Classic HW, SAM440 or EFIKA ?

[Palm]

Are there anyone here who has tried out the SAM440 w/OS4.x ?
Is it any good in practical use ?

How is it to emulate 68k in OS4.x on a SAM440 (with UAE?) and watch demos and play games ? Will it work "properly" (as in "good enough") ?

I really like the benefits of new HW (more stable probably) which is faster and give nice speed enhancements to everyday desktop-amiga usage (browsing internet, playing mods etc, maybe some RTG gaming etc), but losing classic compatibility is a downer.

Also, what is the best option: EFIKA+MorphOS or SAM440+OS4.1 ?
(if you count out the price issue, what is best ?)


Any experiences ?

[Palm]

Yeah, I saw that MOS would run on macmini g4´s. However, I am wondering if this will be released anywhere within my lifetime (no, I am not 80). But I do know that after being an amiga enthusiast since 1985, that things thend to drag out in terms of time. 1 month can easily be 5 years without anyone lifting an eyebrow

I did see the presentationvideo made, that MOS would run on any of the PPC mac minis (as they are mostly the same inside). That is good news, though. But, how comoatible will it be ? Will it have all the drivers...audio, video, usb, ata etc ?

I would love to get a old G4 mini and try it out. Is it possible to test this ? Getting a used G4 mini would be easy.

If I get one tomorrow, how long should I expect to wait before I can test it ? (beta?)

Espen

[Palm]

Just gotta say thank you to all who replied to my original post. It is good to see that I am not the only one who has problems making up my mind.

For me, I am dragged between sticking to my old classic and being a good deciple or moving on to newer hw. It is easy to be stuck in the past, but i must admit that the feeling of REAL amiga HW makes me feel good....real good. But, using it makes me feel less good as my demands to speed and functionality has increased during the past decade or so after using OSX and "the-os-we-don't-speak-of" ;-)

For me, it is important to have a platform that has a decent networking functionality and has support for a good browser. Then I need the speed to be able to multitask. I also would like good IO functions as USB and stuff. Most of this IS possible on classic HW even on plain 40Mhz 040, i know, but I am not too happy with the fact that I am stuck on OS3.9 :-(   Goin to OS4.1 cost me a bunch if I want to get new HW -- so I am now at the crossroad and trying to decide for:

1. SAM440 + Amiga OS4.x
2. EFIKA + MOS
3. PEG2 + MOS
4. ClassicHW with PPC + Amiga OS4.x
5. Mac Mini G4 + MOS

I must say that it is tempting to buy SAM, but it cost alot.
EFIKA for me is not an option. Too funky formfactor, and worst performance than SAM.
Peg2 ...well...the card has been around for a while, so I don't want it :-) ..call me crazy, but I don't want it
Classic is ....well...classic.....expensive...flaky...yet cool.

I am most exited over MOS+MAC because

a) Small formfactor. Already inside a case and looks PRETTY!
b) cheap to get them used (halv the price of a SAM board).


I would like to start a party, called "The Leaky MOS - party" which goal is to try to get a leaked MOS4MAC ;-)


Come join :-))))


//Espen

[Palm]

Yeah, I would very much like to. Even though the cost definitely digs a big hole in the pocket, I would get it ASAP.... IF, I could. But it is not to be found. Waiting for the next batch to arrive, but as in most cases, promises of new batches in dec 2008 is probably not true. Delays is something we all know is commin in the amiga community, so even though acube claims dec2008 to be the date, I must admit that I do not belie it :-)

So a macminiG4 version of MOS is something I would go for. unless I find 500 euros in a pocket that I had forgotten about

OS4 is defintely MUCH cooler than MOS -- maybe not technically, but it is Amiga. And I would very much prefer AOS before MOS -- just because it is exactly that, Amiga
I am loyal to the brand, even though MOS might be better or more compatible or whatever.

If someone can sell me a SAM440, please contact me PM and I can PayPal the cash.


//Espen

[Palm]

DUDE...not you got me all unsecure again :-)))

Ok, I will look into efika again, then I can live with that for a while before MOS for minis come out, or SAM comes out in a new and/or cheaper version :-)

Ok. Google efika...here we go


BTW: Is the EFIKA OPEN CLIENT just a cased EFIKA 5200B mobo ?

ALSO: Is the Peg mobos "dead" as in totally discontinued ? which means EFIKA is the "new" mobo in the range, taking over for the peg2 ? (cheaper, yet less specced) ??


Espen

[Palm]

Hello. yeah, I for sure am biased too when i comes to using the AOS. And you are correct, the SAM *IS* available (althought sold out...) and to be totally honest, paying 500 euros TODAY to get a running AOS4.x system, is better than waiting for a OS that is not yet possible to buy for the macmini

Do you know if the dec2008 date at acube is to be trusted, or have they been known for delays in the past ?

