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From: es1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Ethan Solomita)
Subject: Re: Wake Up Commodore!
Message-ID: <1991Mar20.223535.248@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>
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Reply-To: es1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Ethan Solomita)
Organization: Columbia University
References: <Mar.19.21.42.42.1991.16538@remus.rutgers.edu> <19996@cbmvax.commodore.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 91 22:35:35 GMT

In article <19996@cbmvax.commodore.com> daveh@cbmvax.commodore.com (Dave Haynie) writes:
>In article <Mar.19.21.42.42.1991.16538@remus.rutgers.edu> lcs@remus.rutgers.edu (Lyle C. Seplowitz) writes:
>
>>Kill the A500 already! Sorry folks, but Commodore needs to replace the
>>A500 with a better low-end machine, like an A1500. The A1500 could
>>look like a longer version of the A3000. Commodore needs to have a
>>low-end machine that is professional as well. A detachable keyboard
>>and expansion slots are important. An optional INTERAL hard drive is a
>>must. 
>
>Well, with all those changes, you're practically an A2000 already, and 
>certainly no longer a low end machine.  The A500 is a low end machine simply
>because its configuration is the cheapest way to make an Amiga.  Larger
>cases, larger power supplies, detachable keyboards, internal hard drives,
>and all that jazz cost money.  You don't replace a $500 machine with a $1000
>or $1500 machine.
>
	He does have a point, though. There is no intermediate
model, something between an A500 and an A2000HD (I don't consider
the A2000 a real choice for almost anyone, if you want more than
the 500 the 2000HD is an important jump, IMNSHO).
	What I would really like to see most is a system that is
self-contained. In its pre-packaged form is designed for moderate
usage. i.e. something with a built in 40MB HD. It doesn't have to
be too fast. Commodore could save some money and got something
that is slower than a Quantum, but not so slow as that drive in
the A590. A HD is really essential for a machine to be used for
anything serious, even Word Processing. It makes things so much
easier when you can have all your fonts available without
swapping disks!
	Also, it should have a moderate size. Probably the A3000
case, but possibly even smaller. It will have built in SCSI and
(what I consider important) the ability to put the Display
Enhancer onboard, possibly via a socketed chip. If it also had
room for onboard memory, then you wouldn't need ANY slots. You
could either use a side-connector like on the A500 or one slot,
if it is really considered necessary.
	Why do I think this is so important? Because Commodore
has to look to compete better for the person who wants to get a
computer that isn't overly powerful but meets certain minimum
standards, such as a hard drive and a detachable keyboard. The
computer mentioned above shouldn't be too expensive to make from
Commodore's perspective. If it could be sold for the A2000's
price, it would be a killer.
	I have seen so many people who fit this mold. At
universities, people get Macs or PCs over Amigas because they
don't want an A500 due to the design and the A2000HD still costs
more than they want and is enormous.
	Well, Dave (et al.) would such a machine be cheaper or
same cost as an A2000? How about if it had no slots at all, and
just a socket for the display enhancer chip?

>
>-- 
>Dave Haynie Commodore-Amiga (Amiga 3000) "The Crew That Never Rests"
>   {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!daveh      PLINK: hazy     BIX: hazy
>	"What works for me might work for you"	-Jimmy Buffett


	-- Ethan


A tourist in New York City was overheard asking a New Yorker,

	"Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the statue of
liberty, or should I go f*ck myself?"
