>.
Spencer: I havr to qualify my last statements… I really do like the
3000. I also like my 2000 (now sadly devoid of its 68030, replaced by a
less expensive AdSpeed). And I consider my A1000 part of the family.
Progress, alas, means change… however subtle, however discomforting.
It is possible to use a bridgeboard in a 3000. I installed an XT in a 3000
over a year ago. Since then I've talked to someone who put the AT board in
there. It's true you have to either put the 5.25" floppy in an external
box, or use a 3.5" drive. The shortage of slots is a problem, but most of
the 3000 owners I know don't have more than one expansion card of any kind
in there. Those are 'specialty' cards like genlocks or the Firecracker. The
most common expansions (Ram & HD) are built into the motherboard. I think
there's a need for a slimline expansion box sized to fit on top of the
3000, and just big enough for a couple of 5.25" drive mechanisms.
-Jim
Yes, the 3000's lack of expansion can be a problem with some power users
but consider this. If you 'Power-Down' to a 2500/30 you will also have to
get a de-interlacer which is extra, the 2500 has nowhere near the 32bit ram
expansion capability built in, and you will not have a true 32bit bus. An
AT Bridgeboard works fine in the 3000, I had one installed in mine until I
sold it with my 2000 system. What hardware glitches are you referring to?
Haven't noticed any.
John
I'm not sure what you want to do with the machine, but I wouldn't trade
my 3000 for a 'big, clunky' 2500. To what incompatabilites do you refer?
What version of 2.0 are you running (to find out, type 'version' at any
shell prompt)? Why do you perceive the smaller case to be a problem?
Vic;
I use both (the 2000/030 gets the most use). The 3000 is small enough that
I treat it like a luggable. Indeed, many more trips with it and I will put
a handle on it!
Just out of curiosity, just what is that size in watts of the 3000 power
supply? Having a 3000 myself, I'm eagerly awaiting the release of an 040
board to add, stock another 8MB of RAM and pop a Toaster in (I'm willing to
cut my case as soon as the 2.0 of the Toaster software comes out.). I
don't see how this could tax the power supply but the most recent AVID
(color covers) had blurps here and there that the 3000 power supply is
"flakey" and may not be able to handle the load of future Toaster expansion
products. Given the history of Commodore and power supplies, who knows. I
know a few people with Toasters in the 3000's had have had no problems at
all so far…
About the only thing I'd add outside of the above is more RAM. Storage is
external for me now anyway…
Dan
Lots of dreams, no money to fullfill them! 🙂
Dan McCoy – via Whap! and saving money doing it too!
Spencer:
The physical data and software incompatibilities have been well known
for quite a while. Depending on what you want to do with the computer,
this may or may not be a problem. Hardware gliches? My 3000 hasn't had
any. Maybe for your purposes you jumped the gun a little.
Tim
Given my choice of upgrading to either an accelerated A2000 (If I did this
I'd more likely get a faster accelerator than the A2500/30 has…) or an
A3000, I think I'd be more likely to go for the 3000. The smaller case is
a plus, IMHO, even though it means fewer slots. The bridge card I can live
without (but people have and *do* use them on A3000's). The only reason I
can think of to prefer the accelerated A2000 is that you can get an even
faster machine with third party accelerators (for now, anyway) and the
Toaster fits in the A2000 case. If I needed either of those things then
the accelerated A2000 is the better pick, otherwise I'd prefer an A3000.
(And will probably be getting one in a few months…)
As for hardware glitches, I'm not aware of any. And as far as software
incompatibilities, most such incompatibilities are games, and can still
generally be run by booting 1.3 instead of 2.0. (Note that these game
manufacturers will have to upgrade to 2.0 support soon anyway, or else they
won't be working on a lot of machines soon…) The other incompatibilities
are usually due to the 68030 itself, and you'd have the same problems with
an accelerated A2000.
–>Steve Bennett