#A3000 specs
6 messages in this thread
I heard from two different people who saw the new A3000 that it has two
interesting features.
1) The A3000 has a smaller footprint than the A2000, thus it will take up
less space on your desktop.
2) The unit uses a single slot expansion card that has four expansion slots
on it. (Like a PS/2 model 30-286) The first slot is all Amiga. Slot
two and three are Amiga/IBM bridgecard slots. Slot four is a two bus
video slot.
I love point one, but reducing the number of slots is crazy. I was all set
to upgrade to an A3000 but I already use two IBM slots besides my AT
bridgecard (Which covers a second slot with it's daughter board). On the
good news side the motherboard can be expanded up to 16mb and a controller
is built in so you won't need as many Amiga slots. So what does everyone
think about fewer slots? I think it's a big mistake. I hope they come out
with a tower version soon with more slots.
I think it's a major mistake, also. There should be a least 2 more Amiga
slots. I don't care about IBM slots since I have no need for that mode,
but for those that do need it, they need to put more in. Hmmm…I wonder,
they could always release a larger model, sort of a reverse Mac II, IIci
approach. If we scream loud enough, maybe they might consider it 🙂
The reason why I put this info on this forum was to get reactions and to
see if I was they only one who felt that CBM was making a mistake. Don't
get me wrong, I think a scalled down version with 4 slots, a small
footprint and a low entry price is a good idea. It's just that with the
small version CBM should release at the same time a tower version with more
slots. In regards to the IBM slots they serve two purposes. First those
who need IBM compatibility need the three free IBM slots they now have in
their 2000's for things like a serial port and EGA/VGA graphics. (two
things that should have been built into the AT-Bridgeboard) The other slot
might be used for memory. The second reason for the IBM slots is for
purchasing security. I have nine friends who have bought an Amiga 2000.
Four have bridgeboards, five do not. The four who bought the 2000, bought
it because they liked it's potential and they could also use lotus 1-2-3
and other IBM programs they use at work on their own little Amiga. The
other five people were worried about the Amiga and wavered between a PC
clone or an Amiga. They bought the Amiga because it offered a security
blanket that if the Amiga didn't pan out they could still turn it into a PC
clone. My conclusion is those PC slots are important if we want to see as
many machines sold as possible.
I agree with you. I have only one Amiga slot left open and room for
a half-height card on the PC side now. What I need is more expansion room,
not less.
Steve, how many slots would you have free if you didn't need a memory
board or SCSI controller? You don't need them on this proposed A3000.
As long as they have a video and a SCSI port built in, its not so
bad, at least not for most people. Also there is no need for a memory
expansion card as there is 16MB on board. Don't forget: apple no longer
makes a full-size Mac IIxxx. I was told they dropped the IIx, with the II
dropped quite a while ago. That leaves three slot units. The only thing
that concerns me is drive bays. P.S. To add to the rumor spreading, I was
told at the NCGA Expo that the A3000 would be shown in Germany at the end
of March.