After some delay due to FedEX failing to follow Customs Clearance procedures properly, my "First Contact" AmigaOne X1000 computer finally arrived a couple days ago.

The box looked like FedEX had dropped it out of the plane at their distribution facility and then drug it behind the truck, instead of putting it inside the truck to make the delivery. I guess all those YouTube videos showing FedEX employees trashing people's packages are really true. Some of you may have already seen my posts about this on other sites, so I won't bore you by repeating my rant here. I will just say that the X1000 was packed very well, but no amount of packaging would have been sufficient to withstand the abuse that this package received.

Try to imagine the force necessary to bend a drive cage that has a heavy rolled edge, simply with the G force created on the internal hard drive, when this package was dropped (or more likely thrown) to the ground. This happened even though the computer was doubled boxed and the interior box was supplied with thick polystyrene foam inserts on all corners of the computer case. If I had not seen it myself, I would not have believed it possible. It looked like someone had opened the boxes, opened the case side panel and stepped on the hard drive with their foot, dislocating it, bending the drive cage and also dislocating the video card out of it's slot.

Unbelievable!

Anyway, luckily the X1000 still works properly and AmigaKit has already agreed to replace the case with a new one, while they are working out the insurance claim with FedEX. They are the best retailer I have ever dealt with PERIOD! Not just the best Amiga retailer, the best of any retailer/dealers I have ever had the pleasure of buying anything from.

Benchmarks are good for knowing some things, but I have to say that this X1000 with OS4.1.5 is a nice system. I am sure that I will experience some of it's limitations as I use it more, but my initial impression is a good one and I look forward to using it more in the future, as well as enjoying my other MorphOS computers and comparing the performance and features of both systems against each other.

More comparisons and maybe benchmarks to follow in the weeks and months ahead.

Disclaimer: X1000 is not for everyone and it is very expensive (but I am glad I bought mine and I am sure I will enjoy using it).

[ Edited by amigadave 19.02.2012 - 12:24 ]