Will there every be another computer like the amiga?

[haywirepc]

I was wondering, with the multitude of people turning the ps3 into a full computer and many other things going on in the world of technology, gaming and entertainment...
 
Will there ever be a computer like the amiga again?

What if some company marketed an inexpensive pc/console combo that could hook into any tv or monitor, and was perhaps a bit light on processor but heavy on custom chips or a great os...
 
What if someone marketed a linux based small pc/games console with a customized linux opensource modded out the wazoo os, would that interest anyone?
 
What if that computer could run dos, windows, linux and amiga games and programs, would that be of interst to people today if it was inexpensive enough and had the right kind of case/packaging? I am thinking of an all in one pc/console like the 500 or 1200...  
 
What if it had some kind of equivelant of custom chips, or because it was mass produced and programmers could talk right to hardware again, would that interest more people?
 
Would it catch on in todays market? Seems to me that there has to be room for another platform other than wintel pcs and macintel machines...
 
Is there room in the market in todays times for such a computer/entertainment console? What do you think?

Steven

[haywirepc]

I see your point about windows and I have faced the same resistance everytime someone calls me. Being the nerd in your family/neighborhood...
 
People call me or ask me for computer help all the time. My standard answer to most problems is "install linux." because most often its spyware, viruses or related problems. They don't want to hear that, your right they want windows.
 
What if it ran windows on a vpc that could be easily rebooted if infected?
 
In other words, this dream amigalike console entertain system would have compiz, with one one the 4 sides of the cube being windows... Would that satisfy the masses and make people want to use our ficticious pc?
 
Steven

[haywirepc]

Yes I fear you may be right... Remember "Back in the day" when there were tons of computers to pick from, and everyone argued why their choice was superior?

Because of the x86 intel and amd dominance, that type of competition seems long gone, as evidenced by mac's switch to intel processors.
 
Does anyone else miss that time when there were lots of different computers, using lots of different processors, operating systems and
enviorments? I sure do...

Somehow, I think the market is still ready for something different, but I think the focus has now shifted away from hardware and one to software.
 
Just think about x86 now. You can run windows.. Dos like freedos if your a little retro nuts... Mac,linux, aros, haiku and a few others that are gaining ground.
 
To me, its as if the diversity has left the hardware and entered the purely software arena, as hardware is so cheap to get if you go mainstream many have just opted to produce different software.
 
Is software the new diversity that used to be different hardware platforms? Is everyone just forced to use x86 now? what do you think?

Steven

[haywirepc]

"If that's your answer to every computer problem it's a wonder anyone keeps calling you. I can lock down a Windows machine in five minutes, spend five more minutes educating the user, and that's the end of it. That locked down machine will be just as usable to the customer as it was when I started, so no, it doesn't involve deleting their user account "
 
No I generally do fix their problems, but I always suggest linux because its rock solid, harder to break and no spyware/malware/adware problems most of the time...
 
Steven

[haywirepc]

I know there is a bounty for the first step in getting smp going on aros.
 
I think most devs want to get the system more bug fixes and get to total 3.1 api compatibility, THEN add smp and other features that would step away from the 3.1 set. Remember the goal was a free open source amiga os3.1 clone. Once that goal is reached, I'm sure they will advance and add more things not possible or envisioned in os3.1.
 
I think annubis was agreat idea and I hope they get somewhere with it.
I'd run it, especially if it could run linux and amiga os apps, and being based on linux would probably run many windows apps with wine.
 
Steven