amiga
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Amiga
A personal computer series introduced in 1985 by Commodore. Amigas gained a reputation early on as advanced graphics and multimedia machines, and NewTek's Video Toaster application brought it to...
Dictionary
Definition: Amiga
A personal computer series introduced in 1985 by Commodore. Amigas gained a reputation early on as advanced graphics and multimedia machines, and NewTek's Video Toaster application brought it to the forefront of economical, high-end video editing.
The first Amiga was the A1000 with 256KB of RAM, powered by a 7 MHz Motorola 68000 CPU. Subsequent models used numeric designations such as 500, 600, 2000, 3000 and 4000, except for the CD-ROM based CDTV and CD32 in the early 1990s. Higher-end Motorola CPUs were also used in later models.
Amiga History
In 1984, Commodore acquired Amiga Corporation, which had developed a video game chipset. Modified for personal computers, the chipset was the key to the Amiga's advanced graphics for that era. Although the Amiga had a devoted following, by 1994, Windows and Macintosh dominated the personal computer world, and Commodore went into bankruptcy.
The technology was purchased by Escom, a German PC maker that sold it to Gateway Computer three years later. Only two years passed when Gateway sold it to a private organization that became Amiga, Inc. Under license, the Eyetech Group sold the more modern PowerPC-based AmigaOne until 2005, which ran a prerelease AmigaOS 4 from developer Hyperion Entertainment. The official release of AmigaOS 4 was early 2007, and Version 4.1 debuted in 2008. Parts, accessories and software are available from Leaman Computing (www.amigakit.com). See Commodore and MUI.
The First Amiga
The A1000 was the first Amiga model, which was introduced in 1985 by Commodore. For years, Amigas were considered the best example of affordable graphics computers, providing sophisticated features available only on much higher-priced systems. (Image courtesy of Amiga, Inc.)
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Remembering Jack Tramiel
Commodore founder Jack Tramiel died this week. His legacy of computers for the people and dreams for a better future live on.
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Commodore Amiga 2000 Teardown
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Commodore Amiga 2000. Released in 1986, the Amiga 2000 contains chips from Motorola, NEC, Texas Instruments, and more.
Additional Results
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Remembering Jack Tramiel
Commodore founder Jack Tramiel died this week. His legacy of computers for the people and dreams for a better future live on.
-
Commodore Amiga 2000 Teardown
Bill Detwiler cracks open the Commodore Amiga 2000. Released in 1986, the Amiga 2000 contains chips from Motorola, NEC, Texas Instruments, and more.
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Amiga introduces SDK for Windows
Amiga, which recently signed its first hardware partners in six years, announced a new software developers kit for Windows. The SDK provides developers with tools and examples to create Amiga...
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Can new hardware partnerships save AmigaOne?
Amiga has found support for its recently released AmigaOne hardware specification from U.K.-based Eyetech and German-based bPlan. But is it enough? Story to follow -- Richard Shim, ZDNet News
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Amiga seeks life through partners
After six years, new hardware is on the way from Amiga partners Eyetech and bPlan. But has the opportunity been lost?
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Amiga has Linux aspirations
Gateway Inc. may have big plans for Linux-based Internet appliances. But Amiga Inc. -- the company Gateway bought in 1997 and subsequently sold off...
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Amiga's new savior: Bill McEwen
In rural Washington state, Amiga's latest rescue effort has set up shop. But can it finally pull the Amiga out of obscurity?
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Amiga's new savior: Bill McEwen
In rural Washington state, Amiga's latest rescue effort has set up shop. But can Bill McEwen finally pull the Amiga out of obscurity? Story to follow. --Robert Lemos, ZDNN
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Gateway sells Amiga to startup
Gateway Inc. (NYSE: GTW) said it sold the Amiga name and remaining inventory rights to a former executive who plans to resurrect the Amiga, a pioneering personal computer first sold in 1985....
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Gateway sells Amiga to startup
Former Gateway marketing exec Bill McEwen is spending $5 million for the rights to resurrect Amiga, first sold in 1985.
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Jilted again! Amiga scraps PC plan
Company to focus on licensing its software rather than on making a multimedia machine, leaving its longsuffering fans heartbroken once more.
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Collas out as Amiga president
Top exec gone after less than eight months at the helm of Gateway subsidiary.
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Collas: Charting Amiga's new course
Can former Gateway big shot Jim Collas revive the fortunes of one of the cult computers of the 1980s?
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Meet new Amiga: Not like old Amiga
Can the reconstituted company recapture its former glory? If it does, Linux, Java and Jini will loom large.
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Gateway to bring back Amiga
The new Amiga Inc. will develop low-cost 'information appliances' based on Amiga technology.
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Amiga backers wary of comeback plans
Amiga says it plans to release a low-cost Amiga PC and an Internet appliance before year's end.
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