pk1s+@andrew.cmu.edu (Paul A. Karlin) (05/10/91)
Okay, after a few weeks of gathering info (and some delay due to final exams), here's what I have gathered together: IVS TRUMPCARD 500 & TRUMPCARD 500 PROFESSIONAL ---------------------------------------------- * Big and ugly but inexpensive (under $150 for normal, under $200 for pro) * Expansion RAM fits on special card (up to 4MB (?), costs extra $$$) * When upgrading to a 2000/2500/3000, just pull the cards out of the TrumpCard case and plug them into the new machine's slot(s). * There have been (unsubstantiated) claims that TrumpCard may be unreliable, but I haven't heard anything specific. IVS GRAND SLAM -------------- * I received very little info (new product) * 8MB RAM expansion is possible GVP SERIES II ------------- * Probably the most expensive (typical mail order is $600 for controller plus 40MB Quantum HD) * Fits the design of the A500 really well * Comes with a power supply (one of the few where it's included) * No bus pass-through (special GVP "mini-slot" instead), but allows for 8MB RAM (SIMMs directly on controller) * VERY fast! * Everyone seems to say it's trouble-free * Supposedly not available without drive DATAFLYER 500 ------------- * Inexpensive (about $150 mail order) * Includes power supply * Designed to fit A500-case design (but I've never seen it) * Expandable to 8MB RAM (with separate card, like with TrumpCard) * Very little info available; all of it is vague. SUPRADRIVE 500XP ---------------- * Fast * Well-designed (relative to A500's case) * Typical package comes with 512K or 2MB RAM and 20/40/52MB HD (Quantum(?)) * RAM expansion is up to 8MB, but uses D-RAM (more expensive thanSIMMS) * Power supply available spearately -- may be necessary even though Supra claims the controller is "very low-power" * Not yet available without drive -- "coming soon" ICD AdIDE --------- * NOT SCSI! (Very big important distinction here) * VERY inexpensive ($115-$130) * Plugs into 68000 chip * Difficult to install (at least compared with SCSI drives) * A2000 version is usually 40 pin, A500 is 44 pin (slightly more expensive) * It is possible to find a drive small enough so that the entire thing can fit into an A500 without removing the internal floppy drive * No RAM expansion provided * IDE can control 2 drives (SCSI can handle 7 or 8) * David Tiberio <dtiberio@libserv1.ic.sunysb.edu> posted an overview of installing one in the A500. I saved the article, so I can resend/repost it on request. M.A.S.T. STARBLAZER 500 ----------------------- * Very inexpensive SCSI ($129) * Supposedly expandable to 8MB (increments of 2MB, $200 each) * Supposedly possible to add an inexpensive accelerator card, which will access RAM and drive at (truly) double standard speed. * NOT YET RELEASED (to my knowledge), may be quite a while COMMODORE A590 -------------- * Very fast controller bogged down by a very slow 20MB hard drive. Commodore does not (yet) sell it without a hard drive. * Expandable to either 2 or 4 MB RAM (not sure which) * Latest educational-discount price (5/3/91): $444 complete (20MB) Otherwise, probably too expensive. XETEC FASTTRAK -------------- * Rather expensive * Case is separate from machine (supposedly can support monitor's weight) * RAM expandable (2MB?) * 3 drives fit into the case Now for some general suggestions: * SHOP AROUND! Prices vary drastically, from mail-order to dealer, and even from mail-order to mail-order or dealer to dealer. * Try to figure out what you might/might not need as far into the future as possible. For example, if you plan to get a 2000 soon, give special consideration to the TrumpCard. * Keep in mind that while it's nice to have RAM expansion and a hard drive all in one unit, there's almost always more than one way to add RAM. * Always remember that even the slowest hard drive can be 20 times as fast as an Amiga 3.5" floppy drive, and even a small hard drive holds 20 times as much as an Amiga 3.5" floppy drive. * Ask lots of questions. Please let me know if you get any good answers. :-) I would like to sincerely thank all those who gave me information for this little list. I am saving this message, and I will update and repost it periodically, and I will resend it to anyone on request. Lots of thanks to: Todd L. Masco <tm2b+@andrew.cmu.edu> robc@newbridge.com (Rob Craig) dtiberio@eeserv1.ic.sunysb.edu (David Tiberio) Anders Andersson <andand@puckstang.CSD.UU.SE> Eric J. Schwertfeger <maniac@cleanhead.cs.unlv.edu> blgardne@javelin.sim.es.com (Blaine Gardner) Steve Sheldon <TAAK9@CCVAX.IASTATE.EDU> Jon P Baker <jpbaker@silver.ucs.indiana.edu> C506634@UMCVMB.MISSOURI.EDU (Eric Edwards) jkh@meepmeep.pcs.com (Jordan K. Hubbard) (credit where credit is due) --Paul Karlin pk1s@andrew.cmu.edu ******************************************************************************* Carnegie Mellon University -- Pittsburgh, PA -- Undergraduate Class of 1994