New to the Amiga Scene and thought I would say hello...

[AmigaFan]

I am new to Amiga and am thinking of getting one in the very near future. I was wondering what is a good configuration to start out with? I am mainly looking at it for gaming and would like it to have it's own monitor. What do you recommend for a starter package? How much do systems go for?

Thanks!

Fred

[InTheSand]

Welcome to A.org!

Probably the most flexible configuration would be an A1200 with hard drive and some sort of memory / processor expansion card.

If gaming is your main intended use, an A1200 with a 68030-based card inside it would be your best bet.

Not sure what A1200 availability is like in the US - have a look on eBay for a guide to prices...

Also check out http://www.amigakit.com as they have various bits you might need.

 - Ali

[Colin_Camper]

Hi Fred

Welcome to Amigaland!  :-)

Watch out! It can be addictive..... :getmad:

You could go for this A3000 and make quite a few people jealous.

Most people will concede that the A3000 was the most compatable, most durable and best all round Amiga.  :-D
(Doomy wouldn't agree!)

I agree that the A1200 is the cheapest option in.

[amigagr]

I agree that the A1200 is the cheapest option in.



maybe they aren't as we read a lot of posts lately from guys that have take a500s as a gift in one way or onother :-)
an 1200 cost arround 100 euro or more on amiga e-shops :-o

-edit-
@AmigaFan: a big welcome dude :-)

[InTheSand]

Yeah, A500s can be picked up VERY cheaply! But in terms of playing the later games, an AGA chipset is nice, as is a 68030, hard drive and WHDLoad - and all of these are cheaper to add to a stock A1200 than a stock A500. Or just buy one of each!

As for that A3K - seems clean and a reasonable price. But again, no AGA for those machines, which may give a problem as AmigaFan's use would seem to be primarily for gaming.

 - Ali

[tonyvdb]

Hi and Welcome,

Your best options are to look for an A4000, A1200 or even an A600. The 3000 is a good machine but lacks AGA support and is a bit on the tight side for expantion unless you find a 3000Tower. The 1200 has alot of expantion add ons including many CPU excellorators available. as does the A4000(T) but is harder to find.

[AmigaFan]

Thank you everyone for the input. I will start looking for an A1200 with HDD and more RAM.

I went to the site for AmigaKit and the power supply states only UK. I need to locate a US power supply, correct?

Fred

[amigakit]

Welcome to Amiga.org

Yes sorry- we don't have any US PSU's at the moment.  Something that's being worked at...

[Argus]

Forget about the standard A1200 power supply.  Just make or buy one of Amigakit's PC p/s adaptors and plug that into your A1200.  Then as you expand you won't have to ever worry about power inadequacies (and you'll be able to power external cdrom conveniently). This requires you finding an old PC AT supply, of which there are millions in existence.

@tonyvdb

The 3000 is tight for expansion and the 600 isn't? hmmmm...

I recommend an A3000 over an A1200 if you can find one with at least 8MB of internal zips already installed.  It's a real computer case with built-in vga monitor compatibility, Zorro III busboard for later adding an rtg graphics card, ethernet, fast serial cards, etc. and may be actually cheaper second hand than the A1200.  If you add an rtg graphics card, you may not even miss AGA games at all.  Many of the better ones had rtg versions.

[vk3heg]

It's a real computer case with built-in vga monitor compatibility, Zorro III busboard for later adding an rtg graphics card, ethernet, fast serial cards, etc. and may be actually cheaper second hand than the A1200.  If you add an rtg graphics card, you may not even miss AGA games at all.  Many of the better ones had rtg versions.

hello,

it's been many years since I last had recent & current knowledge of amiga terms. So what is a RTG Graphics card?

---
Stephen

[jahc]

An unexpanded A1200 will run most games. If you want to play 3d games like Breathless, Alien Breed 3D, Nemac IV, etc, you would need at least an 030@50mhz accelerator with some RAM. I'd estimate around 95% of games do not require an accelerator or extra RAM.

An A500 will run quite a lot of games too, but not the ones that rely on the newer AGA gfx chipset as found in the 1200.

[Tripitaka]

Oh No! Waht to buy next :juggler:

You know you're going to whant this:  

Click me .....fwa...ha..ha.

...See, don't say you don't, you know you can't resist. It's a good PSU solution if you plan to expand and as you've been warned...the Amiga is a strange addiction.

Anyway, a big HELLO and WELCOME from the flying monk. :-D

[AmigaFan]

@Argus:

So look for an A3000 with at least 8MB of RAM and what else? How big of a HDD should I get? I have a 21" SVGA monitor, could I use that on the A3000? Can you please give me specs and the best place to buy such a setup?

Thanks!
Fred

[amigagr]

search on ebay for amiga stuff or take a look at amiga.org links for amiga e-shops.
http://www.amiga.org/modules/mylinks/viewcat.php?cid=10

[justthatgood]

Well my first Amiga was an Amiga 4000D. Then I got me an Amiga 2000HD and another Amiga 4000D.  I guess I'm just a fool at times, but I kinda wished I would have had a A1200.  As for my video options, I only have the AGA and a measly Cybervision 64, though I wish I had a Picasso IV.

Yeah, and make sure when you get your setup, you save to be able to get a 68060. It seems like so much requires having at least the '60 accelarator.  I myself want to be able to get some of my demo ideas on the scene.