Crazy idea: a new Amiga withOUT Amiga Inc's blessing?

[ChrisH]

I posted this on AmigaWorld, but I think the people here would be more receptive:

I'm sure this crazy idea must have been suggested before, but we now have all the components needed to create a new Amiga:

- AROS, the open source clone of Amiga OS 3.1 + MUI + RTG & AHI.
- Minimig, the open source FPGA clone of an Amiga 500.

Why not combine both of these, by compiling AROS for 68k, to create a complete Amiga-like hardware/software system? There'd be no ties to Amiga Inc to hold us back

Now sure, OS3.1 running on an A500 isn't exactly cutting edge, but surely it can't be too complicated to add AGA functionality & a 68040 or better processor? Or screw AGA, and just have a custom "gfx-card" in the FPGA for a high-colour hi-res Workbench, to show AROS to it's full potential. With enough interest, more powerful systems could be created later...

And since AROS would be compiled for 68k, it should be possible to run many old Amiga programs, demos & games.

[ChrisH]

I also posted this follow-up:

My idea was that we can have (nearly) full chipset & 68k compatibility with the Amiga-like OS. Then we can run (nearly) all our old Amiga programs, games & demos.

Given it's a crazy idea, I'm not quite sure how it could work, but what about this: Small mobo with two FPGAs, one for the chipset (Minimig), and the other for an emulated 68k. The mobo would provide:
- two SATA ports for a HD & DVD-ROM drive, or go with two IDE ports if that's easier.
- one floppy drive port.
- one slot for memory (with enough lines connected to support 1024 MB of RAM, even if the emu 68k can't handle it yet).
- either some PCI-e ports, or else on-board ethernet. PCI-e ports would be more future proof, and would not need to be supported in software straight away.

That would be about the most basic system I can imagine, that would be good enough to play old Amiga games & demos right away, and eventually to do basic web browsing & email (etc). And without Amiga Inc to screw us again.

Bung it in a small-ish box, and you've got a modern A1200/A4000 equivalent, but without the crappy old unreliable hardware, and without the tons of sticky tape & string that usually holds them together.

[ChrisH]

My post is made under the assumption that "Seamless UAE integration in AROS" is simply not possible, and the fact that the AROS developers refuse (for various reasons) to consider adding 68k emultion like OS4 has.

BTW, if I need to use UAE to run all my (68k) Amiga programs on AROS, then I might as well run WinUAE on Windows.