craig@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (Craig Hubley) (03/16/90)
For those of you still following this thread:
What chip architecture is faster doesn't mean a damn thing. There are only two
real issues: cost, and availability of software. *Right now* you can add on
Mac and PC emulation to an Amiga, and if these capabilities can be integrated
better into the standard box you would really have something. An 88000 ought
to run fast enough to decently run PC stuff given that there is now binary
translation capability (XDOS, etc.) around. The 88000 promises to be a
big porting base, Commodore can get back into the mainstream this way. And
if Apple comes out with an 88000-based Mac, that is more good news. But the
680x0 line is getting faster due to new chip technology that will soon be
used on the 88000s (and other chips) as well.
The key issue for Commodore would be 32-bit graphics chips - if they can't
develop those then they should use ones from TI or somebody else. They
would need to implement a custom Xwindows based on the chips that would
blow everyone else's out of the water. Everything else would just obey
the 88OPEN standards and stay portable.
When it comes right down to it, though, I don't know if I would buy a
workstation from Commodore. Too much to worry about, and too far from
their roots as a company to sell high-power items like that.
Cost of the machine should go *down*, not up, or at least hold the line. As to
capability, there are a lot of interesting things going on in user interfaces -
how about having a 68020 Amiga come out that fits in your pocket, costs $500,
with a wide variety of input and output devices as options (datagloves, chord
keyboards, silhouette trackers a la Mandala, headsup displays, and of course
the standard screen and keyboard - in portable or luxury configurations).
Oh yeah, give it a DSP to generate stereo sound and it can double as a
Walkman. If the headsups had high enough resolution it could be a Watchman.
TV and radio receivers take up no space at all and could be sold as addons.
This would be a revolution rather than a catchup.
It would also play on the real strengths of the Amiga - flexible I/O
architecture, video compatibility, custom chip support... remember, the
Amiga was underpowered (7.16 MHz vs 8 for ST or Mac) from the start. That
isn't why we bought them, and it isn't why we hang onto them.
Now that is something that even Commodore could probably sell. It would
even play on their big strengths - manufacturing clout and a custom chip
foundry. Making a lot of new I/O devices wouldn't be too difficult for
them - who buys their modems, printers, and other garbage anyway? Time
to do something revolutionary again!
--
Craig Hubley -------------------------------------
Craig Hubley & Associates "Lead, follow, or get out of the way"
craig@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca -------------------------------------
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