X1000 Nemo Rev. 2 Motherboard in Production

[Dandy]

I'm getting pretty tired by people who call other people haters just because they have no interest in a computer that's uber expensive and not a real Amiga anyways (no matter how many boingballs it comes with). It's just a generic PPC computer with boingball stickers and an Amiga-like OS, it has nothing to offer that other computers can't do (unlike the real Amiga when it came out).

I'm truly sorry for you! Does that hurt very much?

There are much cheaper and better Amiga-like options available.

Then stop whining, get one of those instead and be happy.

[Kesa]

@Dandy. What's up with your car? Can i have it?

[Dandy]

@Dandy.

What's up with your car? Can i have it?

If you're referring to my avatar with this question I have to disappoint you:
This is NOT my car (although really I wish it was).
It's my employers (Ford) car.
I just was one of the very few who got a chance to drive it on our testing track back in September 2005.
The avatar shows me just after leaving the GT - with a really BIG grin on my face...

Believe me:
Just flying is better...

[AmigaNG]

Can you explain why you think that?

Because I believe But also because of some of details I've read in Amiga Future, because there does general feel that there is a lot more interest in this system than say the Sam systems, because I have talked too and seen a lot of users who have not say yet got an OS4 system (like myself) really consider getting this one, and because hardware wise it gives OS4 a much better future than being stuck on old Amigas or old Macs.

"It's almost 25 years since Commodore released the A1000 model that launched the line in the summer of 1985, and with the launch of the X1000 we will usher in a new beginning for the AmigaOS platform. Just as Commodore did with the A1000, we're aiming at the high-end first, with a powerful desktop computer aimed at the professional and serious hobbyist markets"

I see no problem their.


"The launch of the A1000 offered something new, and the X1000 will do the same."

How many other computers features a Xmos chip, Xorro Expansion Slot, and a Dual Core PA6T-1682M PPC 64Bit 2Ghz processor?

"the X1000 will once more make the AmigaOS platform the best choice for truly creative and unique applications. it is this return of AmigaOS to the high-end that truly ushers in a new beginning."

Hopeful we will see something unique with the Xmos chip and the power of the X1000 should be enough for any type of demanding app like Blender or Hollywood so basically hardware wont be the problem, it will be all software getting better GFX drives, making the OS Dual Core and writing the apps to take full advantage of the hardware is going to be the difficult part.

[persia]

@AmigaNG

You are right, there are a small core group that say "price/performance ratios be d###ed, we're getting this."  There's anther group that says, "show us something useful with XMOS and we'll buy."  This group is small but far larger than the first group and probably enough to keep the hobby going, assuming the condition can be met.

Is there a pin compatible cpu to replace the PA6T once Apple stops making them ( about a year from now)?

[Kronos]

How many other computers features a Xmos chip, Xorro Expansion Slot, and a Dual Core PA6T-1682M PPC 64Bit 2Ghz processor?

So if the A1000 (the real one) had been bog-standard IBM-AT-clone with an 68000 in the place where one would expect the 80286 and some obscure IO-chip clued to it, it would have triggered the same reactions like the A1000 with it's outstanding GFX, sound an OS had ?

It say the actual reaction would be lukewarm at best.

[Tripitaka]

@AmigaNG

Is there a pin compatible cpu to replace the PA6T once Apple stops making them ( about a year from now)?

Not that I could find, and I trawled the net good and proper. The question came up at amigaworld.net too.

IMHO however I don't see this making any more or less sales for X1000.

[persia]

That's not to say that XMOS isn't an interesting chip.  You can program it and put it inside robots and other remote control/sensing devices.  I'm intrigued with the idea of launching one on top of a model rocket.  The great thing is that if you don't recover XMOS from it's remote location you really aren't out much money and you can easily just program a replacement.  And all you need to get started is a USD 99 programming box.

One nice thing about XMOS is that it is a fairly powerful processor so any remote data gathered can be processed before being transmitted to your main location.  Not every remote location is going to have wifi or an ethernet cable available.

[ferrellsl]

Trevor already admitted this was a run for the 5 sample boards. Yet he still seems to refer to it as a "production run".

Now, unlike the automobile industry I know of no official measurement to qualify a computer board as a "production run" so lying would also be subjective. However the fact is the news item doesn't state that there are only five boards, and we don't even need to get into the whole history of false announcements A-eon has made in the past. So it's buyer beware.

I'll accuse him of missing every production deadline that's been set.  And I'll accuse him of using misleading language.  A 5-board test run and the release of some schematics does not equal "production".  Production implies quantity in mass and that the product (whatever is is) is ready to go to market.  The X1000 will most likely never be seen in quantities above 50, if at all.  And since when has lying been subjective?  You either tell the truth or you lie.  It's a boolean thing...most computer people understand that.  Are you sure you aren't a politician!

[jorkany]

I'll accuse him of missing every production deadline that's been set.  And I'll accuse him of using misleading language.  A 5-board test run and the release of some schematics does not equal "production".  Production implies quantity in mass and that the product (whatever is is) is ready to go to market.  The X1000 will most likely never be seen in quantities above 50, if at all.  And since when has lying been subjective?  You either tell the truth or you lie.  It's a boolean thing...most computer people understand that.

What I mean is that there is no hard quantifiable value in the computer hardware industry that qualifies what "production" means, as opposed to something like the automotive industry. So even if they produce five boards they can call that a production run.

Personally, I think Trevor sank a bunch of money into this debacle and will say pretty much anything to break even - ANYTHING. That would be the businesslike thing to do, and I expect we're going to need a lot of popcorn this year.

