From: kominetz@cbmvax.commodore.com (John Kominetz - CATS)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.advocacy,comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: Re: EGGPLANT, IMPLANT, EMPATH, BLAZEPLANT...
Date: 16 Nov 92 17:58:26 GMT
Reply-To: kominetz@cbmvax.commodore.com (John Kominetz - CATS)
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA

In article <1Xa7TB9w165w@bugend.edvina.se> ralph@bugend.edvina.se (Staffan Vilcans) writes:
>dtiberio@csws20.ic.sunysb.edu (David Tiberio) writes:
>
>> 	EMPLANT = DEATH OF HIGH PRICED MACINTOSH.
>> 	FULL MACINTOSH QUADRA SYSTEMS FOR UNDER $4,000.
>
>Well, I doubt that *even* if the Emplant works. I don't think Apple
>will give up without a fight.
>

I have not actually *seen* an Emplant board.  I have heard some of the
following from Compuserve, but it is just hearsay at this point:

	1.  It is not Workbench 2.0--and therefore neither 3.0--compatible.
	2.  It is not 68040 compatible.
	3.  It may crash on a 68000-based system.
	4.  It requires you to illegally software-copy Mac ROMs.

The first three points limit this product to A2500 systems running 1.3--this
is maybe 3% of the Amigas that have been sold, maybe less.  From that, it is
safe to say this product has a small market and fails to support the real
Amiga market, the A500/A501 owner.

As for the forth point, if this is the case, Jim Drew will wish he had never
been born.  Screwing with Apple and its seasoned Legal Department is something
to avoid, and they *WILL* get him if he recommending this.  I find it 
impossible to believe anybody would willingly put his head on Apple's
chopping block, but stranger things have happened.

A more accurate comparison can be made between A-MAX and Macintoshes.  The
A-MAX will run on any Amiga in cartridge form and has extended features for
those that have a Zorro II slot.  In fact, the best comparison would be 
between a Mac Classic II and an A600/A601 with the cartridge:

COST:
	Mac Classic II 					 $959	(CompUSA)


	A600HD  (1MB ram, 40MB IDE drive)		 $599	(Software Hut)
	1MB RAM expander			         $149   (?)
	1084S monitor					 $279   (S.H.)
							-----
							$1027
	
	AMAX Emulator					 $135   (S.H.)
	External Macintosh Drive			 $200   (?)
	Macintosh ROMs					 $100   (?)
							-----
							 $435

	TOTAL A600/AMAX System				$1462


Common MAC Features:  
	o  Run System 7.0
	o  16-bit system architecture
	o  B&W Display (1 bit-plane)

A600/AMAX Features:
	o  68000 processor
	o  2MB RAM
	o  40MB IDE Hard Drive (At least 5MB used for AmigaDOS)
	o  Up to 768x482 display with flicker, 768x241 without

	+  about 10% faster screen updating than 68000 Mac

Mac Classic II Features:
	o  68030 processor
	o  4 MB RAM
	o  80MB SCSI Hard Drive
	o  512x384 display

Pros and Cons of AMAX/A600 Emulator

	+  Current Amiga Owners spend under $500 for ability to run Mac
	     software.
	+  Can emulate ImageWriter (poorly) or use one directly.
	+  Larger screen display.

	-  Slower processor.
	-  Less RAM.
	-  Smaller Hard Drive.
	-  NO SCSI connector.
	-  Large screens cause annoying flicker.
	-  No standard Apple ports.
	-  More difficult to set up and start (Emulator).
	-  Not 100% compatible with software/hardware add-ons.
	-  needs special external drive to read Mac formats.
	-  does not support Mac high-density disks.

The minuses outweigh the pluses substantially.  Buying an A600/AMAX system
just to emulate a Mac is not effective; you get less MAC computer for more 
money.  If you already have the Amiga and you need access to some Macintosh 
stuff, it is cheaper than buying a real Mac.

Personally, I find emulation more annoying than useful.  I have used AMAX, 
AMAX-II, AMAX-II+, various Bridgeboards (hardware PC emulation), and CrossPC 
(software PC emulation).  None are as satisfying as using the actual system.
For accomplishing work and avoiding hastle, buy the real thing.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.advocacy