wagner@utcs.uucp (Michael Wagner) (04/14/86)
References: Sender: Reply-To: wagner@utcs.UUCP (Michael Wagner) Followup-To: Distribution: Organization: University of Toronto Computing Services, general purpose UNIX Keywords: It seems that some time has passed since I saw this discussed much, and at the rate that products are supposed to be coming out, it might be worth summarizing what is, de facto, now available in the area of AMIGA hardware expansion. I gather that Microforge is now shipping hard disks, since someone mentioned having gotten one. Are they shipping any of the other products? In particular, the expansion box and the 2 Meg Ram card? Has anyone seen any of the TECMAR stuff yet? Someone said a while ago that both of these expansion families were incompatable with the AMIGA standard. I don't know how to evaluate this claim...can someone fill me in? I think there is sufficient interest in this for postings, but, if people prefer, I am willing to take mail and summarize to the net. Michael
richr@pogo.UUCP (Rich Rodgers) (04/17/86)
In article <1195@utcs.uucp> wagner@utcs.uucp (Michael Wagner) writes: >Reply-To: wagner@utcs.UUCP (Michael Wagner) >Organization: University of Toronto Computing Services, general purpose UNIX > >It seems that some time has passed since I saw this discussed much, >and at the rate that products are supposed to be coming out, it might >be worth summarizing what is, de facto, now available in the area of >AMIGA hardware expansion. > >I gather that Microforge is now shipping hard disks, since someone mentioned >having gotten one. Are they shipping any of the other products? >In particular, the expansion box and the 2 Meg Ram card? > >Has anyone seen any of the TECMAR stuff yet? > >Someone said a while ago that both of these expansion families were >incompatable with the AMIGA standard. I don't know how to evaluate this >claim...can someone fill me in? > >Michael I am a part time hardware developer for the Amiga PC so can answer most of your questions. I will try to be as unbiased as possible, but since I have a slight monetary interest in what hardware is sold this may not be perfect. MicroForge: Has product available. The standalone hard disk looks and is a major kludge. You get an ~ 6" X 6" card that plugs into the Amiga and a hard disk (The one I saw did not have a case) and a separate (OPEN) power supply. The expansion box DOES NOT COME close to the Amiga standard. It uses 86 pin connectors on its' Plug In Cards (PICS) instead of the Amiga 100 pin. The thing is HUGE. You can fit 3 Amigas in the expansion box, and it must sit on the right side of the Amiga. Buy this ONLY if you want to buy all your peripherals from MicroForge, and if ergonomics is not a major concern to you and you have a very large desk. This product will not be compatible with the Amiga auot-configuration software. If you absolutely need it now, MicroForge is an option. Tecmar: Not yet available. They are probably waiting for the finalized Amiga auto- configuration code. Might have something at Comdex???? Canadian company 2 megabyte expansion module: Sorry, but I do not know their name. This product is shipping, but is not currently using the Amiga auto-configuration. Uses a program called AddMem to tell the system where it's memory is located. Have heard rumors that it is VERY power hungry and does not work with all Amigas. I can not confirm, but to help you find the answer, try to find the following. How much power does it draw? A short tutorial. The Amiga spec says that the bus puts out 1 Amp on the +5 pin. 1 megabyte of RAM needs ~350 milliamps * 2 = at least 700 milliamps. If they are using a DRAM controller, it will use ~300 milliamps in NMOS and ~30 milliamps in CMOS. With an NMOS controller it would be at the 1 Amp range with just the memory and the DRAM controller, right at spec. Ask if they use an NMOS DRAM controller before you buy, if they do, Caveat Emptor. If they do not, then my rumor is unfounded and I am very sorry. Price ~$1089. CardCo: Has a 1 megabyte memory expansion module that does work with the auto- configuration hardware and software. Price ~$549. The hardware specifications for the Amiga Expansion box are as yet unfinished. They should be finished around the end of April (Please, Commodore, are you listening) and 4 to 6 weeks after that you can probably get a decent expansion box that does support the auto configuration. The software that will run the auto-config stuff will be 1.2 and beyond (thanx for the improvements C-A) until then I would advise that you stay out of the hardware market (except for a 1 or 2 megabyte RAM module). Summary: Wait until the end of May, and then see what Comdex and Amiga have to offer. /**************************************************************************/ Tektronix (my daytime employer) has no relationship to any of this Disclaimer Disclaimer Disclaimer Creative Microsystems Inc. (my all night long employer) 9140 SW Locust St. Tigard, OR 97223 Does. All flames should be addressed to the above address and NOT at Tektronix /**************************************************************************/ -- Rich Rodgers tektronix!pogo!richr