NMILLER@TRINCC.BITNET (Norman Miller) (02/07/90)
I'm brand new to this list and have joined it chiefly to get the answer(s) to one question: how does the Amiga differ from my 286 clone? What can I do with it that I can't now do? What are the disadvantages? Which Amiga should a fellow buy? Thanks in advance. Norman Miller NMILLER@TRINCC NMILLER@VAX1.TRINCC.EDU
FILLMORE@EMRCAN.BITNET (Bob Fillmore) (02/07/90)
Why should you buy an Amiga if you already have a 286 clone? That question is easy, and as usual it boils down to what your application is: - if you want to learn more about PC clones and MS-DOS, OS/2 etc. the Amiga is not the way to go - if you want to learn about the Macintosh and Multifinder, etc. then the Amiga is not the way to go - if you have a specific application software package you want to run that is not available for the Amiga, then the Amiga is not the way to go However, - if you want to learn more about the potential benefits of multitasking and shared libraries then the Amiga is great place to start - if you want to get a feel for the power of a workstation with graphics hardware assist, but have a limited budget, then the Amiga is for you - if you want a system that has both a command-line interface and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) then the Amiga is for you - if you have a specific application software package you want to run that is only available on the Amiga (such as an INEXPENSIVE 3d modelling package with ray tracing, etc.) then the Amiga is for you - and of course if you are into games the Amiga is definitely for you I am a systems programmer with many years of experience on many mainframes, minis, and micros - I have a Mac SE/30 on my desk and work with PCs almost daily. People in my position tend to get somewhat jaded, but I still get a great kick out of using my Amiga at home because it has so many built-in standard features that a lot of the machines I work with don't have. I feel like I'm working in a straightjacket when I use a PC or even a Mac. And of course the bottom line is cost, and the Amiga gives you a LOT for a very reasonable price, IMHO. Since you already have a PC clone, let the clone do what it does best and do everything else on the Amiga. ________________________ Bob Fillmore, Systems Software & Communications BITNET: FILLMORE@EMRCAN Computer Services Centre, BIX: bfillmore Energy, Mines, & Resources Canada Voice: (613) 992-2832 588 Booth St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0E4 FAX: (613) 996-2953
KILLIAN@UNCG.BITNET (The Mad Doctor) (02/08/90)
>I'm brand new to this list and have joined it chiefly to get the answer(s) >to one question: how does the Amiga differ from my 286 clone? What can >I do with it that I can't now do? What are the disadvantages? Which >Amiga should a fellow buy? Oh, there's not much difference, except that the Amiga has better graphics, MUCH better sound, animates much more smoothly, is faster, cheaper, and easier and cheaper to expand, other than that, not much. :^) Seriously, a stock Amiga has VGA-quality or better graphics, professional quality sound, etc., and there's full support for expansion and a huge software base when it comes to graphics, animation, and sound--I've seen things in the Public Domain that is so much better than any commercial item I've seen for other computers. However, if you want to run IBM-like business software, stick with your clone--the Amiga doesn't really have the software base for that yet. But if you're at all into graphics, sound, and animation, or if you're a good hacker, or if you just love playing with computers, I don't think you'll regret buying an Amiga. Hope this helps!