[comp.sys.amiga] Running Amiga as a Macintosh

caseyng@cie.uoregon.edu (Kong Ng) (11/22/89)

Hi,
	  I am thinking about getting a mac system. However, I think
	  that the mac is over-priced and too slow (can't afford
	  SE/30 or II).  Would anyone tell me something about using
	  Amiga to run Mac programs?

	  I will be using the machine for my work, probably running
	  Word and Excel.  Compatibility with Mac and ability to read
	  Mac formatted disks is a must.  I would also consider
	  hard-disk storage.

	  If there's any user with a system set up as above, or know
	  something, please kindly share your experience.  I don't
	  normally read the news, so your e-mail response will be
	  appreciated.  Thank you.

	  casey

cmcmanis%pepper@Sun.COM (Chuck McManis) (11/23/89)

In article <1989Nov22.055912.9052@cs.uoregon.edu> (Kong Ng) writes:
>	  I am thinking about getting a mac system. However, I think
>	  that the mac is over-priced and too slow (can't afford
>	  SE/30 or II).  Would anyone tell me something about using
>	  Amiga to run Mac programs?
>	  casey

This is probably not you best plan of action Casey. I've talked to several
people around where I work who have the exact same problem you do. They 
can't stand paying the high prices that Apple wants for what to them appears
to be inferior hardware. The key though is "Why do you buy a personal
computer?" and one of the answers must be (if you are going to happy with
it) "Because it runs XYZ {my favorite | the best } software package." 

There is the AMAX Macintosh emulator, and it does run most of the Mac I
programs. But you should know that Apple is hyping their high end machines
(ever try Desktop Media on a Mac Plus?) and putting the 68000 boxes to bed.
And building a AMAX type box that emulates a Mac II on a Amiga 2500 is a
somewhat more difficult proposition. 

So why relegate yourself to being an outcast in both the Mac user groups 
and the Amiga user groups ? If you must have Mac software compatibility
then buy a Mac. Generally a good used one can be found for a reasonable 
price because a lot of users are upgrading (they see the writing on the
wall). If you want inexpensive, you should look at comparable programs
on the Amiga. And if there aren't any, consider asking the authors of
those Mac programs to do a port. There are more than a million machines
now and that is generally sufficient to get some interest, plus with the
advertising Commodore doesn't appear to be the uncaring parent. 

--Chuck McManis
uucp: {anywhere}!sun!cmcmanis   BIX: cmcmanis  ARPAnet: cmcmanis@Eng.Sun.COM
These opinions are my own and no one elses, but you knew that didn't you.
"If it didn't have bones in it, it wouldn't be crunchy now would it?!"