Article-I.D.: princeto.1200
Posted: Sun Jan 19 15:04:31 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 20-Jan-86 06:33:38 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: Princeton University EECS Dept
Lines: 21
Xref: watmath net.micro.amiga:1628 net.micro.atari:2465

I am working in a Physics-related research lab. Therefore, my view of
computer is based on the capabilities of data manipulation, real time graphic
representation of the incoming data. AND how easy it is to get the information
about the machine's hardware and bios ( dos also)---important when doing
custom interfacing.
After seeing the recent flame on the comparison between Atari 520ST and
Amiga, I am wondering the following things:
(1) Is there a bus expansion 'slot' to add a (say) IEEE488 interface ?
    (i.e. what is the bus structure in these machines ? Is it expandable?)
(2) Is it possible to add a so called math coprocessor chip for 68000 if
    one is available ?  I don't think the 68000 alone can beat the 8088 and
    8087 ( OR 80286/80287) combination in number crunching .
(3) Is the technical reference manual complete ? any bios listing ?
    dos information (low level) ?

For me, if it is difficult to do some custom interfacing or if it needs
overnight to get a theorectical curve ... then it is not worth (either
$400 or $1300) to replace my current machine (IBM-PC).
HP Wei  (wei@princeton)