The X1000 is completely new. While MorphOS focuses on supporting hardware that is primarily second hand, in the future the majority of
the platforms available to buy to run AmigaOS4 will be brand new.
The PPC in the X1000 represents the last gasp of the arch outside of seriously niche markets PPC currently resides in. The only other general purpose PPC chip that even has the potential to level peg it will likely be the e5500 and that won't be available for a while.
I also have to say this: It assumes that the X1000 will be a commercial success, or at least pay for itself and in this I have I to say I'd be more than a little concerned.
If the X1000 flops, it is likely that it will spell the end of the line for OS4.
Also, featuring a more modern expansion bus the X1000 will be able to utilize expansion cards that won't be available to MorphOS users as well as more modern video cards. For people willing to pay the premium, this system will offer features unavailable elsewhere.
Two words: Driver support.
Without it, all the "potential" is just talk.
This of course assumes that the board don't turn out to be another A1 or early model Sam.
Finally, as has been pointed out, we are now poised to move from hardware that is entirely adequate to new systems that have more power than we need.
I've seen very little evidence to show a need in terms of hardware that requires more than what the Sam can deliver when equipped with a graphics card. Certainly there isn't much software that demands more.
If my past experience with other systems over more than 30 years is any indication, once we have this hardware we'll find applications for the extra power.
That assumes a lot. Has there really been much of anything released for either MorphOS or OS4 that really take full advantage of the extra resources available? I don't think so. Thanks to all the fighting, the vast majority of developers left the scene a long, long time ago.
