AmigaOne is a series of computers intended to run AmigaOS 4 developed by Hyperion Entertainment. Earlier models were produced by Eyetech, and were based on the Teron series of PowerPC POP mainboards. In September 2009, Hyperion Entertainment secured exclusive licence for AmigaOne name and subsequently new AmigaOne computers were released by A-Eon Technology and Acube Systems.
History edit
AmigaOne by Eyetech (2000-2005) edit
"A week ago we shared with you our joy as we move towards the rebirth of the Amiga desktop platform. The AmigaOne and AmigaOS4 are projects that have occupied almost every day of our lives for the last two years. For the community, the wait and the false dawns have been unbearable."
- Bill McEwen CEO Amiga Inc, Executive Update, April 12th, 2002[1]
Originally in 2000, AmigaOne was the name of a project for new computer hardware to run Amiga Digital Environment (DE),[2] in later plans replaced by AmigaOS 4.[3] Initially it was managed by Eyetech and designed by the German company Escena GmbH. The AmigaOne motherboard was to be available in two models, the AmigaOne-1200 and the AmigaOne-4000. It was announced to have connectors for an optionally attached Amiga 1200 or an Amiga 4000 respectively, in order to use the old custom chips of an Amiga for backwards compatibility.[4] This would probably not have been actually possible. This AmigaOne project was cancelled in the design stage in 2001, mostly due to the inability to find or design a suitable northbridge chip.[5][6] Eyetech, who at this point had invested funds into the project, were forced instead to licence the Teron CX board from Mai to form the basis of the new AmigaONE computer range.[7]
The main difference between the ATX-format AmigaOne SE and XE was that the AmigaOne SE had a soldered-on 600 MHz PowerPC 750CXe processor, whereas the AmigaOne XE used a CPU board attached to a MegArray connector on the motherboard. While the MegArray connector is physically similar to the Apple Power Mac G4 CPU daughtercard connector, it is not electrically compatible. There were G3 and G4 options with a maximum clock frequency of 800 MHz and 933 MHz. The G4 module originally used a Freescale 7451 processor which was later changed to a Freescale 7455, both without level 3 cache. The G4 CPU runs hotter and requires a better heatsink than that supplied on some machines. Consequently, the G4 was often supplied underclocked to run at 800 MHz. In 2007 Acube offered 1.267 GHz 7457.[8][9] The Micro-A1 was announced in two configurations, under the Micro-A1 I (Industrial) and Micro-A1 C (Consumer) labels. Only the C configuration was produced.
Both AmigaOneG3-XE and AmigaOneG4-XE has four 32-bit PCI-slots (3x 33 MHz, 1x 66 MHz) and one AGP-2x slot. The Micro-A1 has only one 32-bit PCI-slot and an integerated Radeon 7000 via AGP with dedicated 32 MB VRAM.
When the AmigaOne boards first became available, AmigaOS 4 was not ready: they were supplied with various Linux distributions. From April 2004 onwards, boards were shipped for developers with prerelease version of OS4. The Final Update of OS4 was released in December 2006 for AmigaOne computers only, with the PowerUP version being released in December 2007. AmigaOS 4.1 for AmigaOne was released on September 2008.
MAI Logic Inc. went bankrupt, and consequently the supply for the Eyetech AmigaOnes dried up.[10] Eyetech Group Ltd retired from the market in 2005.[11]
AmigaOne by Hyperion Entertainment (2009- ) edit
In September 2009, as resolution of dispute over ownership of AmigaOS Hyperion was granted (among other provisions of Settlement Agreement with Amiga, Inc.) exclusive licence for AmigaOne (or Amiga One) name.[12] This Settlement Agreement thus created legal basis for new generation of AmigaOne computers.
In February 2010, a new company A-Eon Technology, in co-operation with Hyperion Entertainment, officially announced a new AmigaOne model, the AmigaOne X1000.[13] The project was delayed but the new platform was launched in 2012 with AmigaOS 4.1.5.[14]
In September 2011, Acube Systems introduced AmigaOne 500 based on Sam460ex mainboard.[15]
In October 2011, Hyperion Entertainment announced that it was launching an AmigaOne netbook in mid-2012,[16] but it was announced at Amiwest 2013 that the netbook project had been cancelled.[17] Unfortunately this notebook was never released like so many AmigaOS 4 related projects.
