spencer@usc-oberon.UUCP (Randy Spencer) (06/23/86)
I saw this at the BADGE meeting last Thursday, I thought everyone should
know. I have some comments on it at the end. Here is the flyer I got:
Introducing Alegra: The Amiga Memory Expansion Unit from Access Associates.
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER: $299.00
Now you can add 512K bytes of external fast memory to your Amiga computer.
In the smallest available package. With a design that will accommodate
expansion to 2 megabytes with just component changes.
Alegra comes with a 90 day parts and labor warranty. It's available for
delivery July 1st. and it's available at the lowest advertised price for
any Amiga fast memory add-on. $379.00 suggested retail.
Alegra. Only from Access Associates.
Access Associates
491 Aldo Avenue
Santa Clara, CA. 95054-2303
408-727-8520
Distributor inquires welcome.
------------------------------cut here---------------------------------
Act now and order our 2 meg reconfiguration set-now just $10.00
(Memory not included).
Please send _______ Alegras and ______ Configuration Sets to:
(California residents add appropriate sales tax.)
Enclosed is my check for _____________
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________ State: __________________
Zip: _______________
I am using my Amiga for: ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Special offer good only on orders placed by June 30, 1986.
Please allow 6 weeks for delivery.
******************************************************************************
These are Randy's comments:
I have seen the board. It is attractive at any rate. It is not the full
length of the amiga so it exposes the joy-mouse ports, thus you don't need
a passthru for these. I always hated the fact that the T-card, the micro-
forge, and the sidecar all had the mouse port sticking out forward, it don't
look good. This does. The board is no thicker than the mouse connector
sticks out from the side of the main cabinate.
There is no pass thru, however. This is because the board (at 2 meg) saps
all of the power that is on that port. If there is something that you want
to attach that has it's own supply than put it before the Alegra and use
it's pass thru. The memory auto allocates and there is a program for you
1.1 users, so that you can access it still. The 2 meg upgrade is accomplished
by replacing the memory chips with newer, higher density chips. They sell
the config chips that work with the new memory chips for only $10.00 (now),
but they do not sell the memory chips. This is because they are not
readily available. To get them you can go directly to the manufacturer,
Access Associates will direct you to them. The new chips will cost about
$35 each. The price will be going down when more people make them, and
when more people buy them, but for now you need 16 of them for 2 meg, and
that adds up (but I won't, for I don't remember how to use math!)
There is no question in my mind as to whether or not I am going to get
this product, it is just what I need. Remember, however, that if you
do get this and you get something like the micro-forge or the byte-by-byte
expansion chassis (which have no pass thru either) you will only be able
to use one at a time. For $550 you can get the cardco which has a full
pass thru, but is not available as soon, and is not upgradable as easily.
I don't currently have anything to do with Access Associates, but I am
looking for a job up there.... (yes this is a hint for any head hunters)
--
==============================================================================
....I disclaim everything, I had nothing to do with it, it's not my fault!....
Randal Spencer - DEC, {amiga} Consulting - University of Southern California
phone: (213) 743-5363 Arpa:Spencer@USC-ECL,USC-Oberon Bitnet:Spencer@USCVAXQ
UUCP:...up to you!{{decvax,ucbvax}!sdcrdcf,scgvaxd,smeagol}!usc-oberon!spencer
Home: 937 N. Beverly Glen Bl. Bel Air California 90077 (213) 470-0428
------------------------------------------------------------------------------mykes@3comvax.UUCP (Mike Schwartz) (06/25/86)
To the best of my knowledge, Cardco has been shipping their 1MB ram boards for at least three weeks. The price of the boards are $499, if ordered by phone, because Cardco has some distributor in Minnesota ship the boards. I called them several times three weeks ago, and they wouldn't even take a credit card number and ship when it was ready. The last call I made, they said they were shipping and would take my card. I expect to be getting those boards in the mail any day now. Computer Attic in Palo Alto has flyers saying they will be selling a 2MB RAM board for $699 on July 1st. I do not know if anyone has seen these boards or whether they will be shipping on time. These boards are supposed to have some different type of connector instead of a bus pass-through, to which other boards can be added (like other 2MB boards, clock, etc.), and an optional bus passthrough card. I do not know if the board will plug into an official amiga expansion box slot. $200 for an extra megabyte is awful tempting, but the Cardco boards are 100% Amiga approved (pass the bus, autoconfig, etc), slap onto the side of the amiga or into an expansion box, and are made by a company that has made lots of similar products (for the C64) and is well established. A few months ago, any RAM at all would have been a dream come true. Now there is just beginning to be a large selection of peripherals for the Amiga, so I figure it is worth not being required to be on the end of the bus.