Re: Modern A2 successor

[processoroverclocked@33mhz.cjb.net (Jon Bettencourt)]

In article <3980656c$1@hal.grnco.net>, "Arkain" <rwking@no.usa.spam.net> wrote:

> As far as built-in equipment is concerned, here's my preliminary list:
> 
> 7 Extended Apple-style slots
> 1 Extended Apple-sytle Aux slot (Primarily for video controllers)
> System bus supporting up to 50Mhz(should be inexpensive to make)
> Onboard memory slots(SIMM/DIMM style: 1GB)
> Onboard EIDE-ATA drive conroller
> Onboard Apple-style Floppy controller w/ MFM support in firmware
> Onboard sound chip w/ Wavetable MIDI, Mockingboard Emulation, and GS
> Emulation
> Onboard VESA SVGA video controller w/ legacy support for the A2 & A2GS
> Onboard keyboard & mouse controllers
> Onboard Serial port chip (with SSC support)
> Onboard Parallel port chip (with Picasso support)
> New MMU with legacy support for the A2 & A2GS
> New 16 port DMA controller
> New Interrupt controller w/ support for 32 interrupts
> New 65832 processor(PGA based)
> System Monitor in ROM
> Applesoft BASIC in ROM w/ extensions for the new hardware
> GS Toolkit in ROM
> 
> I thought about SCSI, but it's too complicated and expensive. Better if we
> leave that for a card. I don't want PCI simply for the fact that it's too
> convoluted. The Apple bus architecture was simple, and I want to continue
> that tradition. This computer, just like it's predecessors, will have
> everything it needs in ROM. You'll be able to boot w/ no drives at all and
> get dropped off at a BASIC prompt. I hope I didn't leave anything out.
> Everybody.... tell me what you think?

That list looks pretty good to me! :)

-- 
Tammy and TIA ----> Jon.

= dimension18.cjb.net === ICQ# 76731065 === jonrelay@napanet.net =
In the words of Olivia: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!