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From: rtb@ihlpm.UUCP (Todd)
Newsgroups: net.micro.amiga,net.micro.atari
Subject: Another ST-AMIGA comparison
Message-ID: <489@ihlpm.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Sep-85 11:10:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihlpm.489
Posted: Wed Sep 18 11:10:35 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Sep-85 05:48:16 EDT
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Let's look at few facts on the ST-AMIGA comparison.

Software: There is software available for the ST right now.

	1. Developers kit with C, assembler, linker, CP/M 68K,
	   2000 pages of documentation. $300 (how much do you
	   think Lattice C for the AMIGA will cost?)

	2. PC Intercom. A complete terminal program with VT100
	   emulation, 20 programmable function keys, download
	  and upload capabilities.

	3. Express. A complete word processor with a download-
	   upload bare-bones terminal emulator included. Price $50

	4. Ram disk program from Michtron $35

	5. Wishbringer from Infocom

	6. FORTH-83

	7. HEX a real-time graphics game

	8. MUDPIES another real time graphics game.

Hardware:  Why is everyone calling the ST a closed machine and the Amiga
an open machine? Both are coming out with expansion boxes that have
slots for expansion boards. If the AMIGAS expansion box was already
available (or the AMIGA and the expansion box where available) THEN
you can say that the AMIGA is more expandable

IT will cost more to upgrade the AMIGAS ram because the AMIGA
uses expensive 64k by 4 chips instead of cheaper and more available
256k by 1 chips. There is already a way to expand the ST to 1 meg
for just the cost of 16 256k by 1 chips.

Many reports haver stated that the 600 by 200 text mode looks better on the
ST than the AMIGA. If you don't like the text on the AMIGA you are out
of luck, you can't put a monochrome monitor on the AMIGA that is as
sharp as the ST monochrome system. You can get a monochrome monitor
for the ST (the ST has a 600 by 400 mode) that has better resolution
than the MACINTOSH Monitor.

The CD ROM for the ST is an exiting product. If you think that they are
only going to use it for an encyclopedia you are mistaken.

Who cares that the AMIGA has Sprites and the ST doesn't. Programming
Sprites is a pain in the neck, and bit-blit graphics (which both the
ST and AMIGA have) is a better way to go.

You will note that in all these comparisons I tried to keep the issue
of price to a minimum. I am sick of hearing that the AMIGA is better but
the ST is cheaper. I guess that the only thing that both AMIGA
and ST fans will agree on is that the next year will be an exiting one.

						R.T. Bradstrum