#System Info
13 messages in this thread
Hello! I'm in the process of choosing a new computer. I currently own a CoCo 3
and use OS-9. I really want to stick to a Motorola system, and therefore my
choices are Amiga, Atari, and Macintosh. The Mac II seems kinda pricey at
$5500, so I'm left with an Amiga or an ST. I've heard that the ST's are a dying
breed so I'm checking into an Amiga system the most. Anyone have any inside
info for me? How is the software market for this machine? Are there any good
CAD programs? How about the operating system? Would it be much to relearn from
a UNIX based OS-9 or OS-68k system? Could I get OS-68k for the Amiga? I know I
could get it for the ST but at $600 it's a bit steep. What I'm really looking
for is a programmers view of the A500 or A2000. Any replies wouldbe
appreciated!
A prospective AmigaUser,
Tony Nowakowski (71465,133)
Tony,
I used to program the CoCo1 (with the chicklet keys!). The 6809 is a great
CPU, but you will love the 68000.
The Amiga OS is a little tougher than most to learn, but you will love the
multitasking capabilities (at least, I do).
For fast graphics, you can't beat the Amiga. The market is not as
potentially lucrative as it is for the Mac II, but then getting into the Mac II
market is much more expensive. The Amiga market is friendly; there is a lot of
cooperation between companies (with a few exceptions) because we all want to
see the Amiga succeed. The Mac II market is pure cutthroat.
I won't even comment on the Atari; you should be getting some choice comments
about it soon. 8) —Mike
Mike,
Thanks for the reply. I've heard a lot of negative comments on the
Atari since I started asking about it. I think I'm sold on the A500. The only
reason I wouldn't get it is if I couldn't hook up a hard drive to it; but I
heard I could, so I guess it's a definate purchase. I've also heard that you
could install an accelerator board with a 68020 for increased computing power,
and that sounds real nice. All I must do now is find someplace to buy it. The
best price I've gotten so far is $979 for the A500, 1084 monitor, and 1010
external drive. Do you think that would be the best price I'll find? Thanks
again!
Tony
Tony,
I'm saving up for a 68020 accelerator board now. I don't know if any are
available for the A500.
I don't know the going price for the A500. Check out the mail-order ads in
the back of AmigaWorld & Amazing Computing. —Mike
I am going to stick my two cents in and say DON'T CHECK OUT THE MAIL ORDER ads
in the back of AmigaWorld. Find a local, hopefully competent, dealer and get
it there. Mail order is ok for some things, but unless you have no fear of
getting a DOA machine, of getting little or no support, or not getting answers
in a timely manner, buy it locally. Remember, you get what you pay for and you
pay for what you get – one way or the other.
– Nelson
(Not affiliated with any dealer in any way.)
nelson,
I completely agree! I was only pointing him to the ads to get an idea of a
rock-bottom price.
Mail-order is great for software, or hardware if you know exactly what you
need and how to install it. Otherwise, stick with a local dealer (if you can).
—Mike
Mike,
I disagree that "mail-order is great for software, or hardware if you know
exactly what you need and how to install it". If you have a good local dealer,
support him! Even for those products that you KNOW that you'll never need
support for. Why? Because it's important to you that that dealer stay in
business, for the times that you may need to call on him for support. It's a
bit like insurance – it's worth a couple of extra $$$. The dealer needs your
business for survival, so he can be there when you need him. I really don't
advocate buying mail-order for anything, unless you don't have a good dealer
that's worth supporting.
BTW, this is entirely my personal opinion. I have no connection or interest in
any retail computer business.
..Bob
Bob,
Usually a person on a tight budget is willing to forego dealer support
knowing that it is one, a risk if something is not right, and two, that extra
time may be required to get the thing working.
One extreme is software. If you know you want it, I'd say buy it as cheap
as possible (so long as it's ->purchased<-). The other extreme is a hard
drive, especially when purchased in pieces. Hard drive installation seems to
give most people (including myself) trouble. —Mike
Mike,
My point in supporting buying that software package from the dealer rather
than from mail-order is that it is worth it for that dealer be there when you
are ready to purchase that hard disk system. By paying a couple of $$$ more
for the software now, you are helping to insure that the dealer will be able to
stay in business and consequently exist when you REALLY do need him/her. They
(the good dealers) are much too important to this business to bypass for a
couple of $$$ in savings.
Of course, the less-than-good dealers — well that's another story
entirely.
..Bob
Bob,
Just my 2 cents worth on supporting your local dealer…I fully agree,
even thou it may cost a bit more…the end result is well justified when dealer
support is needed. And anyone who works on computers as much as I do,
definately needs dealer support.
I can't think of the number of times my dealer has gone out of his way
to get me some software and/or hardware that I needed right now…not several
weeks from now.
Don
I had an ST for a year and sold it. I'm very happy that I did. There are a
few things I miss here and there (which I make a point of flaunting over here,
grin) but overall the Amiga is far superior. Most importantly (forget all the
technical advantages, which are very considerable) Commodore is working on the
operating system, supporting the computer through advertising (some) and other
promotions. Their small effort is LIGHT YEARS ahead of Atari's NEGATIVE effort
(by that I mean promotion of video games, lies, obnoxious corporate
representatives that try to get you censored on national networks, etc.)
Ok Henry, I'll bite… "obnoxious corporate representatives that try to get you
censored on national networks…" sounds like there's a story in there
somewhere 8) What the scoop? why would someone want to have *you* gagged <ahem
8) > ?
– Keith
There is a place somewhere in national telecommunications-land where Atari is
present as a "corporate entity." Now, if you go into that place and leave any
critical message about Atari whatsoever, the message used to get deleted. Now
it gets shuffled around and moved 3 times, to make it impossible to find and to
water down the effect of the message considerably. (the message system is
different from here.)
If you keep such behavior up you will receive what I consider "nastygrams"
from the PR Rep that runs the place. He says basically to knock it off. PUsh
it further, and you can involve alot of people.
What's particularly unfortunate is that some of the SYSOP's and management of
the telecommunications company don't agree with what Atari does. But, Atari
attracts alot of people there by its presence. Atari says "We'll leave." That
of course, puts everyone in a tense and uncomfortable situation. Before you
know it, tempers flare, heated words are exchanged.
I've been through it. It's very unpleasant. CIS is far more professional.