Amiga OS 3.5 vs 3.9

Ok. I want to update my operating system.  I can spend  about $40USD for Os 3.9 or approximately $20USD for OS 3.5.  What does OS 3.9 give you that makes it so much better than OS 3.5 that I would want to spend almost twice as much for it?

[Nick]

I never really liked 3.5. Just didn`t feel right. Its basically 3.1 with some extras. Not great.
The install procedure is very flaky. Install 3.1 (included) then install 3.5 over the top of it. 3.9
includes all the internet stuff (though i don`t use it), which can be useful to some people. I like
Amibar and look forward to the new version with OS4. I`m not sure if 3.5 can create an emergency FD.
A FD which makes the system boot from that disk + the OS3.9 CD. VERY useful in some times of
emergency. The GUI is a bit better (I think). All of the prefs programs use the new system which can
be texture mapped. Not nearly as much as OS4, but it can be done a bit. For power systems that can
be cool. Basically OS3.9 rules! Theres much more, but I can`t think right now. I`ve just got up :-)

[Varthall]

Nick wrote:
3.9 includes all the internet stuff (though i don`t use it), which can be useful to some people.

I've never seen 3.5/3.9 in action, but I've read some reviews of both. 3.5 includes some internet tools too, but the included miami stack is in demo form (1 hour time demo), while AFAIK 3.9 contains a full version of Genesis.  

 I`m not sure if 3.5 can create an emergency FD.
A FD which makes the system boot from that disk + the OS3.9 CD. VERY useful in some times of
emergency.

The emergency FD exists in 3.5, too, but I don't know if it's the same as the 3.9 one.

Varthall

[DaveP]

3.9 has slightly slower ow refresh and icon refresh
( at least for me ).

[Karlos]

I pre ordered 3.5 originally and have been very happy with it overall.

I missed 3.9, I was never too sure what advantage it would give me apart from the warm glow of supporting the Amiga market. Too broke at the time, but now I can get it, I'm waiting to see if 4.0 will become available for BlizzPPC based machines (no comments please, that topic done to death).

[pjhutch]

If upgrading, go for OS 3.9, the requirements are the same though: 68020, KS 3.1, 4Mb Ram, CDROM etc

OS3.9 has full Internet tools: Genesis, Mail, AWeb and more multimedia tools, latest HP Printer drivers, updated FFS system, CD ROM system etc

Much better than 3.1 ever was.

[blobrana]

I currently use OS 3.9 on my WinUAE set up. It`s superb with the p96 setup i have...
But i use a `customised` OS3.1 setup on my 040 Amiga... i found that most of the features of os3.9 can be a drag to the overall performance...and that most can be replaced with third party software...

as for 0s3.5 , why? :-D

[PPC]

Buy 3.9, like other ppl said here 3.5 is 3.1 with some extra's.

and do not forget to install boingbag 1+2 for os 3.9 it brings some nice new functionality for your miggy.

[MikesterBrau]

  I have both and use both and like them for different reasons, you won't go wrong either way.  If you get OS 3.5 you can save some money now and maybe get 3.9 but I think regardless you will eventually get 3.9 so you might just bite the bullet now...  Get one though because you will notice all sorts of little goodies and a few pieces of software do require at least 3.5 ...

[vpamicue]

I have used both OS3.9 on my 060 seems a little faster. It is far more stable with less problems. Some great added features some not so great but this based on my personal demands and the things I do not like are gone.
Internet stuff is great both have AWeb (no GPL and program can DL'd and installed with no limit. comes with mail but in fact most would use Yam or Simple Mail.. As far as the stack goes Yes 3.9 has Genises but with high speed in North America it is usless as all High Speed ISP's here seem to use DHCP which is not supported by Denises and has never been addressed by H&P in upgrades. Miami and Miami DX do have support for DHCP. But I am assuming if you all ready go on line with your  Amiga you already have a full stack so stay with that.

Hey I use 3.9 and it is a very good operating system.
I advise anyone who has still got 3.1 to go get 3.9 installed on their machines. It makes a huge difference it really does.

[iamaboringperson]

i like 3.5,

never used 3.9, but 3.9 seems to be just a whole bunch of addons for 3.5
& i know some people here say that 3.5 is just a bunch of addons for 3.1, but to me it really does seem like more

the diff. between 3.5 & 3.9 is a bit like IMO, the difference between ms-win. 98 & win ME

it just has a whole bunch of extra programs thrown in
3.5 makes a much bigger difference from 3.1, than does 3.9 from 3.5