AmigaOne

AmigaOne is a series of computers intended to run AmigaOS 4 developed by Hyperion Entertainment, as a successor to the Amiga series by Commodore International. Earlier models were produced by Eyetech, and were based on the Teron series of PowerPC POP mainboards. In September 2009, Hyperion Entertainment secured an exclusive licence for the AmigaOne name and subsequently new AmigaOne computers were released by A-Eon Technology and Acube Systems.

History

AmigaOne by Eyetech (2000–05)

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 12, 2002[1]

Originally in 2000, AmigaOne was the name of a project for new computer hardware to run the Amiga Digital Environment (DE),[2][3] later plans replaced by AmigaOS 4.[4] Initially it was managed by Eyetech and designed by the German company Escena GmbH.[5] The AmigaOne motherboard was to be available in two models, the AmigaOne-1200 and the AmigaOne-4000 as expansions for the Amiga 1200 and Amiga 4000 computers.[6][7] 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.[8][9] Eyetech, who at this point had invested funds into the project, was forced instead to license the Teron CX board from Mai to form the basis of the new AmigaONE computer range.[10] The first fruit of this partnership with Mai, AmigaOne SE, was announced with a connector for an optionally attached Amiga 1200, in order to use the old custom chips of an Amiga for backwards compatibility.[11] However, no such solution was ever introduced.

The main difference between the ATX-format AmigaOne SE and AmigaOne XE was that the SE had a soldered-on 600 MHz PowerPC 750CXe processor, whereas the 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.[12][13] The Micro-A1 was announced in two configurations, under the Micro-A1 I (Industrial) and Micro-A1 C (Consumer) labels.[14] Only the C configuration was produced.

Both AmigaOneG3-XE and AmigaOneG4-XE has four 32-bit PCI-slots (3× 33 MHz, 1× 66 MHz) and one AGP-2x slot. The Micro-A1 has only one 32-bit PCI-slot and an integrated Radeon 7000 via AGP with dedicated 32 MB VRAM.

AmigaOne (SE and XE) motherboards had several hardware issues including conflicts between the onboard IDE and Ethernet controllers,[15] problems with USB device detection[16] and initially no support for the on-board AC97 audio. Due to the mistaken belief that the on-board AC97 audio could not be supported, the AC97 codec was removed from later builds of the motherboard. The technical issues preventing AC97 audio support were later resolved.[17]

When the AmigaOne boards first became available, AmigaOS 4 was not ready: they were supplied with various Linux distributions.[18] From April 2004 onwards, boards were shipped for developers with a pre-release version of OS4. The Final Update of OS4.0 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 in September 2008.

MAI Logic Inc. went bankrupt, and consequently the supply of Eyetech AmigaOnes dried up.[19] Eyetech Group Ltd retired from the market in 2005,[20] selling their remaining Amiga business to Amiga Kit.[21]

AmigaOne by Hyperion Entertainment (2009–present)

In September 2009, as part of the resolution of a dispute over ownership of AmigaOS Hyperion was granted (among other provisions of the Settlement Agreement with Amiga, Inc.) an exclusive licence for the AmigaOne (or Amiga One) name.[22] This Settlement Agreement thus created a legal basis for a new generation of AmigaOne computers.

AmigaOne X1000

In February 2010, a new Belgian company A-Eon Technology CVBA, in co-operation with Hyperion Entertainment, officially announced a new AmigaOne model, the AmigaOne X1000,[23] first presented at the Vintage Computer festival at Bletchley Park in June 2010.[24] The project was delayed but the new platform was launched in 2012 with AmigaOS 4.1.5.[25]

In September 2011, Acube Systems introduced the AmigaOne 500 based on a Sam460ex mainboard.[26][27]

In October 2011, Hyperion Entertainment announced that it was launching an AmigaOne netbook in mid-2012,[28][29] but it was announced at Amiwest 2013 that the netbook project had been cancelled.[30]

Also at Amiwest 2013, A-Eon Technology Ltd, a British computer company, announced three new AmigaOne motherboards,[31][32] with the project named Cyrus. A-Eon had a list of proposed names which could be voted for[33] and in January 2014 A-Eon Technology announced names for new models as AmigaOne X5000/20, AmigaOne X5000/40 and AmigaOne X3500.[34][35] The new motherboards were aimed as replacements for the AmigaOne X1000. The AmigaOne X5000/20 was released in October 2016[36][37] and - unlike the X1000 - sold via various distributors.[38] ArsTechnica review of the AmigaOne X5000 commended its compatibility with old Amiga applications and games, but criticised the very high price and lack of new software.[39]

