Re: The best way to upgrade your IIGS

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Lim writes ...
> 
> Get a PowerMac 603e (100MHz or above), get Bernie to the Rescue 1.3
> (Apple IIGS emulation), and transfer all your files to the new Mac.
> For each ProDOS disk (like games), make them into individual disk
> images. Set Bernie to the Rescue to PowerMode (full screen)
> 
> Now, what you have will be a real Apple machine with a IIGS running
> at blinding speed. I am using a PowerMac 5500/225, and it is like
> running a 100MHz IIGS (games are totally unplayable, but you can slow
> it down). DiversiTunes sound like the real thing, and the IIGS works
> perfectly.
> 
> What do you gain:
> 
> - Almost all IIGS applications/demos/games work. Consider it as
>   ROM 5 (there is actually a Rom 4 that is not released) machine.
>   There is expected to have some compatibility problems.
> - New Ultra hires modes (for me, 832x624x millions of colors)
> - New IIGS software that uses those new cool features (well, you
>   can consider those Mac stuffs as the new software you gain)
> - Perfect emulation of Macintosh. :)
> - New cool Finder that has better multitasking (than The Manager
>   and Switch It). It can launch IIGS and Mac software.
> - 44KHz sound
> - Much better monitor - all your IIGS software runs better.
> 
> With the latest Bernie to the Rescue 1.3 - when it finally delivers
> Wolf 3D and DiversiTune compatibility and real GS quality sound,
> running it on a PowerMac gives a much better experience than the
> real GS.
> 
> If you are more serious, try this:
> 
> - Launch Bernie To The Rescue on startup
> - Replace the Mac label with the Apple IIGFS label, remember to add
>   a plus (called it Apple IIGS+)
> - Change the startup screen to read Welcome to Apple IIGS+.
> 
> You can toggle between IIGS mode and Mac emulation mode (you can
> always consider IIGS emulating a Mac) using F8.


     It's an alternative with some advantages. However; what about your
pile of 5.25" games and utilities? Doesn't the 603e approach mean you
need to make space for the Mac _plus_ an Apple II to access all II
series software?

     How much Apple II software is actually available for Mac+Bernie on
net archive sites? Are Bernie users actively engaged in building such
archives?

     Virtually all current GS software runs fine on a 9MHz/32kB ZipGS +
hard disk + 4MB RAM GS. Extra speed is always nice to have; but, with
many present wares, a speed boost beyond 9-10MHz would hardly be
noticeable.

     Speed, RAM size, and the display are GS hardware bottlenecks which
have a minor (or zero) impact on use of current games and utilities.
Their main impact is upon development of new software and hardware
peripherals

     Why would anyone want to bother designing IIgs software _for_ an A2
emulator running on any decent Mac or PC? If it efficiently employs the
capabilities of the host machine, then it will run too slow (or not at
all) on a 4-8MB 10MHz GS. The only market will be emulator users who,
for some weird reason, want to run A2 software instead of the latest PC
wares.

     Like, if you're stuck with just a Mac or PC, doesn't it make better
sense to enjoy what A2 wares you can and wish to via an emulator; but,
when it comes to creating anything new, develop Mac or PC software?


     Apple II users are interested in hardware and software developments
for their Apple II computers. Basically, II users use Apple II's.

      

Rubywand