ralphw@IUS2.CS.CMU.EDU (Ralph Hyre) (08/28/87)
I'd like a Mac-II/Sun-3 class system for home/hobby use.
(680X0, >8M memory, megapixel display, expansion capability)
I don't want to get locked into Apple's or Sun's pseudo-proprietary
(Apple Nubus, SunVME) expansion schemes, which require mechanical
modifications to cards or purchase of an adapter card from the manufacturer.
I would prefer to go with a more 'standard' bus system like straight
VMEbus or Multibus or whatever. I envision picking up expansion cards
and card cages at Hamfests and such.
Support for multiprocessing may be important, that seems to mean
that multi-master operation on the bus is needed.
It would be nice if all the chips were socketed, I'd have a hard time
fixing soldered-in chips and SMD's.
I know details about the following 68020-based processor cards (all VMEbus):
they are ranked roughly in order of cost.
Sun-3 EuroCard 20Mhz CPU, 4M onboard, 4 serial ports, 'integral' display
big company, good software
disadvantages: 16M max memory,proprietary mem system, SMD used everywhere
Ironics 16-20 Mhz, mailbox interrupts, 'best' system controller?
disadvantages: lots of parts soldered directly,
(at least memory seems to be semi-socketed (SIPS))
Heurikon similar to Ironics + serial port, less expensive?
disdvantages: never seen one
--
- Ralph W. Hyre, Jr.
Internet: ralphw@ius2.cs.cmu.edu Phone:(412)268-{2847,3275} CMU-{BUGS,DARK}
Amateur Packet Radio: N3FGW@W2XO, or c/o W3VC, CMU Radio Club, Pittsburgh, PA