It's true! Apple go x86!!!! :-o

[joemango]

All this really means is cheaper, faster, cooler (temperature) macs.  I mean who really cares what machine-level code your computer runs, unless you're coding assembly - and if you are, get a life.  This way Apple doesn't have to develop entire motherboards, just firmware and OS, and they can get motherboards from any number of sources, with no manufacturing ramp-up penalty like Redhouse was talking about in his interview.

x86 Macs will still look cool and they will still have the same OS running on them.  Unless you are a developer, there is no downside.  Even then - can you complain about a better market share?

Besides, there is much more competition in the x86 arena than there ever was in the PPC world.  Intel, AMD, VIA all make x86 CPU's.  I doubt Jobs was stupid enough to sign an exclusivity agreement with Intel, so they can choose their sources.  Does IBM have a quad-core CPU in the works?  Don't think so.

Before you go calling me a fanboy, I must qualify that I was  all Amiga right up to 94 (still have my a3000) when I got my first tech job and have never paid for an Intel processor once since then.  I prefer AMD but will buy what gives more bang for the buck (which happens to be AMD64 right now).

Sorry if you bought an A1, but did any of you ever think that you would meet anyone in your neighborhood or workplace who even knew what it was?

[joemango]

HotRod wrote:
@joemango

If I buy a PC everybody will know what it is. If I buy a Mac most people will know what it is but some might think that less of me because of that.

If I buy an A1 noone will know what it's except for a few. Do I care? No I don't. I use it because I like it. For those who like to be lead like sheeps doing what "everybody else" does, go ahead but don't talk down those who got the brains to make up their own mind.

Hey, I'm not trying to insult anyone, I'm pointing out the reality of the situation.  If you want to keep up your hobby and keep banging your head against your A1 while I can buy new software that does new things and enjoy tech support on it, go ahead.  It's your choice.  I didn't buy an A1 for a number of reasons:

-The OS is still Beta, no matter how cool it is.
-$400-$800 (US$) for an under-powered motherboard with glitches.
-Support (and useful software) is practically non-existent.
-No upgrade path.  I don't want another expensive monitor stand.

I run a WindozeXP PC and an OSX(panther)G4 on my desk at work, and they both do a nice job.  At home, I own a G3 Mac with OSX 10.3 and 3 AMD-based PC's, one an Athlon64 on which I run Windows x64. I would LOVE to put MacOSX on it eventually. Hell, I can upgrade that Athlon64 machine to a dual core without even changing my motherboard or RAM.  Yeah, it's an x86- but I don't have a car that runs on hydrogen, so why should I have a computer that is hard to get parts or supplies for?  

I have enough trouble finding time to do my audio work after hours.  I don't need the hassle of trying to get a non-standard hardware platform to do what I need just because it's cool or underground.  Amiga was great when it was something I could go to the store and buy.  Now it's a pursuit that requires dedication and extreme amounts of  passion, and I just don't have time to tinker.  Building my own PC systems is more than enough tinkering for me.

Amiga is a hobby.  Alan Redhouse said it himself.  Enjoy your hobby of fiddling with your computer and OS just to get it to work while I enjoy my hobby of recording and mastering high-quality multi-track audio without pulling my hair out or wondering whether my next upgrade is going to eat an entire paycheck.

[joemango]

Tripitaka wrote:
If only Amiga OS5 ran on top of DE, being so easily ported (DE that is:-D ) we could use pratically any hardware. I seem to recall something along these lines in (the now defunct.)"Digital" magazine with someone from Tao Systems telling us how "Elate" (on which DE was based), could be ported in a couple of weeks by a single programmer. This was all before KMOS of course :-o , perhaps OS5 will still end up on X86 as well, who knows, I don't.. :-? ...BUT I STILL DON'T LIKE MAC'S  :pissed: (I do like some Mac software however :-P ).

Just to add a little twist to the story, we should have Elbox's Dragon 1200 COLDFIRE solution on sale by the end of the month, I wait, I drool.....but most of all...I PRAY :lol:

Have you ever spent more than an hour on an OSX mac?  The shell is Unix BASH, which IMHO is more flexible than any PC or even the CLI.  It really is a very nice system, and reminds me of the Amiga a lot.  Give it a chance.