Hi, I'm a total noob.

[ruello]

I really need a new computer, and I'm sick of PCs. I want to get an Amiga, but im not really sure how to go about it. Is it worth it to wait until 4.0 is done and released, or should I get an upgraded old one?

[Amiduffer]

Hello Ruello.

I hope that you've done some research. You would realize that nothing as far as concerning the technology connected with the name "Amiga" is actually new. Your choices are the classic models based on the 68000 Motorolla architecture, and the "modern" PPC and variants as far as getting the actual hardware. If you've looked at the retailers listed in the company section at the bottom of the page, you'll see that there's very few of them, and only a few offering newer equipment.

If you want to give the operating system a try without investing in the hardware, you can buy Amiga Forever, or download WinUAE and install it on any PC and you'll have a bonifide "Amiga", which will run most of the programs made for it with only a little tweeking.

Don't wait for AOS4.

[mr_yeahman]

Well, lol...
Amiga is oldschool and for people who use them for fun.
Not many people use only amiga, then not pc..
If u are really sick of PC, u should get a Mac..
Mac has a modern tecnogly...
I self only use Amiga for playing old games I liked then I was a kid. same reason for playing supernintendo..

If u really tired on Windows, as many are, try linux on ur pc-hardware..

[motorollin]

It's great that you're looking in to Amigas. Why not list what you do with your PC and we can try to find the best solution for you.

--
moto

[ruello]

I understand that it's a classic system, I own a C64 myself, and I HAVE been doing research. By "new" computer I mean "computer thats different from the failing one that I own and will be reliable," which I hear Amigas are.

And as for what I do with my computer, I play a few games, but not many, and a lot of the games on Amiga (especailly Total Chaos) look really interesting. I spend a lot of time online too, and as long as I can get internet access on a computer I'll be more than happy with it.

What I really want to know is what kind of hardware to look for, I want to be able to upgrade the computer, but I don't want to wind up buying a lot of useless stuff.

[Tomas]

ruello wrote:
I really need a new computer, and I'm sick of PCs. I want to get an Amiga, but im not really sure how to go about it. Is it worth it to wait until 4.0 is done and released, or should I get an upgraded old one?

If you are thinking of replacing your main computer with an amiga, then you better wait. But if you want to have some fun on the side, then a classic amiga should be fine. But i would keep my pc for now.. The main problem on the amiga side is lack of decent browsers and such.

[Tomas]

What I really want to know is what kind of hardware to look for, I want to be able to upgrade the computer, but I don't want to wind up buying a lot of useless stuff.

The a4000 is probably your best bet if you want to upgrade it. The a1200 comes a close second. The a3000 is also a really great computer but it sadly lacks the enhanced graphic chipset "aga"

The a1200 is probably the model that it is easiest to find upgrades for. The only problem there is that it comes in a very small desktop with keyboard and all integrated, which means you wont be able to fit many upgrades unless you put it in a tower. I myself bought a a1200 already in tower and have been happy with it so far.

[redrumloa]

Welcome to Amiga.org!

ruello wrote:
I understand that it's a classic system, I own a C64 myself, and I HAVE been doing research. By "new" computer I mean "computer thats different from the failing one that I own and will be reliable," which I hear Amigas are.

Classic Amigas are NOT more reliable than a C64 ;-) Internet access on an Amiga is difficult and frustrating compared to modern Windows PCs, Linux and Macs.

Gaming on a real Amiga is still more fun than in emulation. If you want one for mainly this reason, go for it. Just keep in mind most internet applications on the Amiga are 5+ years old and some essential software is very difficult to obtain legally.  :-(

[ruello]

Okay, thanks. I was looking at the Amiga 1200 "built to order" system on amigakit.com, but it only comes with 3.9, isn't 4 in some kind of pre-release form? I hear about people using it, and some games/programs say that they need it, but I can't find anything higher than 3.9 anywhere.

I looked at some 4000s too, but the 1200 is easier to find and cheaper, so if I was going to get one I'd probably wind up with that.

[ruello]

And as for internet access being difficult, I tried hooking up my C64 to the internet with hyperlink and stuff like that, so nothing will seem hard now. :lol:

[redrumloa]

OS4 pre-release is not available to common folks. It was only available for a short while bundled with a $1000 PPC "AmigaOne" motherbard. It may be available one day in the future fot the A1200/A3000/A4000, but only if you have a PPC accelerator.

As for internet access on a C64 with Hyperlink, yes Amiga apps would be a step up:-)

Let me ask you this. Is this going to be a hobby system? you *DO* have access to a modern system for serious work right?

[ruello]

I do have access to it, but when it all comes down to it I don't do much serious work on the computer. I realize that a 10-15 year old computer isn't going to be a complete replacement for a newer PC, but to tell you the truth I think I can get done most of the stuff I want to get done on the computer with the programs I've seen availible for Amiga. If I needed to I could always use my family's PC though.

[Tomas]

Okay, thanks. I was looking at the Amiga 1200 "built to order" system on amigakit.com, but it only comes with 3.9, isn't 4 in some kind of pre-release form? I hear about people using it, and some games/programs say that they need it, but I can't find anything higher than 3.9 anywhere.

3.9 is the latest for classic systems. OS4 is currently only running on the newer AmigaONE. A few beta tester have gotten OS4 for their a1200+ppc accelerator though and they plan to release it for it. But who knows when...

I kinda disagree about it being hard to get a amiga onto NET.. Just buy a pcmcia ethernet card from amigakit which comes with drivers.. The amiga already has irc, msn clients and browsers.. The problem is that the browsers are outdated. It will also not be so fast and good looking to surf internet on aga, unless you upgrade to a standard gfx card.

[ruello]

Tomas wrote:

Okay, thanks. I was looking at the Amiga 1200 "built to order" system on amigakit.com, but it only comes with 3.9, isn't 4 in some kind of pre-release form? I hear about people using it, and some games/programs say that they need it, but I can't find anything higher than 3.9 anywhere.

3.9 is the latest for classic systems. OS4 is currently only running on the newer AmigaONE. A few beta tester have gotten OS4 for their a1200+ppc accelerator though and they plan to release it for it. But who knows when...

I kinda disagree about it being hard to get a amiga onto NET.. Just buy a pcmcia ethernet card from amigakit which comes with drivers.. The amiga already has irc, msn clients and browsers.. The problem is that the browsers are outdated. It will also not be so fast and good looking to surf internet on aga, unless you upgrade to a standard gfx card.

Ahhh, I figured outhow to quote :idea:

Anyway, guess I'll stick with 3.9 then since AmigaOnes dont exactly seem like they're easy to find, I've been looking for a couple of days and decided that the people who were lucky enough to get one are going to keep them forever.

[redrumloa]

ruello wrote:
I do have access to it, but when it all comes down to it I don't do much serious work on the computer. I realize that a 10-15 year old computer isn't going to be a complete replacement for a newer PC, but to tell you the truth I think I can get done most of the stuff I want to get done on the computer with the programs I've seen availible for Amiga. If I needed to I could always use my family's PC though.

Perfect response, just making sure you know it has limitations. By all means get yourself an Amiga and enjoy :-) Personally I would stick with a big box like A3000 or A4000. Much more expandable with Zorro 3 slots. My personal favorite is the A3000. A A1200 from Amikit wouldn't be a bad choice either, especially if they have some OEM motherboards. A1200s have their strengths and weaknesses compared to big box Amigas.