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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:AMIGA NOTES
Notice:Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:HYDRA::MOORE
Created:Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5378
Total number of notes:38326

4636.0. "Bridgeboard Vs. discrete AT PC." by CSC32::K_APPLEMAN () Wed Mar 27 1991 10:34

    I am debating whether to buy a Zenith 286 AT machine or a BridgeBoard
    AT for my 3000.  I know the Bridgeboard only does CGA, so I would
    probably want to buy a EGA card for the remianing AT slot in the 3000.
    
    My question is:  Would I be better off with the BridgeBoard or an
    entirely separate AT pc?  The price of the used Zenith will be less
    than the bridgeboard card and comes with a 20 meg hard drive and 1 meg
    of memory.  Is there any advantage to the bridgeboard (other than
    saving space on my computer desk)?  How about the capability of reading
    3.5" floppies on the bridgeboard.  I know it comes with the 5 1/4
    drive.  Does this drive connect directly to the bridgeboard or does it
    connect to the external floppy connector on the back of the 3000?
    
    I assume the bridgeboard can use all of the 3.5 meg availible memory i
    have installed on the 3000.
    
    Any suggestions would be appreciated.
    
    Ken
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
4636.1Winner is ... descrete AT PC!KAHUNA::SUMNERWed Mar 27 1991 10:486
    I'm also getting a 286 machine.  The AT bridgeboard has to many
    limitations, and the cost is, IMO, way to much.  At least with 
    the Zenith there is expandability.  For myself, I wouldn't even
    consider the AT bridgeboard.
    
    ~Ray
4636.2Thanks, RayCSC32::K_APPLEMANWed Mar 27 1991 12:499
    Thanks for your opinion ray.  BTW, the price of the bridgeboard just
    came down.  I almost had a heart attack when I saw the original price
    of the bridgeboard AT.  BriWall has it now for $699.  Still, you would 
    want to buy a EGA card for decent graphics.  
    
    Any other opinions?
    
    Ken
4636.3DELNI::MEYERDave MeyerWed Mar 27 1991 20:259
    	For the 3000, it's either a Bridgeboard or a clone and the clone is
    the cheaper option. If you have an unaccelerated 68000 machine you can
    go with the inexpensive ATonce if your needs are limited to what an
    anemic AT can accomplish. If you really need a clone with performance
    then you have no option other than a second machine and another of
    everything on it. Screen, HD, FPU, modem, mouse, memory cards, ... and
    on into heavy $$$.
    	Q: why would you need "decent graphics" on a PC if you had an Amiga
    on your desk ?  Heavy redundancy ?
4636.4Get what you needULTRA::KINDELBill Kindel @ LTN1Wed Mar 27 1991 21:0321
    Re .3:

>   	For the 3000, it's either a Bridgeboard or a clone and the clone is
>   the cheaper option. If you have an unaccelerated 68000 machine you can
>   go with the inexpensive ATonce if your needs are limited to what an
>   anemic AT can accomplish. If you really need a clone with performance
>   then you have no option other than a second machine and another of
>   everything on it. Screen, HD, FPU, modem, mouse, memory cards, ... and
>   on into heavy $$$.
    
    Gee Dave, if you think a 7MHz AT is anemic, you ought to try an XT (or
    the Transformer).  However, you point's well-taken.  It's no challenge
    at ALL to find a good-sized 286/386SX clone machine with 40MB+ of hard
    disk, 2-4MB RAM and EGA/VGA graphics and monitor for little more than
    the cost of the AT BridgeBoard.  If that's what you need, get it.
    
>   	Q: why would you need "decent graphics" on a PC if you had an Amiga
>   on your desk ?  Heavy redundancy ?
    
    Unfortunately, some MS-DOS applications still have no AmigaDOS
    equivalent and may also need a decent graphics interface.
4636.5Went ahead and got the PCCSC32::K_APPLEMANThu Mar 28 1991 09:2718
    re .3, .4
    
    The only reason I want decent graphics (I'm talking EGA here) is
    because some programs won't run with just CGA (or so I've been told).
    Basically the only reason I want a PC is most of the good business
    utilities haven't been ported to the Amiga and those that are don't
    seem to be supported very well.  I plan to use the PC strictly for my
    side business.
    
    BTW, I went ahead and purchased the Zenith 200 (286 clone) last night.
    It has the hires EGA card, game card, 1 meg of memory, 20 meg hard
    drive, serial and parallel ports.  Paid $475 for it in good condition.
    I'm planning on building a switch box and using my Commodore 1950
    multi-sync on it so I can sell the EGA monitor.  Any thoughts on
    whether this was a good price?
    
    Ken
4636.6Good Deal!KAHUNA::SUMNERThu Mar 28 1991 10:2512
    
    If it's is good condition it's a very good price!  I hope I have as
    good as luck on finding a system.  I'm also getting a 286 for the
    same resons you did.  I have an XT, but can't run alot of software
    I need because of the 8 bit bus.  
    
    I just got my A2000HD a few days ago, and it's an incredible machine!
    It makes my clone a total bore to set at. 8^)
    
    ~Ray
4636.7I want a job like yours!GLDOA::STOUGHTONThu Mar 28 1991 21:146
    Amiga 3000? Where do I get a job like yours????????
    
    But really Ken I have just discovered that all pee-cees are going to be
    50% off via employee purchase starting 4-1-91.
    
                                            Gregg
4636.8Send in your resume, GreggCSC32::K_APPLEMANFri Mar 29 1991 09:0410
    When you're locked up in a building all day, you can save your money
    instead of spending it all at McDonalds, Wendy's, Subway, etc when you
    are out on the road.  :-)
    
    50% off sounds like a good deal.  If I were looking for a serious PC
    that would probably be the way to go.  Haven't put the Zenith up on the
    computer desk yet.  I have to make plenty of room for it (talk about a
    humongus case!!).
    
    Ken