Also at Amiwest 2013, A-Eon Technology announced three new AmigaOne motherboards,[18] with the project named Cyrus. A-Eon has a list a of proposed names which can be voted for[19] and in January 2014 A-Eon Technology announced names for new models as AmigaOne X5000/20, AmigaOne X5000/40 and AmigaOne X3500.[20] The new motherboards are aimed to replace the AmigaOne X1000.
Lastly, A-Eon Technology announced at Amiwest 2013 that A-Eon signed a 1.2 million-dollar investment contract with Ultra Varisys for the ongoing design, development and manufacture of PowerPC hardware for its AmigaOne line of desktop computers.[21]
Models and variants edit
| Computer | Vendor | Timescale | Memory | CPU | Expansion slots | Hard drive | Connectivity | Peripherals | OS Version | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmigaOne SE | Eyetech | 2002–2004 | Varies PC133 SDRAM | 750CXe 600 MHz | 1x AGP 2x 1x 66 MHz PCI 3x 33 MHz PCI |
Ultra ATA/100 | 10/100BASE-T Ethernet | 4x USB 1.1 | 4.0 or 4.1 | This ATX format motherboard was sold only to developers and beta testers. |
| AmigaOne XE | Eyetech | 2003–2004 | Varies PC133 SDRAM | 750FX 800 MHz 7451 800 MHz 7455 933 MHz |
1x AGP 2x 1x 66 MHz PCI 3x 33 MHz PCI |
Ultra ATA/100 | 10/100BASE-T Ethernet | 4x USB 1.1 | 4.0 or 4.1 | ATX format motherboard |
| Micro-A1 - C | Eyetech | 2004–2005 | 256 MB PC133 SDRAM | 750FX 800 MHz 750GX 800 MHz |
1x 33 MHz PCI | Ultra ATA/100 | 10/100BASE-T Ethernet | 4x USB 1.1 | 4.0 or 4.1 | Mini-ITX format motherboard Integrated Radeon 7000 32MB (AGP 2x) |
| Micro-A1 - I | Eyetech | never produced | 256 MB PC133 SDRAM | 750GX 800 MHz | 1x 33 MHz PCI | Ultra ATA/133 | Gigabit Ethernet | 4x USB 1.1 | - | Mini-ITX format motherboard Integrated Radeon 7000 32MB (AGP 2x) |
| AmigaOne 500 | Acube Systems | 2011- | 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM | 460EX 1.1 GHz | 1x PCIe x16/x4 1x PCIe x1 1x 33 MHz PCI |
SATA2 | Gigabit Ethernet | 6x USB 2.0 1x USB 1.1 |
4.1 | Complete system (or motherboard as Sam460ex)[22] Integrated Silicon Motion SM502 SATA 3512 Controller in PCI slot |
| AmigaOne X1000 | A-EON Technology | 2012- | 2 or 4+ GB[23] DDR2 SDRAM | PA6T 1.8 GHz | 2x PCIe x16 (1×16 or 2×8) 2x PCIe x1 2x 33 MHz PCI 1x Xorro |
SATA2 Ultra ATA/133 |
Gigabit Ethernet | 10x USB 2.0 |
4.1.5[24] | Complete system and later also only the motherboard Integrated "Xena" 500 MHz XCore XS1-L2 124 coprocessor |
| AmigaOne X5000/20 | A-EON Technology | 2016- | DDR3 SDRAM | P5020 2.0 GHz | 1× PCIe 2.0 x16/x4 1× PCIe 2.0 x4 2× PCIe 2.0 x1 2× 33 MHz PCI 1× Xorro |
SATA2 |
Gigabit Ethernet | 8× USB 2.0 |
4.1 Final Edition | Complete system |
| AmigaOne X5000/40 | A-EON Technology | TBA | DDR3 SDRAM | P5040 2.4 GHz | 1x PCIe 2.0 x16/x4 1x PCIe 2.0 x4 2x PCIe 2.0 x1 2x 33 MHz PCI 1x Xorro |
SATA2 |
Gigabit Ethernet | 8x USB 2.0 |
4.x | Complete system |
| AmigaOne A1222 | A-EON Technology / Acube Systems | TBA | DDR3 SDRAM | P1022 1.2 GHz | 1x PCIe x16/x4 | SATA2 |
Gigabit Ethernet | 4x USB 2.0 |
4.x | Mini-ITX format motherboard Integrated graphics (DIU) |
Operating systems edit
- Linux for PowerPC
- AmigaOS versions 4.0, 4.1.
