pk1s+@andrew.cmu.edu (Paul A. Karlin) (04/04/91)
Hi... I hate to ask what I've seen pass by on this group so many times, but I'm in the market for a hard drive for my A500 (old 1.2 ROMs, 1 ext.floppy, A501). I know I need KickStart 1.3 to get autoboot capability. I'm basically looking for specs and experiences that anyone would like to share with me. I'm currently considering the following (in no particular order): TrumpCard 500 (regular or Pro) DataFlyer 500 SupraDrive 500XP GVP Impact 500/Series II (whatever they call it now) ICD's AdIDE I'm almost definitely going to get a Quantum 40- or 52-MB drive with whatever controller I buy. For each controller, I'm interested in the following information: * RAM expandability (amounts AND methods, e.g. Do I need to buy a special board, or can I just plug SIMMs into on-board sockets?) * Price (what's the best you've seen and where? I'm on a somewhat tight budget. While I'm at it, what's the best price you've seen for Quantum 40/52 HD's and/or HD+controller packages?) * Reliability (any praises/horror stories based on experiences?) * Speed (I'm curious, but not as important as the rest--anything's MUCH better than floppy speed) I guess that's about it. Please respond BY E-MAIL; if there's enough interest and if I get enough info, I can post a summary to .introduction (as this seems to be a relatively common question)... Thanks in advance, --Paul Karlin Replies to: pk1s@andrew.cmu.edu ******************************************************************************* Carnegie Mellon University -- Pittsburgh, PA -- Undergraduate Class of 1994
dtiberio@eeserv1.ic.sunysb.edu (David Tiberio) (04/05/91)
In article <obybVOu00VIG8yDkMy@andrew.cmu.edu> pk1s+@andrew.cmu.edu (Paul A. Karlin) writes: >ext.floppy, A501). I know I need KickStart 1.3 to get autoboot >TrumpCard 500 (regular or Pro) I hear that in order to get a real use out of the Trumpcard Pro you have to buy a $3000 hard drive. Otherwise, the controller works in the A500 and the A2000, so it is good if you plan to move up. It is very bulky next to the A500. It has a power supply, and you can buy a 4 meg ram board for it which also plugs into a 2000 expansion slot. Power supply available separately. >DataFlyer 500 Probably one of the least expensive, but I have no more info on it. >SupraDrive 500XP Nice slimline design, but it uses a little bit of space extended behind the A500, which may or not be a problem. Probably the second fastest controller. 2 megs are added on board using DRAMS, but an adapter board can be used to get up to 8 megs using a different type of ram chip (probably SIMM). Power supply available separately. Disable ram with DIP switches. Factory installed drives. >GVP Impact 500/Series II (whatever they call it now) By far the fastest controller, in both reading and writing. Comes with a power supply. 8 megs of ram expansion on board using SIMM modules. The most aesthetic, exactly matching the A500 case. Disable ram with switch. Factory installed drives. Mini pass thru slo for future GVP add on boards. >ICD's AdIDE Smallest controller, and the cheapest. Yet, the IDE (not SCSI) drives may be more expensive depending on which ty you prefer. Works with any A2000, A1000, or A500. Plugs into the 68000 chip. Uses 40 pin IDE drives, but you need to hook up the power some how (easy to do on an A2000). 40 pin IDE drives are usually cheaper than SCSI drives. For the A500, a 44 pin IDE controller is often used. It requires no external power, and the drives are small enough to fit internally into the A500 without removing the floppy drive or wrrying about a bad mounting. The 44 pin drives are newer and harder to find, plus a little more expensive. No ram expansion is provided. Since it is internal, you won't even notice it is in the computer. Trump Card about $160 power supply $80 Trump Card Pro $240 power supply $80 Data Flyer $140 ? Supra separately $600 w/20 megs + 2 meg ram GVP included $600 w/40-52 megs AdIDE 40 $115 in A2000 IDE 40 pin drive $230 - $350, power supply needed for A500 AdIDE 44 $130 not needed IDE 44 pin drive $330 20 megs, $450 40 megs SCSI controllers can access about 8 drives. IDE can access 2 drives. David > >Thanks in advance, >--Paul Karlin > >Replies to: pk1s@andrew.cmu.edu >******************************************************************************* >Carnegie Mellon University -- Pittsburgh, PA -- Undergraduate Class of 1994 -- David Tiberio SUNY Stony Brook 2-3481 AMIGA DDD-MEN -- Any students from SUNY Oswego? Please let me know! :)
rbabel@babylon.rmt.sub.org (Ralph Babel) (04/05/91)
In article <1991Apr5.150818.19008@javelin.sim.es.com>, blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com (Blaine Gardner) writes: > I believe that the new GVP includes a power supply in the > base price. Correct. Ralph
blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com (Blaine Gardner) (04/05/91)
dtiberio@eeserv1.ic.sunysb.edu (David Tiberio) writes: >>SupraDrive 500XP > Power supply available separately. To which I'd add, "available seperately, but absolutely required if you want a reliable system". If you get the Supra, plan on the extra cost of the power supply. I believe that the new GVP includes a power supply in the base price. -- Blaine Gardner @ Evans & Sutherland 580 Arapeen Drive, SLC, Utah 84108 blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com or ...dsd.es.com!javelin!blgardne DoD #46 My other motorcycle is a Quadracer. BIX: blaine_g But this one is an FJ1200 -> "Engage!" (with a nod to hazy)