janti@athena.arc.nasa.gov (Joel Antipuesto - GDP) (06/15/91)
I need some info on the Amiga. I'm in need of a personal computer, and the
Amiga was brought to my attention by a friend. Here's what kinds of things the
computer must do:
* At the very least, have good word processing applications
availalble to it and have capabilities to remotely log on
to UNIX mainframes (just for terminal emulation). Possibly
be able to do C programming in a UNIX environment, but not
essential at the moment.
* Music applications, MIDI. Sound synthesis and options to
tweak sounds at will is a must.
* Graphic capabilities (can't really specify much more at the
moment).
So basically, I need a computer to do school-related work, but then I want
the option to expand on the system for music and possibly graphics.
Okay so here's some questions:
* Why an Amiga? Why not a Mac or other computer? I've
heard that the Amiga can emulate a Mac or IBM PC. How
effective is this emulation?
* Another reason I've been prompted to consider the Amiga
is because of the current upgrade special Commodore is
having on the 3000? If I were to get an Amiga, what would
be the pros and cons of 3000 vs the 2000? For the kinds of
applications I want, is the 2000 enough or is there a
forseeable reason that a 3000 would be a better choice?
* Music people: what kind of price range are we talking about
for going MIDI? I don't currently own a synth, so add whatever
price is needed for an adequate keyboard - just something
to interface for real-time data input, but live performance
isn't a priority. Also, what kind of software is out there?
The plan is if I can afford and justify the cost and need for the 3000, go
for the upgrade plan (I have an old 64), but I'm not at all sure if I do
need something like the 3000. Any info I would really appreciate. Please
e-mail all responses to:
janti@athena.arc.nasa.gov
or
ajoel@cory.Berkeley.EDU
Thanks.
-Joelmoonhawk@bluemoon.uucp (David Culberson) (06/17/91)
janti@athena.arc.nasa.gov (Joel Antipuesto - GDP) writes: > > I need some info on the Amiga. I'm in need of a personal computer, and the > Amiga was brought to my attention by a friend. Here's what kinds of things t > computer must do: Only too happy to try and help. And, I'm glad you didn't ask this in an IBM or MAC conference! ;-) > > * At the very least, have good word processing applications > availalble to it and have capabilities to remotely log on > to UNIX mainframes (just for terminal emulation). Possibly > be able to do C programming in a UNIX environment, but not > essential at the moment. Yeah, it can log onto mainframes. Most computers can; it's mostly just a matter of software. Modems are prety much standard. And, you'll find that the Amiga's terminal programs are just wonderful; I prefer my NCOMM over my IBM's Telix any day! > > * Music applications, MIDI. Sound synthesis and options to You're in luck here. The built in sounds are GOOD, no matter what anyone tells you. The numbers say that it's maybe on the low end of o.k., but the actual SOUND coming out says t me that it's on the upper end of excellet for me. On the MIDI interface: You're in luck here, too. Most computers require a seperate UART for a MIDI interface, but the Amiga has a programmable UART on board. This means that you can build your own interface for under $10, or buy a pre-built one for under $50. And, it has some pretty good MIDI software out there. Also, most Amiga music programs support at least very limited MIDI support. Can't say that about the IBM. > tweak sounds at will is a must. > > * Graphic capabilities (can't really specify much more at the > moment). The Amiga has good built-in graphics, and has some pretty incredible add-on cards, and they're kinda cheap, too. Probably more than you need for now, but the M.A.S.T. Colorburst, as soon as it passes the FCC tests, will probably be one of the top. It's around $400, and is 24 bit RGB color. 16.8 million colors, real time 24 bit animation, just some pretty cool stuff. Just drop a line in the comp.sys.amiga.graphics newsgroup for more info. > > So basically, I need a computer to do school-related work, but then I want > the option to expand on the system for music and possibly graphics. > > Okay so here's some questions: > > * Why an Amiga? Why not a Mac or other computer? I've > heard that the Amiga can emulate a Mac or IBM PC. How > effective is this emulation? Well, that's a very complex question. You would really need to be VERY specific for me to be very specific. I origonally bought an IBM as my first computer; it was a HUGE letdown. I returned it, and got a used 1000 for the same price <around 3 years ago; it was $700. Now, they can be had for around $400 or less, but I would NOT suggest geting one. Dead end.>. I have a 2000 now. I love the Amiga because it gives me great graphics, great sound, the best multitasking I've seen on any PERSONAL computer, reasonable speed, even with my lowly 68000, and is just generally a great computer. Now, if you're going to be off doing 16 bit sound, recording to hard disk, tweaking the sounds, then setting it on a CD or DAT, you can get card for that on an Amiga. But, it's a new section of the Amiga market that;s bound to grow. PRoblem is, you're pretty much limited to what software came with your card. I reccomend a <GASP!> MAC for this work, although you'll likely spend more on it than the Amiga. > > * Another reason I've been prompted to consider the Amiga > is because of the current upgrade special Commodore is > having on the 3000? If I were to get an Amiga, what would > be the pros and cons of 3000 vs the 2000? For the kinds of > applications I want, is the 2000 enough or is there a > forseeable reason that a 3000 would be a better choice? If you can afford it; get the 3000. I reccomend it! I couldn't afford it, so I didn't get it. Of course, many will tell you it's not compatible enough, but I think that it's mostly GAMES that don't run, and YOU won't be doing much of those, now will you? ;-) seriously, MOST programs DO run, there is a high degree of compatibility. And, if you wish to run something that on't run in 2.03, you can switch to 1.3. If it still won't run, then the program most likely won't run even on an accelerated 2000, some games won't run with anything other than a 68000. Actually, I think that with the Power Up! deal, the 3000 can be had for very little more than a decent 2000; the 2000 comes with 1 meg of ram and nothing else for around $1300 or so, and with the Power Up! deal, you can get a 3000 for much less than $2000 with a 25 or 16 mHz 68030, 2 megs of ram, and a 50 meg HDD. Good, solid system there. I would get it! > > * Music people: what kind of price range are we talking about > for going MIDI? I don't currently own a synth, so add whatever > price is needed for an adequate keyboard - just something > to interface for real-time data input, but live performance > isn't a priority. Also, what kind of software is out there? MIDI: Around $50 for the interface, and then the synth is anywhere from $200 to $20000. It all depends on your needs; I'm going to be getting a nice little Yamaha PSS-something for about $239 soon, and it's suitable for me. It's also likely the ONLY MIDI instrument I'll have unless I borrow my friends drum set/triggers/brain/sound bank, but that's not likely <G>. Lots of software for MIDI on the Amiga, but some would say not enough. On the low end, there's plenty, but if you're planning on being a MIDI pro, then I have no idea.... > > The plan is if I can afford and justify the cost and need for the 3000, go > for the upgrade plan (I have an old 64), but I'm not at all sure if I do > need something like the 3000. Any info I would really appreciate. Please > e-mail all responses to: I think you should go the 3000 route. If I had known of the Power Up! deal when I sold my 1000, I would have likely gone that route. I ended up spending $1650 for a used 2000 with 3 megs of ram, a 40 meg HD, and a mitsubishi diamond scan monitor, but I could have gotten a 3000 for just a few hundred more, oh, that's excluding monitor, but it IS new, you know <I hope!>.. Bye, and sorry for the H-U-G-E message, this is unlike me.. NOT! David Now the world has gone to bed, MoonHawk@Bluemoon.uucp ////|all Darkness won't engulf my head, moonhawk%bluemoon@nstar.rn.com //// |hail I can see by infrared, \\\\///__|the How I hate the night. Yeah, this IS an annoying SIG. \\\\/ |miga