A1200 or A3000?

[vic20owner]

Trying to decide between a brand new stock A1200 OS3.5 Magic Bundle with 40G drive, or a 25mhz stock A3000.  AGA is fun for games, but I think what I want to do is some programming and getting on the internet (not really browsing, just IRC, AIM, Email, and news).  Can I even USE OS3.5 on a stock 2MB A1200?

Which should I get? I still have a deep attraction to the A1200 since it was my primary Amiga back in the day... but I'm trying to think future here.  I could upgrade the 3000 to something which would surpass the A1200. Right?

Please dont recommend the A1. I'm not going to spend $1000 on a G3 MB, sorry  It's just not possible.

Thanks,
-tom

[locutus]

If you are NOT going to play games, get that A3000 and buy 3.1 ROM's !

[x56h34]

Well, A3000 are better in terms of Z3 slots, built-in flicker-fixer, and socketed chips (if one breaks, simply replace it).

A1200 is cheaper and expanding it will be cheaper. No Zorro slots, surface mounted chips (one breaks and you are in need of a new mobo, most likely), however features AGA display and built-in RF modulator, unlike A3000.

If you don't care about AGA demos and games, then A3000 is the way to go, by all means.

[Brian]

It all depend... the A3000 is a better machine of the two both in stock specs and it can be uppgraded bewond the A1200 aswell. However both in buing and in uppgrading the A1200 can be a much cheaper alternative.

I would however look for an A4000 machine if I where you as the A3000 original case lack in space and have heat issues so it requiering a tower kit to take full advantage of the machine. Here the A4000 is better allowing for PPC board and PCI solusion and space for 5.25" unit without having to tower the beast.

To answerr the OS3.5 question, I belive it requier at least 4Mb of fastram to run.

[TjLaZer]

It is simple.  If you want to use the internet and other power tasks, get the A3000.  With a graphics card and 040/060/PPC, ethernet, Fast SCSI drives you are all set.  Yes the A1200 can do it too, but AGA is way to slow, even with a 060!  A A3000 with a 040 and ZIII Graphics card will blow the socks off a 1200 060 AGA setup for web browsing.  Maybe get a second hand A1200 too thats what I did.  I added a 040/33 to it and it runs nicely.

[Holley]

If your previous experience was with an A1200 then an A4000 would be a good choice.  The A3000 is great, apart from the small range of accellerators (they have to be short to fit the case) - though if you can put up with that there's no better Amiga than the A3000 ;-)

If you're starting with a base machine then any Amiga will need serious upgrades to make it more than a basic hobby machine, of course you could always get a new A1 or Pegasos ... or make do with UAE until a primo machine comes up :-P

[HopperJF]

It's a tough call.
I mean I love the A1200, I adore it. Such brilliant machines, but I'd go for the 3000 without a doubt.

[Effy]

Get a towered A1200, buy a Mediator 1200 and use cheap pci Voodoo cards and then you´ll have enough speed
Of course, you can also get a A4000D and use a Mediator4000Di to be mounted inside the desktop

[Holley]

Both excellent ways to empty your bank account ;-)

[gizz72]

@Holley
Getting to play classic and recent games on them makes you smile: Priceless!

everything else there's ....card.. :lol:

Good day to all Amigans! :-D

[vic20owner]

Thanks for the help. I settled on an A3000. Should be here next week!