The Next-Gen Amiga hardware

[Valan]

I think your missing the point on this.

It was never meant to compete with PC or Mac.

The A1 was seen as a modern machine for only a short time. It is a vehicle to move the community away from the 68K to native PPC.

It is the slowdown in OS4 development that has caused a slowdown in the hardware development.

We all wish the prices were lower but that is the current state of affairs. I am sure Eyetech and Hyperion are the first to hope for lower prices and hence faster sales.

Valan




Ps.
Even with the facilities of a 'modern' computer with Firewire, Bluetooth, USB2, etc; there are very few times when these can be taken advantage of.

For instance my printer speed depends on the print mechanics rather than the data transfer speed and the same with my CD writer.

The card that fits into my camera transfers files at USB1 speeds even when connected to a USB2 device. Bluetooth is only useful if you have a second Bluetooth specific device and the same for Firewire since most have USB1 as well.

[Valan]

@ Mickeymike

It has nothing to do with OS4.

Hard to believe, but OS4 relates directly to the sales of A1 hardware. Therefore there is no point in developing new hardware when there is no Amiga OS suitable to run on it.

Even though Motorola 'don't care' IBM is developing the PPC family to the point were it can compete with Intel and AMD on the desktop later this year.

Valan


PS.
Not sure about this connection, but anyway even with Apples high prices they are selling and gaining  in their targeted markets.

IBM is competing in the server market with the PPC and doing well. Now we are seeing that technology moving down to the desktop as it too moves to 64 bit later this year.

[Valan]

@mikeymike

Please stick to vaguely to the topic of the post.

Anyway,

Ho ho ho. Except that no-one to do with the AmigaOne or OS4 designed the Articia S chipset,

Um, that's why they said it is an 'off the shelf' design.

Apple to change its tune and bring its prices down, which gets it more sales;

Not really realistic as Apple is competing against PC machines and they still they maintain their high price.

Back on topic:
I do not see the future of Amiga hardware as dependant on PPC development. AI have stated that they want a truly hardware independent machine where the same software will run without modification on all AmigaOS compatible CPUs.

As we hear constantly the true pace of development comes from funds which ultimately come from sales.

Valan

[Valan]

@ Mikeymike
The term 'hardware' does not mean CPU solely or graphics cad or chipset. It was not meant to suggest the PPC at all. MaybeI should be more definative and say 'Amiga hardware' or 'marketable Amigax hardware'.

'Hardware development' as in the hardware that has direct relevance to Amiga i.e the Eyetech Amiga range. Eyetech have always stated that they would use 'off the shelf' technology where they could. They are however developing the progress and expansion of thier Amigax hardware range for AI.

'It is the slowdown in OS4 development that has caused a slowdown in the Eyetech Amigax hardware progress development.' Is this better for you to read?

You stated that Apple would lower the price if a competative Amiga pushed them I was observing that they already had an uphill struggle against PCs but they still have thier high prices.


The original post was concerned about the hardware in general rather than just the state of the PPC used in the AmigaOne. So 'Back on topic' refered to comments that talked about the general state rather than talking about specifics of just one chip.

I remember the first stage was always to bring new hardware that used the PPC along with a more modern OS. PPC was chosen since there is already software that utilises it. Later afterOS5.x the Amiga will be more(but not totally) hardware independent.

I like and agree with what has been said by Kurt and Warpiper. We should look beyond the marketers fancy talk and look at the results.

Valan