X-Organization: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.i-amiga
Date:         Sat, 23 Jan 1993 23:41:00 EST
From:         RABID SPINACH <QCZUSEA@IUP.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: New Amiga user needs purchasing help

>Currently the Toaster will NOT work with a 4000.  To get it to work with a
                            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                            Odd, I thought that I had heard that the Toaster
        DID work with the 4000....  Just that the software for the AGA screens
        as not ready yet... This would NOT mean that the Toaster couldn't be
        run on the A4000 in the older resolutions until the new drivers came
        out, just that the software to run the new video modes wasn't
        implemented yet..

>3000, you need the 3000 Tower and a Toaster Cozy. (Unless you want to hack at
>the box with a blade.)  So the most common config is a fast 2000.  You want the
>fastes machine you can get.  So look in Amiga World etc. for ads for boards/
>GVP makes a very fast board and so does Progressive Peripherals, I think.
>Also, Quantum make excellent hard drives.
                If you are going to be looking for a Toaster system, you will
        DEFINITELY need a very LARGE and FAST hard drive... Best bet is to ask a
        number of the mail order companies which of their SCSI drives they
        recommend, compare their prices and recommendations, then (if you are
        still worried about this one) you might want to consult the nets...  One
        disadvantage about the A4000 is that currently, it does not come with
        a SCSI controller as a standard Hard Drive controller.  No matter
        which system you decide to get, I would HIGHLY recommend the purchase
        of a SCSI controller, since it will allow you to use up to SEVEN
        different devices (hard drives, Tape backup units, CD-ROM drives,
        etc...) which can become VERY useful when dealing with a Toaster
        system.. The IDE device handler found stock on the A4000 can only
        handle one drive which will most likely severely limit your work..(just
        remembered , the A4000 comes stock with an IDE 120MB hard drive to go
        along with it's built in controller, but you will probably want to get
        another card anyway...)  One last thing, the A3000T (tower system)
        should hold a Toaster card with no problem, comes standard with a SCSI
        controller, and is pretty much on sale across the board in the mail
        order adds....  The A3000's drawbacks?  It does not have the new AGA
        chip set, and generally comes stock with only a 68030 processor
        (although there is a new special form C= on machines that come stock
        with an '040 accelerator card, specifically, Creative Computers is
        selling a 3000T, 25MHz '040, 5mb ram, 200MB SCSI HD for US$2599.00).
        Overall, I would recommend getting the A4000.  The toaster WILL fit the
        box with no problem (or so I've read...), and it will work with the
        older graphic modes right out of the box....
>
>If you look in Amazing Computing you will find various mail order dealers.
>Reputations seem to depend on luck--one bad experience can make someone
>badmouth an otherwise good company, etc.  I have generally heard good things
>about Briwall and Safe Harbor, and I imagine Creative to be reasonably good too
>since they are so large.
********************************************************************************
   "Everything in excess!  To enjoy     |Rabid Spinach
the flavor of life, take BIG bites.     |(AKA: Erik Blank)
Moderation is for monks."               |(Bitnet:QCZUSEA@IUP)
  From the Note Books of Lazarus Long   |(Internet:QCZUSEA@GROVE.IUP.EDU)
        By: Robert A. Heinlein          | Smilies forever!! :-)  :-)  :-)
DISCLAIMER:  I am in no way connected to Creative Computers, or any other
company in any form, as either management, engineering, or sales, but if anyone
wants to hire me for an outrageous salary, I'm game!
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