OS 4 hardware

[takemehomegrandma]

I have heard that OS4.X is under powered on Sam 440.

It's indeed a very weak CPU. OS4 can run on it without the OS feeling sluggish though (which is something often pointed out), but that's only because it is a lean OS, not because it's a strong engine under the hood. Your need for a strong engine comes from the *applications*.

On what do you think it should be run?

If you'd like to enjoy media files, browse those little more complex web pages, run legacy 68k applications or other emulated software, compile stuff, render stuff, etc, then you don't want anything less than a real G4. Especially since G4 hardware is so darn cheap and easy to get today.

[takemehomegrandma]

@itix: last time pegasos2 was available at gss data, it was around 850 euro, complete system.

GGS Data were extremely nice to deal with, and I did much business with Gunne for this reason, but they were never competitive in price, especially not on *systems* (due to their high prices on parts), and especially not with Sweden's 25% VAT included (highest in Europe?).

Open Desktop Workstation, $799 (~530 EUR in todays rate):

* Pegasos II with 1GHz G4 processor
* 512MB DDR RAM
* 80GB ATA100 Hard Disk
* Dual-Layer DVD±RW Drive
* ATI Radeon 9250 graphics
* Low Profile Small Footprint Case

Link

The Pegasos2 motherboard with G4 CPU @ 1GHz was AFAIK introduced at $499 (~330 EUR in todays rate). The price dropped slightly over time, and when it reached the end of line, the last Pegasos2+G4 was sold at $399 (~260 EUR).

[takemehomegrandma]

"I believe if the Sam440 could be low cost"

The Sam is already low cost. A new high end PPC system would easily cost around 1000€ and up.

Sam is low cost? Huh?

OK, let's make a comparison on what you can get today if you want a NG system (HW+OS):

Cheapest "G2" class systems (new from dealers, with warranty)

OS4
Cheapest Sam440ep kit at Vesalia (incl. OS4): 700 EUR
Cheapest Sam440flex kit at Vesalia (inlc. OS4): 750 EUR

MorphOS
Cheapest Efika system: Efika kit (MB + *the Official* case, incl. PicoPSU) at directron.com: $170 USD + XGI GFX ($40) + 80GB HDD ($50): 175 EUR
MorphOS 2.4 for this: 150 EUR
Sums up to a total of: 325 EUR

Seems like MorphOS+Efika wins the "G2" class price comparison.


Cheapest G4 class systems (second hand only)

OS4
OS4 for Pegasos 2 at Vesalia: 125 EUR
Second hand Pegasos 2 G4 system: 350-450 EUR
Grand total for OS4 and Pegasos2 system: 475-575 EUR

MorphOS
A second hand Mac Mini: 150-250 EUR
MorphOS 2.4 for this: 150 EUR
Sums up to a total of: 300-400 EUR  

Seems like MorphOS+Mac Mini wins the G4 class price comparison.

Two notes about the Sam:

1) Despite its price, it offers a performance level comparable to common PDA's.
2) You can get *two* complete Mac Mini + MorphOS (registered) systems for the price of one Sam+OS4 system, and *each one* of the former will be *so much more* useful!

And this is today.

Soon there will also be MorphOS for PowerMac G4's, pushing the prices down even more (or increasing performance even more, and specs/expandability).

[takemehomegrandma]

"I believe if the Sam440 could be low cost"

The Sam is already low cost. A new high end PPC system would easily cost around 1000€ and up.

Sam is low cost? Huh?

OK, let's make a comparison on what you can get today if you want a NG system (HW+OS):

Cheapest "G2" class systems (new from dealers, with warranty)

OS4
Cheapest Sam440ep kit at Vesalia (incl. OS4): 700 EUR
Cheapest Sam440flex kit at Vesalia (inlc. OS4): 750 EUR

As additional reference: the Fixstars PowerStation (QuadCore *G5*) is $1250 (~830 EUR), and *even that* is considered expensive for its performance by some...

[takemehomegrandma]

LO! you never cease to amaze me! what a clown!

Feel free to comment what I say instead of descending to pointless name calling.

[takemehomegrandma]

me commenting the crap your still writing since years? no way .... at best, your good for a laugh or 2.

Sorry you don't like my message, but hey, at least I'm glad to be able to amuse you! :-)

But where is the crap?

[takemehomegrandma]

How can they possibly get the price-performance ratio down to the levels Apple are at, when they are selling what, ten thousand times fewer units than Apple?? It's a complete guess, but I reckon for every SAM sold, at least 10,000 Macs ship. That makes a whopping difference that simply can't be made up just by wishing for it.

The Pegasos was never as expensive as the SAM, yet so much more powerful, and they never came close to Apple volumes either.

The Sam price is a result of design decisions, management and business skills.

[takemehomegrandma]

I love the way you comparing the pegII an AOS4 against the MAc and MorphOS.

Yes indeed, only second hand HW is available today for both OS4 and MorphOS if you want G4 class HW, hence I compared the best available options for both systems.
 

And Efika come on that is not much use for anything.  As expensive as the SAM is its still better that that pile of sh1t.

I know perfectly well that the Efika has less controllers, connectors and expandability options than the Sam, but this is the only HW in the "G2" class that MorphOS runs on. And even though its more limited in its specs, it *sure can* be used for lots of things. And it's obviously *not* as expensive as the Sam, it's less than half the price.

Question is though, who would buy any "G2" HW at the cost of an Efika, when you can get a G4 system that completely *crushes it* performance wise, for about the same money...?