Are you sure you aren't a politician!

Pretty sure but maybe I should run for office just in case!

[Iggy]

So if the A1000 (the real one) had been bog-standard IBM-AT-clone with an 68000 in the place where one would expect the 80286 and some obscure IO-chip clued to it, it would have triggered the same reactions like the A1000 with it's outstanding GFX, sound an OS had ?

It say the actual reaction would be lukewarm at best.

At the time the AT was current, I'd say yes it might have.
The 68K would have been able to run decent multitasking OS' (Xenix, OS9, Minix). The 80286 would have been far less capable.
The system you describe would have made a great server, multiple terminals could have been run from it.
Overall it would have been clearly superior to the Intel based alternative.

Further, as the Amiga advanced, that outstanding Graphics and Sound system you mention was a bottleneck to faster processors. By the end of the Amiga's life cycle RTG and other replacements for the original chipset made sense. And finally the move to PPC (since the 68060 topped out at less than 100Mhz) also made sense.

Only the OS was really worth retaining and now its a little long in the tooth.

[mechy]

Obviously we can only know what aeon lets us know,and i have read their site.thats how i came to the conclusion this is nothing special.the obscure xorro bus is useless unless there are drivers to drive some unknown hardware plugged in...which doesn't exhist.

you can call it your new blender if you like.it doesn't make it amiga.But im sure you'll get yer boing stickers and such out to plaster all over the generic pc tower its in.the A1000 was something that had not been seen or thought of,it was custom built from scratch.the 3 main custom chips were built from scratch.

The original amiga 1000 had some custom chips you may of heard of,denise,agnus,paula etc.. ever heard of these?. so no its not valid.the x1000 is off the shelf parts.it bring nothing new to the field currently other than a dual core processor and some xmos stuff tacked on.

so that leaves me wondering if you've ever touched a real amiga let alone know what it is. lol



mech

No - not yet.
But I will get one to find precisely that out. So the A1 X1k currently is interesting enough to me to get one and to find out more about it.

And you?



It will be MY NEW AMIGA.
That's all that counts for me...
You are of course free to think of it what you want...



This is also valid for the original A1000s from 1985and all subsequent C= Amiga models. Or do you honestly think all the resistors, capacitors, jacks and even the cpu have been designed and produced exclusively for the Amiga line of computers by C=?



So what?



And I have to wonder if YOU read the specs on their site...

[ferrellsl]

What I mean is that there is no hard quantifiable value in the computer hardware industry that qualifies what "production" means, as opposed to something like the automotive industry. So even if they produce five boards they can call that a production run.

Personally, I think Trevor sank a bunch of money into this debacle and will say pretty much anything to break even - ANYTHING. That would be the businesslike thing to do, and I expect we're going to need a lot of popcorn this year.


Pretty sure but maybe I should run for office just in case!

Totally agree with you in all respects! What seat will you be campaigning for?

[Iggy]

I'd like to address the pessimism that has persistently haunted this thread. The X1000 will be built. The components have already been purchased so it would be foolish not to finish the project.
Also, you all keep acting like A-eon is Trevor Dickinson's project alone. He has two partner (one an old friend of his the other Ben Hermans of Hyperion).
There will only be a limited number of X1000s. PA6T processor are now a rare commodity. So future models will probably be based on other PPCs (one possibility being the P5 processors from Freescale).

You all pontificate on missed target dates and BS about popcorn, but you fail to understand that these guys are serious. They wouldn't have invested their money in the components, and the design, if they weren't.
Don't like the system? Aren't going to buy one? Fine. There won't be that many produced and I'm sure they'll have no problem selling every one.

[mechy]

Because I believe But also because of some of details I've read in Amiga Future, because there does general feel that there is a lot more interest in this system than say the Sam systems, because I have talked too and seen a lot of users who have not say yet got an OS4 system (like myself) really consider getting this one, and because hardware wise it gives OS4 a much better future than being stuck on old Amigas or old Macs.

"It's almost 25 years since Commodore released the A1000 model that launched the line in the summer of 1985, and with the launch of the X1000 we will usher in a new beginning for the AmigaOS platform. Just as Commodore did with the A1000, we're aiming at the high-end first, with a powerful desktop computer aimed at the professional and serious hobbyist markets"

I see no problem their.


"The launch of the A1000 offered something new, and the X1000 will do the same."

How many other computers features a Xmos chip, Xorro Expansion Slot, and a Dual Core PA6T-1682M PPC 64Bit 2Ghz processor?

"the X1000 will once more make the AmigaOS platform the best choice for truly creative and unique applications. it is this return of AmigaOS to the high-end that truly ushers in a new beginning."

Hopeful we will see something unique with the Xmos chip and the power of the X1000 should be enough for any type of demanding app like Blender or Hollywood so basically hardware wont be the problem, it will be all software getting better GFX drives, making the OS Dual Core and writing the apps to take full advantage of the hardware is going to be the difficult part.

What you have described is the typical,everyday modern PC,except its specs are way slower and has a xmos chip tacked on thats of no practical use currently.. OH! and costs what,nearly 4X as much..LOL

[Iggy]

What you have described is the typical,everyday modern PC,except its specs are way slower and has a xmos chip tacked on thats of no practical use currently.. OH! and costs what,nearly 4X as much..LOL

No, what AmigaNG was describing is the fastest PPC based system designed to run AmigaOS4. At almost twice the speed of the SAM460 with two X16 PCIe slots. Personally I'd relegate the XMOS component to a hobbyist curiousity, but the rest  of the system is a solid improvement over current AOS4 hardware and advances NG systems to a new level of performance.