Which classic system should I buy?

[SeanTheGeek]

Hi all,

I am an undergrad student who is currently taking a C++ programming class, and I plan on taking an assembly class in the fall. As I'm sure you know, modern hardware is very forgiving, so I'm interested to see how well our code runs on classic hardware. Sure, big-O notation and emulators could help, but there's nothing like running on real hardware.

I'm entirely new to the world of Amiga, so I hope you'll be understanding with my questions; I know many of you have computers that are older than I am.  I'm hoping some of you can help me decide which system to look for, and where I might acquire a used or reproduction system. My goal is to submit a funding request to our student activities allocations board on behalf of our student organization for the sciences. Ideally, the system should meet the following criteria:

- Be capable of running Amiga OS 3.9

- Be able to interface with a twisted-pair Ethernet network (I'd love to get it talking with university systems and "cloud" services like Twitter)

- Be able to interface with a dot-matrix printer that we can still get supplies for, simply for the sake of novelty. It would be really cool if I could get that interfaced with the services mentioned above.

So, keeping that in mind, how much do you think we would need to spend for a complete system (including the monitor, HDD CD-ROM drive, NIC, keyboard, mouse, speakers, printer, and software, SDKs, etc)? Where could I find a system that would meet these needs? Amiga Kit has no classic systems listed, and Soft Hut's status in generally unknown as far as I can tell.

In addition, I would be grateful for your thoughts on the following:

What are the things that every Amiga user should know?

What books should we buy?

What other online resources could be useful for classic Amiga software development?

And anything else you can think of.

Thanks,

Sean

[Darrin]

If budget is an issue then hardware-wise I'd look for an A1200 on eBay and add a USB card such as the Subway that will allow you to attach a USB Ethernet adapter and any old external USB CD/DVD ROM.  There's a thread on here where some guys have found that certain LCD monitors will work with an Amiga simply using a cheap adapter.

AmigaKit do have classic systems for sale:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40_85&products_id=305
follow that link and configure it as you like.

Get a refurb Kickstart 3.1 model
OS3.1
4GB internal IDE Compact Flash card (for your hard drive)
They have a wire and wireless Ethernet option via the PCMCIA card port
All for less than $300+S&h
Then all you need is that USB card, a CD/DVD ROM, VGA adapter, OS3.9 and whatever productivity software you need.

Here's the USB card for the A1200:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=137

However, some A1200 mobos have a buggered-up clockport so verify with Amigakit that their A1200 has the correct clockport for the Subway.

Here's the VGA monitor adapter:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=50&products_id=183

If you want a faster CPU and more RAM then add this (delivery in September):
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=1013

[Darrin]

and here's the link to the thread about the monitors that should work with that VGA adapter:
http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=58860

[save2600]

You should buy my A3000 system... no VGA adapter required!

-edit- whoops, she already sold. Damn, eBay can be fast!  

[bbond007]

If you want a faster CPU and more RAM then add this (delivery in September):
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=1013

I agree with Darrin on the 1200. It can run the full range of classic software unlike the ESC/OCS machines.

I would not wait for the ACA accelerator. I'd look for a used 030 or better to pop up on amibay or ebay or here. You might find use for the FPU or MMU which the ACA lacks. I believe the 68EC030 lacks MMU anyway, correct me if I'm wrong. I guess the main selling point of that accelerator is memory speed and rekick feature and that its new.

If you do start serious expanding on the A1200, I'd suggest you get a beefier PS.

I have a 1200 with subway, wireless pcmcia, 030/40mhz 64mb, SSD, and when I tried to add SVIDEO adapter that put my stock PS over the edge(would not boot). That gives you an idea what you can run off the stock.

I have the APOWER from here: http://a4000t.com

I don't understand why he only has the CD32 one listed. interesting. You can always make one from ATX or micro ATX or I have heard an A500 PS can work. maybe contact him.

this is the thread with the compatible monitors:
 
http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=58860

as far as books, you should buy used ones

I have a external ESATA BluRay hooked to my A1200. That its a pretty inexpensive option. You just need 4xIDE adapter and a compatible IDE->SATA converter. Pretty cool having a A1200 with 4usb ports and a ESATA port

I use these tiny speakers and they are excellent for the size and I don't even like bose crap. They are not excellent for the price though

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/digital_music_systems/computer_speakers/music_monitor/index.jsp

I got them free for making all of my purchases on American Express. I wonder if they still have them in their catalog.