Other AmigaOS4 compatible models edit
The Sam440 mainboard (complete with AMCC PowerPC 440EP SoC) is an embedded motherboard launched by Acube Systems in September 2007. AmigaOS 4 was released for the Sam440 in October 2008.
The Sam460ex mainboard (complete with AMCC 460ex SoC, PowerPC 440 core) is an embedded motherboard launched by Acube Systems in April 2010. AmigaOS 4 was released for the Sam460ex in January 2011.
The Pegasos II mainboard (complete with PPC G3 and G4 CPU) is a MicroATX motherboard launched by Genesi and discontinued in 2006. AmigaOS 4 was released for the Pegasos II in January 2009.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Executive Update - Amiga Status Announcement" (Press release). Snoqualmie, WA: Amiga. 2002-04-12. Archived from the original on 7 June 2002. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
- ^ "Amiga Announces the AmigaOne" (Press release). Melbourne, Australia: Amiga. 2000-10-21. Archived from the original on 27 October 2000. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
- ^ "(OEM) License and Software Development Agreement" (PDF). justia.com. 2007-05-21. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ^ "AmigaOne 1200/4000 specifications for running the Amiga DE" (Press release). Eyetech. 2000-10-26. Archived from the original on 28 February 2001. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
- ^ "AmigaOne & OS4.0 update" (Press release). Eyetech. 2001-11-01. Archived from the original on 5 June 2002. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
{{cite press release}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 17 June 2002 suggested (help) - ^ "AmigaOne update 15 March 2002" (Press release). Eyetech. 2002-03-15. Archived from the original on 5 June 2002. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ^ "Mai Logic Incorporated And Eyetech Group Limited Partner to Capture New Amiga Territory" (Press release). FREMONT, CA: Mai Logic. 2002-07-09. Archived from the original on 14 July 2002. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ^ "ACube Systems new corporate website" (Press release). Bassano del Grappa, Italy: ACube. 2007-02-24. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
- ^ "ACube Systems: Company web page". Amiga-News.de. 2007-02-25. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
- ^ Proven, Liam (2007-01-03). "The Amiga is dead. Long live the Amiga!". The Inquirer. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ^ "20 Answers with Alan Redhouse of Eyetech". Amigaworld.net. 2005-06-06. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
- ^ "Settlement Agreement" (PDF). justia.com. 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ^ "Hyperion Entertainment CVBA and A-EON Technology CVBA announce strategic partnership" (Press release). Brussels, Belgium: Hyperion Entertainment. 2010-02-20. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
- ^ "AmigaOS 4.1 Update 5 CD for the AmigaONE X1000 "First Contact" system has gone GOLD!" (Press release). Wellington, New Zealand: A-Eon Technology. 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
- ^ "FILE N. 1: A new AmigaOne for all Amiga users" (Press release). Bassano del Grappa, Italy: Acube Systems. 2011-09-19. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
- ^ "Hyperion Promises An AmigaOS4 Netbook". Slashdot.org. 2011-10-23. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
- ^ Steven Solie (October 24, 2013). "AmiWest 2013 AmigaOS4 Team". Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ "Cyrus Plus Beta test programme" (PDF) (Press release). AmiWest 2013 (Sacramento): A-Eon Technology. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Cyrus Plus motherboard: What's in a Name?" (PDF) (Press release). AmiWest 2013 (Sacramento): A-Eon Technology. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "What's in a name? AmigaONE X5000 revealed" (PDF) (Press release). Cardiff: A-Eon Technology. 2014-01-08. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
- ^ "A-EON Technology & Ultra Varisys sign $1.2M agreement for new PowerPC hardware" (PDF) (Press release). AmiWest 2013 (Sacramento): A-Eon Technology. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "AmigaOne 500: Complete AmigaOne System". Amiga.org. September 19, 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
- ^ "AmigaOne X1000". A-EON Technology. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
- ^ "Update 5 Status Report". Hyperion Entertainment. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
External links edit
- Eyetech and Mai Logic - Mai Logic Incorporated And Eyetech Group Limited Partner to Capture New Amiga Territory
- The Register - Amiga returns with AmigaOne PPC hardware
- Eyetech - Archived page containing AmigaOne update and information on the AmigaOne partnership between Eyetech, Hyperion Entertainment and Amiga Inc.
- Amiga Inc - Amiga status announcement