>But then the P5 was meant to be released in September '92, now I think it's January '93.......
>The *announced* release date is 1994-1995, but then I don't think I'll be expecting it 'til 2000!!!
...
>What I'm really harping on about is when will it all end (never!). Why don't PC programmers use the hardware that's there??? Take a look at Calamus on the Atari ST, even running a 68000 at 8 MHz, it's faster than PM4 on a 386DX 25Mhz -WHAT'S GOING WRONG??? The PC programmer's favourite line in response to critism must be:
>"So it doesn't run fast enough?- Buy a bigger computer..."
I agree completely! Unfortunately, you have to look at it from the developers
point of view. Why in the world would you want to write a program that is
optimized for a 386 when you know full well that the 486 is going to come out
within the next year? Why not write a program on the speculation that it will
use the 486's power and offer more capabilities. The reason that your Atari
ST's programs run so well is that the ST isn't upgraded every six months like
the average PC is. The Atari developers know what they are dealing with and
know what the limitations are going to be. The fact is that Intel IS spitting
out these damn CPU's at such a rate that the developers can't keep up (even if
they are delayed over a year like the P5). Just because you paid $200 for a
piece of software does NOT mean its efficient.
And what makes it worse is Intel's announcing of the P6 and P7. Hell, if I see
either of these chips within the next 3 years, I'll probably faint. But you
know that Microsoft is already thinking about Windows/P6 when they don't even
know what the chip can do yet. Everyone's trying to get the upper hand...
leaving the consumer with a load of inefficient crap...
Its kinda scary when you realize that the most efficient software out there is
shareware...
In Search of the Ultimate PC,
Mike.
-Every now and then when your life gets complicated and the weasels
start closing in, the only cure is to load up on heinous chemicals and
then drive like a bastard from Hollywood to Las Vegas ... with the
music at top volume and at least a pint of ether.
-- H.S. Thompson, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"