sansom@trwrba.UUCP (Richard E. Sansom) (01/03/86)
In article <800@caip.RUTGERS.EDU> roberts@nbs-vms.ARPA writes: > >Several Points of Comparison in the Amiga vs ST Debate > >1) The official Atari price of the ST system that has received so much >praise in this mailing list is actually $1798 (799 for the monochrome >version, plus 999 for the color version). Each version will do things >that the other will not, and it is usually the composite of these >functions that is represented as the overall capability of the ST. >Atari has not to my knowledge offered to sell the monitors other than >as part of a package deal. (I personally tend to favor the monochrome >version - it seems to be best for the things the ST does the best.) This is simply not true. A color monitor may be added to the monochrome system for less than $300. Alternatively, a monochrome monitor may be added to the color system for less than $200. >2) I expect a computer to be good for handling text, but for a >*personal* computer, I also enjoy sound and graphics capabilities. If >Atari users were all the sensible sort who want only the minimal >graphics required for text, one would expect only monochrome STs to >be sold. I don't have any national figures, but a local dealer >(admittedly a small sample) claims they are going about 50-50. Perhaps >even some sensible Atari users enjoy graphics. > With the ST, there is a choice between optimized color graphics >and optimized text that must be made at purchase time. Although the monochrome monitor is optimal for text processing, the color monitor is more than adequate for the job (I own both). >4) Commodore/Amiga has been fairly open and honest about the internal >structure and functioning of their machine, while by comparison >Atari has been relatively secretive (specific examples furnished upon >request). On the contrary, Atari is willing to furnish development kits to anyone willing to spend $300. Until recently, Commodore/Amiga refused to sell their development kits to anyone other than "official" developers. >5) I have not heard much about ST expandability in terms of processors, >more memory, etc. The Amiga was designed with such expandability in >mind,and has bus ports, etc. for that purpose. This, for me at least, is the ST's biggest shortcoming. Although expansion boxes are currently under development, the designers of the ST should be chastised for this serious omission :-( >6) Most of the Dhrystone benchmarks run on the Amiga (showing slightly >slower execution than the ST) have been run with the processor using >the same memory as the specialized chips. With an expanded memory >space (which could be desired for its own sake) performance should be >enhanced, especially for graphics-intensive applications. A faster >processor (the 68020) should give a greater increase in performance. >What should really give floating point performance a boost is the >addition of a good floating point processor chip (of which the 68881 >is a logical choice for the 68000 family). I expect a 68881 to be >available for the Amiga long before the ST gets one (if ever). I would say that ~500(?) v.s. 1092 Dhrystones is somewhat more than "slightly slower". Also, I thought the Amiga was not bogged down by the specialized chips. Needless to say, both the Amiga and the ST would execute the Dhrystone benchmark test faster with 68020's. And what makes you think (seriously) that the Amiga will have a 68881 before the ST? >7) A minimal Amiga system I would buy (512K, RGB monitor) costs >considerably more than a minimal Atari 520ST system I would buy. >I think the Amiga would better suit my intended applications. There is no doubt about the fact that the ST is less expensive than the Amiga. If the Amiga suits your needs better, then buy an Amiga. >8) Jack Tramiel of Atari has announced an intention (as of a few >months ago) to eventually sell hard disk and CD drives for ~$500. >Even if this figure cannot be met, Atari may still come out with >peripherals at much lower prices than those Tecmar is expected to >charge for peripherals for the Amiga. Following this observed >disparity, prices may be driven to more reasonable levels, to the >benefit of the consumer. In general, competition between the two >machines may help to keep prices in check. > >9) The fact that the markets for the two machines do not completely >overlap may help both companies to survive. My perception of local >market conditions is that STs, Amigas, and C-128s (surprisingly) are >being sold as fast as the dealers can get them, at least for the >time being. Perhaps market share will be determined by which company >can produce computers most quickly. Good points. Even though I took exception to several of the points stated in the included article, I am glad to see that some people are capable of posting articles which contain more substance than mud-slinging. Richard E. Sansom {decvax,ucbvax,ihnp4}!trwrb!trwrba!sansom