[bbond007]

no VGA adapter required!  

Yeah. but you'll be stuck with ECS unless you add a GFX board

been playing with my new monitor -1024x768 HAM8 pics look photo-realistic, like a modern PC.

ECS looks pretty dated... only 4096 colour in Low-Rez(320x512) with HAM6.

[utri007]

Get Amiga 1200, with hd, accelerator and PCMCIA LAN card

Accelertor should be at least 040 wich is possible get quite economy price, unlike 060

USB is nice, but if you just want to add LAN with it is quity prizey solution for that. PCMCIA cards can found for 3$

[HenryCase]

Hi Sean,

If you're looking for a decent classic Amiga setup, your best bet is an A1200 + some key extras. Using a CompactFlash card as a HDD is a commonly used strategy for Amigas, something like this is worth considering:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=883

Would like to ask, what do you intend to use as a monitor? If you want to use a PC VGA monitor, and want a high quality picture, then a device like the Indivision scandoubler/flickerfixer is also worth considering. Unfortunately they seem to be out of stock on Amigakit right now for the AGA version, which is what you'd need for an A1200. You might be able to buy one elsewhere though.

Just curious, why is OS3.9 a requirement for you? Whilst it is the latest version of AmigaOS designed to run on the 68k Amigas, it adds a noticeable amount of overhead when compared to OS3.1 (or even OS3.5), from what I understand. If you're looking for a cheap Amiga, then sticking to OS3.1 may save you from wanting to get an accelerator.

[tone007]

One more vote for the A1200 as the most cost-effective machine for your purposes.

[bbond007]

Just curious, why is OS3.9 a requirement for you? Whilst it is the latest version of AmigaOS designed to run on the 68k Amigas, it adds a noticeable amount of overhead when compared to OS3.1 (or even OS3.5), from what I understand. If you're looking for a cheap Amiga, then sticking to OS3.1 may save you from wanting to get an accelerator.

Very true! 3.1 is where its at. I have had good luck with Classic WB.

http://classicwb.abime.net/

Even if you don't get an accelerator you would still want a trapdoor memory expansion. The A1200 has the potential to run almost twice as fast simply by adding (any amount) of additional ram. Still, The price difference between trapdoor memory expansions and one of the slower 030 accelerator is probably only a few bills.

[runequester]

Definately a 1200. A lot of options for how to get files to and from it, which can be a headache otherwise.

You'd probably be fine with an 030 board for 99% of tasks

[utri007]

Just curious, why is OS3.9 a requirement for you? Whilst it is the latest version of AmigaOS designed to run on the 68k Amigas, it adds a noticeable amount of overhead when compared to OS3.1 (or even OS3.5), from what I understand. If you're looking for a cheap Amiga, then sticking to OS3.1 may save you from wanting to get an accelerator.

He wants to port A Os4 version of  Netsurf to classic amigas, that why he needs latest 68k version of Reaction wich is included to Amiga Os 3.9?

[rvo_nl]

Easy. Get a second-hand a1200, find an old 4GB IDE harddrive (3.5 inch) you can connect this using 40pin-44pin IDE adapter (search amigakit.com). Ethernet is possible over the PCMCIA port. An accelerator with some memory will help, go for a 68030 processor with 8MB ram, see out amibay.com. This whole setup connects to a TV set or using VGA adapter to certain monitors, too. Have fun!

[TNovosel]

A1200 + B1230 or better and HD/FlashCard.

[chris]

What books should we buy?

The DevCD 2.1 (AmigaKit have it in stock: http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=212), which contains electronic version of the RKRMs and loads of other useful (and not so useful) old documentation.

You'll need the 3.9 NDK too if you're developing for OS3.9 rather than 3.5.