megabyte@chinet.chi.il.us (Dr. Megabyte) (07/25/90)
I'm finally about ready to give up on my Tandy Color Computer 3. While it's a fine machine, for an 8 bit machine, it seems that both Tandy and 3rd party support for it are dwindling. So, it's time for a new computer. Several of my friends have recomended the Amiga line as an "Upgrade" path from the CoCo 3. The reasons: High Quality Graphics Mouse driven, graphic interface Ease of Use Cost effective Relative ease of finding software Good sound Good 'C' compilers available Lot's of PD code Can read those messy-DOS disks Runs OS-9 (My prefered OS) It almost sounds like the CoCo 4 Tandy never came out with. So here are my questions about the Amiga line: 1. Cost - What do the 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 systems cost? What is the used market like? Are there 3rd party disk drives, hard disks and etc for it? What are the various model #'s and what are the differences? 2. Expandability - Does the Amiga have "standard" printer, RS-232 ports and other places to connect devices? 3. Monitor - What type of monitor does the Amiga use? Should I go color or mono? Can I use my Magnavox 8CM 515 RGBi and RGB Analog monitor? 4. Software - I see LOTS of games for the Amiga in my local store, but few word wackers and other "user" programs. Do they exist, but just not retail? 5. OS-9 for the Amiga - What is the cost? Is there a windowing version of OS-9 for the Amiga? or it is strictly a "generic" implimentation? 6. Anything you might want to tell me as a potential Amiga owner, particulary if you used to be a Color Computer Owner. 7. What is the best Amiga magazine to get and read to become familair with the Amiga universe? Since all this is so basic, it can be emailed to me if you don't want to take up bandwidth in comp.sys.amiga. With luck, I might get a new computer soon, but I want to be sure that what I might buy really is a good system that won't be deserted in a few years such as my CoCo has been. -- "They Made a Thunderous noise like, like 10,000 airplanes on the roof!" Mark E. Sunderlin: IRS Technocrat in Stephens City, VA aka Dr. Megabyte: megabyte@chinet.chi.il.us (703) TOY-DUDE
Doug_B_Erdely@cup.portal.com (07/26/90)
Well, this is an interesting article!! The SAME EXACT thing was posted to C.S.Atari.ST. The only difference? Replace the word Amiga with ST. I find it interesting that your same 'friends' recommend an ST one day.. and then an Amiga the other! This is NOT a computer flame war... I just hate bogus articles, trying to stir up trouble! - Doug - Doug_B_Erdely@Cup.Portal.Com