Amiga PC's to use Intel processors......
(Investor's Business Daily)
Amiga Machine Won't Play Nice With Windows
Date: 6/30/98
Author: Matt Krantz
Microsoft Corp.'s got such a lock on PC operating systems that no one will
challenge it, right?
Wrong, says Jeff Schindler, general manager of Gateway Inc.'s Amiga division.
Next year, the unit plans to sire a line of consumer- oriented PCs. And the
machines won't run Windows. Instead, they'll use a custom-made Amiga
operating system.
Why use a new operating system? After all, the lesson of PC history has been
to ''be compatible or die.'' Indeed, not being compatible is what doomed the
original Amiga computer when it was part of now-defunct Commodore
International Ltd. Commodore sold Amiga patents to Escom AG of Germany in
'95, and few - if any - of the once-popular computers have been made since.
Amiga is starting anew, and it hopes Microsoft is too bogged down with
baggage to notice. By making an operating system from scratch, the machines
will run sound and graphics better than Windows, Schindler says. He also
promises they'll be much better at running several programs at the same time,
but they won't run Windows software.
Schindler recently spoke with IBD about Amiga's future.
IBD:
Why go head to head with Microsoft by developing a new operating system?
Schindler:
We're doing more than just developing an operating system. We're developing
an open architecture so (developers) can have an option. It's also nice for the
PC enthusiast. These are (hobbyists) who want a choice of being creative in
coming up with their own products. They don't want to be under someone else's
control.
IBD:
What will the Amiga be able to do that Windows PCs can't?
Schindler:
Since it's going to have a different operating system, it can take full advantage
of the hardware without all the legacy the Wintel world (computers using
Windows and Intel Corp.'s microprocessors) has built up. You can have
high-end multimedia at a lower cost. The OS (operating system) is designed to
be a true multitasking environment. This means you'll be able to go off and do
two or three things at the same time and not notice any effect on the PC. In
today's PCs, things slow down when you try to do this.
IBD:
The Amiga was going to use Motorola chips but now will use processors from
Intel. Why did you switch?
Schindler:
I wouldn't say switch. We're moving Amiga to a new generation and we were
looking for the best development platform to start on. We feel the PC has the
best architecture for development. Amiga's not a PC. But our development
system (equipment used to design software for the Amiga) is pretty much a PC.
But the end products that users will see will not be a PC (although they will
have processors from Intel).
IBD:
What will be the link between Amiga and its parent, Gateway?
Schindler:
Gateway's looked at us as a unique opportunity. (Amiga) was initially bought
for the patents. Gateway was building its patent portfolio. But we've found
more opportunity here. They're asking us to go off and keep moving forward.
We're a wholly owned but independent subsidiary.
IBD:
Amiga has long promised to release new operating systems. What's the rollout
schedule?
Schindler:
First we'll release version 4.0 in November '98 (for developers). This is really
the base to bring us to the next generation of Amiga, which is version 5.0.
IBD:
Will software written for original Amiga PCs run on the new versions?
Schindler:
The other thing we're putting into the Amiga design is the Amiga classic card. It
is the original Amiga's chipset on a card (that plugs into the new Amiga PCs).
That will make the new Amiga backward compatible. Developers will be
using a PC with essentially an Amiga inside.
IBD:
If Amiga is just going to be licensing software, who will actually build the
machines?
Schindler:
We've talked to several PC makers, including current Amiga developers. Many
people are sending requests of the possibilities. We're expecting them to build
everything from a low-cost box to a video workstation for multimedia. The
bigger companies (PC makers) will put their own names on their machines
with an Amiga logo. Others will want more of an Amiga brand. We're in the
software licensing business.
IBD:
Will Gateway make these Amiga machines?
Schindler:
I hope so.
IBD:
Will the Amiga PCs be compatible with Wintel-based PCs?
Schindler:
No. But we will support as much of industry standards as possible. Remember,
the generation for 5.0 is based on a new architecture. However, the
development system (version 4.0) will be PC compatible (to entice developers
who use Wintel-based machines to create Amiga software).
IBD:
Who are you targeting with version 5.0 Amiga?
Schindler:
We're looking for the percentage of the market that says, ''I'm intimidated by
computers and I don't want to spend that much.'' These are people who say,
''I'm mainly using my PC in home for entertainment and for general tasks.''
The new Amiga will offer Internet access for people who don't need a full
computer and don't want to spend much. Our target is the consumer.
IBD:
What about the following of high-end graphics-arts users?
Schindler:
We'll always have the high end. The Amiga design is scalable (can be made
more powerful if needed). But this market is not the bulk of our target.
IBD:
The version 4.0 Amiga PCs are being targeted to people that will design
software for version 5.0 machines. But could end users buy it if they wanted
to?
Schindler:
If we get a lot of demand from enthusiasts, we could make it available to end
users. We're planning to sell the version 4.0 machine through the Amiga
distributors, of which there are more than 300 worldwide. We're targeting
$1,200 for the price.
(C) Copyright 1998 Investors Business Daily, Inc.
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