🚀 go-pugleaf

*** I am not a bug!  I am a feature! ***

   The December 10 issue of Electronic Engineering Times has an article on
Atari's new computers which I've briefly summerised below.

THE NEW ATARI 16-BIT COMPUTER             THE PLANNED 32-BIT ATARI COMPUTER

* 16-bit 8088 microprocessor               * 32-bit 68000 family (68008?)
                                             microprocessor
* 128-256 kbytes of RAM
                                           * 256 kbytes RAM standard
* Single 3-1/2-inch drive for MS-            (using low-cost 64k chips)
  DOS software
                                           * Custom gate-array graphics and
* Custom VLSI circuitry                      audio circuitry

* PC-DOS-like operating system             * ROM operating system (like
                                             Macintosh)
* Software is expected to be
  compatible with 3-1/2-inch MS-           * Ability to do hi-res color
  DOS packages for new IBM PCs,              graphics on home TVs
  and PC-compatible portables
  with 3-1/2-inch drives.                  * Accept ROM-cartridge software,
                                             3-1/2-inch microfloppy media

Options for each:  Networking hardware, modems, hard disks, coprocessor em-
 ulation modules (IBM, Atari).

   Regarding the Atari/Amiga/Commodore situation:  When Tramel took over
Atari he apparently assumed that many of the custom graphic and audio chips
developed by Amiga in conjunction with Atari would be available to the new
Atari Corp.  Just a few days before Tramel acquired Atari, however, Amiga
returned Atari's payments and declared that the chips did not perform as
contracted.
   Commodore has now acquired Amiga and is expected to show the new 68000-
based computer at next month's Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.  Tramel
has filed suit against Amiga, arguing that Atari is entitled to the technology.
This suit has not been settled.
   One of the high points of the new computers is that they will use custom 
gate-array chips to produce high-quality color graphic displays on home
television set screens, making an expensive hi-res monitor unecessary.  This
should allow the new machines to be in the $400 to $1000 range.
   If Tramel succeeds in showing the new 16-bit machine at the CES show in
January it's believed that it could be available by late spring.

-- 
Kevin Thompson   {ucbvax,ihnp4!nsc}!voder!kevin

"It's sort of a threat, you see.  I've never been very good at them
  myself but I'm told they can be very effective."