SAM440 would make a nice xmas gift for myself


Espen

[Palm]

I am afraid a $99 deal on the efika ended in 2007 :-)

Now it costs lik 375 or something (with case i believe).

A $99 efika would be awesome, as this is SO cheap, that I would buy it even if it is not ultracool (hardware-wise).


Espen

[Palm]

Now, after all this talk. I am again in total dispair


1. Mac Mini w/MOS: cool, but unavailable at the moment.
2. Efika + MOS:    Not quite powerful enough, imho.
3. Peg2 + MOS:     "old" HW ....naaaahhh..
4. SAM440+AOS4:    Available, yet indeed expensive.


I am again back in the thinkingbox, but I must say SAM is on my mind alot

Let's have a poll. Which one would YOU go for ?
1,2,3 or 4 ?


Espen

[Palm]

On acube it is definitely $99, but thanks for the tip on the other webpage. I will order one from there definitely for the cheap $99 (exchangerate from USD->NOK is dead-cheap these days).

I think I will go for a EFIKA solution, and wait for

a) SAM to be "better"/faster / cheaper
and
b) MacMIni port to come out :-)

I still ahte NOT to be able to run AOS, but I do know that MOS will give me more or less the same satisfaction. I just feel ashamed to to use AOS ... hehe.  Almost like i am unfaithful by using MOS and enjoying it :-)


Espen

[Palm]

I plan to order the Efika now, as it is dead-cheap. I will get a kolleague in the US office to receive it, then he might be able to send it to my home country. That probably saves me some cash :-) He can then send it as a "gift" and I don't have to pay tax/toll.

I also ordered a pico psu 60W. I guess 60W will be more than enough, as it seems that efika w/hdd + gfxcard never even exceeds 10W consumption.

I will SO have a SAM someday too, but at the moment I am going for efika because it is cheap, available and the DIY casing is cool :-)

[Palm]

Now, if the guys at the Directron can ever answer my request on sending me a board, I would love to buy it

Getting one over to norway isn't that easy, it seems, because they don't send abroad unless you manually wire transfer cash to them. Plus they charge alot to ship it. And when it comes to norway, I have to pay tax for it...that sucks. it is gonna cost me a fortune :-)

Are there any friendly enthusiast in the usa who can help me out and buy one, and mail it to me labeled as "gift" in the customspaper so that I can get it over here easy and without the gigantic taxes ? Of course, I pay the cost of the board+shipping etc.

Or maybe trade with some of my Amiga HW which I am about to sell ? here is a list. I plan to put it all to ebay as soon as i make this list complete... I have lots more at home which I wanna add. here is a preview:

cD32 SETUP:
-----------
1 x cd32 FMV Module      http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=488
2 x cd32         http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=32
(no PSU's, so I do not know their state. They look nice, though)
2 x unused cd32 Competition Pro Controllers


A4000 SETUP:
------------
1 x A4000 32MB kick 3.1      http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=30
1 x A4000 Orig kbd without any bad yellowing
1 x new style amiga mouse
1 x Elbox tower         http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=1326
1 x Mediator board:      http://www.vesalia.de/e_mediator4000d.htm
(needs mediator enabler to use the pci slots. Zorro slots work natively)
1 x Lyra PS2 KBD Adapter
1 x Mroocheck PS2 Mouse Adapter
1 x WarpEngine 040-40:      http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=257
(card has XC68040RC40M CPU onboard on socket + some 2 x SIMM memory)
1 x CV643D-Scandoubler:      http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=447
(Phase5 version)    
1 x AD516 Sunrize R2.1      http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=1292
1 x Algor USB:         http://www.e3b.de/usb/main_algor_e.html
1 x Algor Norwaymodule:      http://www.vesalia.de/e_norway.htm
(10mbit network module addon card for Algor)
1 x VLAB 1.3:         http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=301
1 x Apollo 4060 4060.      http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=217
(card does not boot. Seems like MACH is 66Mhz (written 66 on mach). Xtal is 66Mhz)
(card has XC68060RC50A CPU onboard on socket)


A1200 SETUP:
------------
1 x a1200 w/kick3.1 plain + internal floppy intact.
1 x internal (yes) SlimLine CD drive mounted inside.
1 x Dataflyer SCSI+:      http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=1176
1 x surf squirrel:      http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=1202
1 x pcmcia nic a1200
1 x gvp a1230 030 40MHZ:   http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=131


DIV:
----
1 x Internal Zipdrive in A4000 tower
1 x Internal Travan SCSI Stramer in A4000 tower
1 x original OS3.9 CD
1 x External Amiga floppy (think it's a 1,76 Drive. Blue ejectbutton i think)
1 x Rocgen Genlock:      http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=436
1 x Alcotini Stereo Sampler for parallell port. Insanely good quality!


I prefer to sell as much as possible intact. If someone wanna buy before I put on ebay and give me a nice price, I will happily sell.

My goal is to finance EFIKA motherboard+case and a MiniMig with the cash ;-)