Lastly, A-Eon Technology Ltd announced at Amiwest 2013 that A-Eon had 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.[40]

In January 2015, Acube Systems started selling AmigaOne 500 computers based on the Sam460cr motherboard, a cost reduced version of original Sam460ex.[41] Features that were removed included the Silicon Motion SM502 embedded MoC and 1× SATA2 port.[42]

In autumn 2015, A-Eon Technology Ltd announced a new motherboard with the project development name Tabor[43] based on a P1022 1.2 GHz SoC. The motherboard design is a microATX form factor with single PCIe slot and SODIMM memory slots. The full system is to be designated as the AmigaOne A1222.[44]

Models and variants
Computer Vendor Timescale Memory CPU Expansion slots Hard drive Connectivity Peripherals OS Version Additional Information
AmigaOne SE Eyetech 2002–04 Varies PC133 SDRAM 750CXe 600 MHz 1× AGP 2×
1× 66 MHz PCI
3× 33 MHz PCI		 Ultra ATA/100 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet 4× USB 1.1 4.0 or 4.1 This ATX format motherboard was sold only to developers and beta testers.
AmigaOne XE Eyetech 2003–04 Varies PC133 SDRAM 750FX 800 MHz
7451 800 MHz
7455 933 MHz		 1× AGP 2×
1× 66 MHz PCI
3× 33 MHz PCI		 Ultra ATA/100 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet 4× USB 1.1 4.0 or 4.1 ATX format motherboard
Micro-A1 - C Eyetech 2004–05 256 MB PC133 SDRAM 750FX 800 MHz
750GX 800 MHz		 1× 33 MHz PCI Ultra ATA/100 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet 4× USB 1.1 4.0 or 4.1 Mini-ITX format motherboard
Integrated Radeon 7000 32 MB (AGP 2×)
Micro-A1 - I Eyetech never produced 256 MB PC133 SDRAM 750GX 800 MHz 1× 33 MHz PCI Ultra ATA/133 Gigabit Ethernet 4× USB 1.1 - Mini-ITX format motherboard
Integrated Radeon 7000 32 MB (AGP 2×)
AmigaOne 500 Acube Systems 2011-14 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 460EX 1.15 GHz 1× PCIe x16/x4
1× PCIe x1
1× 33 MHz PCI		 SATA2 Gigabit Ethernet 6× USB 2.0
1× USB 1.1		 4.1 Complete system (or motherboard as Sam460ex)[45]
Integrated Silicon Motion SM502
SATA 3512 Controller in PCI slot
January 8, 2015 460EX 1.10 GHz Provided via a PCI interface card 4.1 Final Edition Complete system (or motherboard as Sam460cr)
SATA SiI3114 Controller in PCI slot
Envy24HT audio card in PCIe x1 slot
AmigaOne X1000 A-EON Technology 2012–15 2 or 4+ GB[46] DDR2 SDRAM PA6T 1.8 GHz 2× PCIe x16 (1×16 or 2×8)
2× PCIe x1
2× 33 MHz PCI
1× Xorro		 SATA2
Ultra ATA/133		 Gigabit Ethernet 10× USB 2.0
 4.1 Update 5[47] 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 Integrated "Xena" 500 MHz XCore XS1-L2 124 coprocessor

Operating systems
  • Linux for PowerPC.
  • AmigaOS versions 4.0, 4.1.
  • MorphOS support for AmigaOne 500 / SAM460 was announced in 2012[48] and introduced with MorphOS 3.8.[49] Support for X5000 was introduced with MorphOS 3.10.[50]
  • FreeBSD.

Other AmigaOS4 compatible models

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. A cost reduced version, the Sam460cr, was released with AmigaOS 4.1 Final Edition on January 8, 2015.

