Loyal to the 68k -- for now

[Dr_Nineman]

Having recently returned to the world of Amigas after a circa ten year hiatus, I am faced with a number of choices with respect to moving on from the classic 68k line of Amigas.  In my humble opinion, the world of Amiga seems realitively rudderless at the moment.  And as much as I would like to move on from a 060/50Mhz processor, I am not finding myself compelled to do so.

In this vein, what practical (software) benefits would an end-user achieve by migrating beyond the 68k processor?  I am not talking about potential capabilities that a faster video card or CPU might offer.  More to the point, has any software been made available for the neo-Amigas (A1, Pegasos, etc.) that could make a difference in the way I use my Amiga day to day?

So far, I am content with a A1200/060.  Are there others with this opinion?

Nineman

[alx]

Video playback is one major task that I'd have thought a 68k CPU would struggle with (I believe that MPlayer is only avaliable on OS4 and MOS as well).  And even audio playback - of course a fast 68k chip can play back MP3s fine, but it'll use up a much higher proportion of CPU power than it would on a faster system.  Also, it Amizilla gets finished, don't expect it to fly on 50Mhz :-P

As for native PPC software - there isn't much yet (although JIT emulation on PPC might beat your processor for raw performance, I'd imagine).  There are some fairly significant projects in the pipeline that will be native PPC though - like RealSoft 3D for OS4.  You can bet that all ports of 3D games will require PPC as well.

[drHirudo]

AmigaOS 4 won't run on 68K processors, never, unless using PearPC.

[bloodline]

drHirudo wrote:
AmigaOS 4 won't run on 68K processors, never, unless using PearPC.

:lol: That would be fun!

[itix]

More to the point, has any software been made available for the neo-Amigas (A1, Pegasos, etc.) that could make a difference in the way I use my Amiga day to day?

I think not. Maybe I wouldnt play OpenTTD on 68k because it wont run too well. You can check what is available for MOS and OS4 and look if there is anything interesting to you.

But after all the point is in new hardware. Faster, cheaper, PCI/AGP slots, USB.

So far, I am content with a A1200/060. Are there others with this opinion?

When I got my Pegasos running I sold my A1200 BPPC/BVision setup soon after. Decision was easy because I couldnt bother with HW banging games or demos and everything I wanted was speed. But something was lost too... I can no longer punish bloody english in Colonization nor listen to exotic module formats using HippoPlayer.

If one is happy with his system I dont see point in upgrading.

[-BobW-]

I was worried about the lack of direct and uncertanty of the amiga world for a long time myself.  Then I thought about how I spend money on computers.  I easly spend $1500 a year on video cards, mobo upgrades and many other upgrades in the PC world.  I usually only get about 2 or 3 years life out of a typical PC.

That made my decision easy.  I ordered an Amiga One.  It could have easly been a Pegasos.  I figure that whatever the outcome, as long as I get a couple years enjoyment out of it then it was money well spent.

I feel a 68k amiga just isn't enough for web browsing, mp3 playing or video.  

[Hattig]

If you are content with what you have, and can do everything you want to do with what you have now, then keep with what you have now.  That goes for many things in life (not beer though! always good to try new beers, then again, the cost of trying is rather lower than the cost of a new Amiga!).

What do you use the computer for, given that you had a long time out, and presumably have a PC or Mac to do most tasks?

[Stefano]

BobW definitely has a point there,

after updating from a A1000 (with sidecar), through a A2000 (with bridgeboard, 8MB, Harddisks and a midi-interface), I spent quite some money on upgrading my A4000. Within 5 years I spent about $5000 on it. (Harddrive, MO-drive, RAM, Maestro-pro Audio card, Cyberstorm MKII with SCSI, SCSI-scanner and ofcourse quite some software). Then I didn't spend much more than $50 a year on it. I was satisfied with the reliability, speed, supported software. I had become a true user, instead of the PC-hardware-buying-junkies all around me.

Only about 2 years ago, I bought my last upgrade. Now I surf on the internet with cable. Seems like one of the last unforfilled desires.

It can play uncompressed audio in studio-quality. So I have no need for MP3 (which it plays fine if I want it to). But  might rather copy something uncompressed to Minidisc to listen to in the car.
MP3 as backgroundmusic in nothing for me. I use the radio or play a cd or even a record.

So that only leaves Video something of a last wish. But do I really need it? It's nice, but not a neccesity. If only the demo of frogger could play a little more then 10seconds, I'd be happy with that.

But I've bought some second hand laptop and a Mac for extra fun and networking. I'm switching them over to Ubuntu-linux now. But even though they are 7 to 8 years newer than my A4000, it's such a drag booting them up, waiting endlessly until I can finally use them. Boring, really. Equally on starting programs. The A4000 comes first. It's just so much more efficient. Even with just my 68060/50.

So my advice: Keep your 68k-Amiga and if you want more of the same, but faster. Buy an A1 or Pegasos as a bonus put them in one network.

[Seiya]

you had to think to amithlon or winuae for cpu intensive program
on amithlon to see a Dvd or Dvix there is only FroggerNG and it's not
a good player...

Mplayer will be great on Amithlon, if it be do...