newsbytes@clarinet.com (01/18/90)
STEVENAGE, ENGLAND, 1990 JAN 17 (NB) -- Computer Trade Weekly (CTW) took the UK computer trade by storm this week with a lead story about Commodore's forthcoming Amiga-based CD-ROM games console machine. The machine, which was reportedly shown privately at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last week, is expected to retail for between UKP 400 and UKP 500 ($600 - $750). According to Stuart Dinsey, CTW's editor, the story has come from impeccable sources, and has been backed up by industry information on the games console since CTW was published on Monday this week. "Our information says that the CD-ROM Amiga console was shown at CES on a very, very secret basis. It's still at a very early stage in terms of prototyping, and I wouldn't expect to see a proper prototype machine until CES in June at the earliest," Dinsey told Newsbytes. According to CTW's lead news item on the CD-ROM Amiga console, the unit shown privately at CES is essentially an A500 Amiga minus keyboard with a CD-ROM drive fitted. "Those who saw the machine were suitably impressed by Commodore's plan to use the very latest technology to enter a US console market which has exploded into life in the past year or so," said CTW's story. Interestingly, Dinsey said that his sources revealed that the CD- ROM console version of the Amiga was produced after earlier prototyping with a cartridge version. According to Dinsey, cartridge consoles are now becoming passe, making CD-ROM consoles the hot games machine of the moment. "If Commodore were to ship a cartridge-based games console in late 1990/early 1991, then it would look very old hat. By going for a CD-ROM console, Commodore will be staying ahead of the rest of the trade," he said. Commodore UK appears to have been surprised by CTW's revelations. A spokesman for Commodore told Newsbytes that he was unaware of such a product in development. Trade sources have suggested to Newsbytes, however, that a new Amiga product will be announced at the CeBIT Hannover Fair in West Germany in March. These same sources say that a CD-ROM console is a relatively unlikely possibility, with a new Amiga touted as the prime candidate. (Steve Gold/19900117/Press Contact: Stuart Dinsey, Computer Trade Weekly - Tel: 0438-310184)