Thoughts on the A1Lite and mainstream markets

[Wolfe]

The C3 1 Ghz CPU is not that robust.  A low end G3 (500 Mhz) would be plenty to compete and smoke that turkey.

I owned both.  I was creating a ITX fun box but found I wanted something that will sprint, not poke along so I sold Via 10000v Mobo.  Currently I am using a 500 Mhz iBook reworked to be a desktop.  Small, low power and cool - well as soon as the custom case gets fully completed.

Now, I will be able to have an Amiga fun box ITX machine.  It will cost more than a Via but will be able to be a real computer for all things and not just a specialty piece of electronic junk.

 :-D

[Wolfe]

Unless they can make it cost competive  with the other mini-itx mobos, it's DOA.  OS4's market is way too tiny to support it and A1.  Yes, it could be sold to Linux/BSD guys, but those folks will go the cheapest route.

Initially it will not be as cheap - no way, but that doesn't mean it will be DOA.  The C3 chip is a wimp in comparison to any G4.  Those who want small and performance are not even looking at Via's board.  And the P4 on the MicroATX still sucks more power and generates a lot of "HEAT".  The Linux/BSD guys will go the route that best supports their goals.

[Wolfe]

lempkee wrote:
aargh guys... Amiga one Micro is an Amiga and it runs Amigaos4.. , if i wanted a pc i would have bought that.. for a penny at the mall.

i will buy the a1 micro for sure, and then i will flash it to ya face

 :roflmao:       Yes!  Me to to!  :-P

[Wolfe]

Microsoft has traditionally focused on giving their customers as many features as possible, considering security to be of secondary importance; only recently has security been identified as something important.  My hope is that the company will latch on to this as eagerly as it did to web browser dominance (since it's pretty obvious we'll all be using MS operating systems for a long time to come), making Windows (and other MS programs) as secure as MSIE is dominant.

You might!  But not me - I will give up computing before I go back to a M$ OS again - "EVER"........

[Wolfe]

Dammy

"" So outside of a thousand or so Amiga Inc fans, who is going to buy it?  It's a luxiary item in a time when IT folks are not comfortable spending that type of money on a novelity.  ""

I think there is a market for the A1Lite with or without Amiga OS4.  Small, powerfull and capable of being a full desktop computer solution in a tiny package.  Something a C3 is not really suited for.  Plus an upgradeable CPU.  

""  Run AROS, the sub $100 VIA C3 mobos should be more then powerful enough.  ""

Aros - Not ready for prime time -Yet !

"" Run a firewall, not a problem for sub $100 mobo to do.  Run Apache on Linux, shouldn't be much of a problem.  As I've said previously, the *nix guys wil go for something cheap and make it work nicely.  ""

Yes, but the above is a limited use system.  Try playing a cool game on one!   :-D

[Wolfe]

@Dammy

But can it compete with these ?  That's the big question, if you want a real desktop in a small package.

Cool.  The answer is "NO" if you want to run winblows.  But as far as alternative OS's are concerned, well only time will tell.  Besides, you could put a A1Lite inside one of those cases.

Atleast it's out now for enjoyment, unlike OS4.

True !  But it's not ready for the PPC.   ;-)

I want an alternative to the "PC" offerings.  Just because it's cheaper doesn't mean its the better way to go.  If I have to pay a little more initially to get a new direction for idea's not swallowed up by M$ going, I will do it.  Provided their is some bang for my buck.   :-D

[Wolfe]

Dammy

" Just because it's different and more expensive doesn't mean it's going to be better either."

 True, but is is a change, an opportunity for new ideas or a new direction.

"  As far as M$, I fail to understand this phobia tied into x86 when M$ was for a reasonable period tied to PPC and M$ appears to be porting W2K/XBoX to PPC as well."

X86  -  My boycott of X86 is to help bring about change.

M$  -  Of course it will come to PPC and in the future to any other processor that takes to the market successfully.  "Global domination is the goal"!  If the Chinese put forward their new processor and it is a success M$ will be available their too.

Like the "Borg", M$ intends to assimilate every one possible.

"  Shouldn't you also be running and screaming away from PPC as well if your going to be consistant?"

No, Stand and fight is the right thing to do.  Put my money where my mouth is.  If I gave up that easily I would not still use the "Amiga"..... :-D

[Wolfe]

Dammy

"  But can it compete with these ?  That's the big question, if you want a real desktop in a small package."

After reading the entire reviews of the various mini pc's I have to say "Yes" it can compete.  These are space saving space heaters.  Did you check out the air conditioner requiered to cool the CPU?