• Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Andreas_Wolf
    Posts: 12074 from 2003/5/22
    From: Germany
    Addendum:

    > Dave Haynie has clarified that the Hombre's PA-RISC core was not supposed
    > to also act as the CPU in new Amiga desktop class computers (but only in
    > new Amiga gaming consoles): [...]
    > if Commodore had ported AmigaOS to the Hombre machines [...]

    New old info has surfaced:

    "Long-Term Recommendations
    [...]
    - Develop a new architecture based on the Hewlett-Packard PA-RISC and the 3D Graphics Engine and systems based on this architecture on a fast-track schedule. Options for systems based on this architecture include:
    -- CD3D (low-end CD-ROM- or cartridge-based entertainment and home education console)
    -- RISC1000/3D (mid-end personal computer) Initial development of this architecture is currently underway. For the console platform based on this architecture, the low buy-in cost/high licensing fee pricing structure discussed under Short-Term Recommendations should also be considered.
    -- Develop a new operating system for the PA-RISC/3D Graphics Engine architecture on a fast-track schedule. The basic configuration should be a scalable, multitasking operating system designed for entertainment and edutainment applications. Optional components should provide additional features necessary for productivity, multimedia, and other higher-end applications.
    [...]
    RISC/3D Release 1.0
    Suggested major features of an operating system for the RISC/3D architecture include:
    - Scalability
    - Modularity
    - Preemptive multitasking
    - Interprocess communication
    - Interprocess synchronization
    - Retargetable 2D and 3D graphics
    - Graphical user interface
    - Low processor and storage load
    The following additional features are suggested for mid- to high-end personal computer versions of this operating system:
    - Object-oriented computing environment, tentatively designated Athena
    - Outline font engine
    - Workgroup connectivity
    - Device-independent 2D and 3D graphics
    [...]
    PA-RISC/3D Graphics Engine Architecture
    Early design work is currently underway for an architecture based on the Hewlett-Packard PA-RISC CPU and a custom 3D graphics engine. In view of Commodore's position, two desirable system options based on this architecture are:
    - A low-end cartridge- or CD-ROM-based home entertainment and edutainment console, tentatively designated CD3D.
    - A low-end personal computer, targetted toward home entertainment, edutainment, and productivity applications, tentatively designated RISC/3D 1000.
    If the cartridge-based design is pursued, a CD-ROM drive must be made available as a peripheral, preferably at product launch. In addition, a high-end personal computer, tentatively designated RISC/3D 2000, could be developed from this architecture to address the productivity and multimedia market segments. However, in view of Commodore's historically limited success in these market segments, this should be considered only if a significant and recognizable advantage over competing systems is identified. This architecture is particularly significant because the capabilities that this architecture provides and, more importantly the types of applications (such as detailed first-person arcade, adventure, and simulation games) that these capabilities allow, will be necessary to remain competitive in the home entertainment market segment, which is the most critical to Commodore. [...] the PA-RISC/3D Graphics Engine architecture is essential to the long-term competitiveness of Commodore.
    "
    http://obligement.free.fr/files/commodore_future_products1993.pdf
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