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

References
  1. "Executive Update - Amiga Status Announcement" (Press release). Snoqualmie, WA: Amiga. April 12, 2002. Archived from the original on June 7, 2002. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  2. "Amiga Announces the AmigaOne" (Press release). Melbourne, Australia: Amiga. October 21, 2000. Archived from the original on October 27, 2000. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  3. Smith, Tony (October 23, 2000). "Amiga unveils next-gen hardware spec But manufacturers support seems very thin on the ground". The Register. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  4. "(OEM) License and Software Development Agreement" (PDF). justia.com. May 21, 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  5. Harvey, Sven (November 12, 2015). "The Amiga Part Two, AmigaOne". Micro Mart. No. 1388. Dennis Publishing. p. 65. ISSN 1473-0251.
  6. "AmigaOne 1200/4000 specifications for running the Amiga DE" (Press release). Eyetech. October 26, 2000. Archived from the original on February 28, 2001. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  7. "AmigaONE announced". Amiga Active. No. 15. Pinprint Publishing. December 2000. pp. 6–7. ISSN 1467-3533.
  8. "AmigaOne & OS4.0 update" (Press release). Eyetech. November 1, 2001. Archived from the original on June 17, 2002. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  9. "AmigaOne update 15 March 2002" (Press release). Eyetech. March 15, 2002. Archived from the original on June 5, 2002. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  10. "Mai Logic Incorporated And Eyetech Group Limited Partner to Capture New Amiga Territory" (Press release). FREMONT, CA: Mai Logic. July 9, 2002. Archived from the original on July 14, 2002. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  11. "Amiga-News, AMIGA und AmigaOne". Amiga Future (in German). No. 36. APC&TCP. May 2002. p. 5.
  12. "ACube Systems new corporate website" (Press release). Bassano del Grappa, Italy: ACube. February 24, 2007. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  13. "ACube Systems: Company web page". Amiga-News.de. February 25, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  14. Klaß, Christian (August 31, 2004). "μ-A1 - Amiga-Boards im Mini-ITX-Formfaktor". Golem.de. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  15. "AmigaOne: Probleme beim Zusammenspiel von Onboard-IDE und Ethernet" (in German). Amiga-News.de. October 4, 2004. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  16. "AmigaOne XE: USB-Probleme, Neues vom Hardware-Fix" (in German). Amiga-News.de. January 10, 2005. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  17. "AmigaOne: Sammelbestellung für Onboard-Soundchips" (in German). Amiga-News.de. April 10, 2006. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  18. Reimer, Jeremy (January 18, 2005). "The Micro-AmigaOne and Amiga OS4 Developer Prerelease (Update 1)". Ars Technica. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  19. Proven, Liam (January 3, 2007). "The Amiga is dead. Long live the Amiga!". The Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  20. "20 Answers with Alan Redhouse of Eyetech". Amigaworld.net. June 6, 2005. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  21. "AmigaKit.com acquires Eyetech Classic Amiga Stock". Amiga.org. September 21, 2006. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  22. "Settlement Agreement" (PDF). justia.com. December 17, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  23. "Hyperion Entertainment CVBA and A-EON Technology CVBA announce strategic partnership" (Press release). Brussels, Belgium: Hyperion Entertainment. February 20, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  24. Orlowski, Andrew (June 21, 2010). "Son of Transputer powers new Amiga box". The Register. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  25. "AmigaOS 4.1 Update 5 CD for the AmigaONE X1000 "First Contact" system has gone GOLD!" (Press release). Wellington, New Zealand: A-Eon Technology. January 25, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  26. "FILE N. 1: A new AmigaOne for all Amiga users" (Press release). Bassano del Grappa, Italy: Acube Systems. September 19, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  27. Windeck, Christof (September 20, 2011). "Amiga-System mit PowerPC-SoC". c't magazin. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  28. "Hyperion Promises An AmigaOS4 Netbook". Slashdot.org. October 23, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  29. Klaß, Christian (October 26, 2011). "Amiga-Netbook in Vorbereitung". golem.de. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  30. Steven Solie (October 24, 2013). "AmiWest 2013 AmigaOS4 Team". Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  31. "Cyrus Plus Beta test programme" (PDF) (Press release). Sacramento: A-Eon Technology. October 18, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 8, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  32. "AmiWest 2013". Amiga Future (in German). No. 106. APC&TCP. January 2014. pp. 14–.
  33. "Cyrus Plus motherboard: What's in a Name?" (PDF) (Press release). AmiWest 2013 (Sacramento): A-Eon Technology. October 18, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 8, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  34. "What's in a name? AmigaONE X5000 revealed" (PDF) (Press release). Cardiff: A-Eon Technology. January 8, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  35. "X5000 "Cyrus"". Amiga Future (in German). No. 108. APC&TCP. May 2014.
  36. "AmiWest: Dickinson and Solie talk about A-EON's and Hyperion's current projects". Amiga-News.de. October 8, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  37. Ožanić, Domagoj; Vrbanus, Sandro (October 24, 2016). "Amiga iz 21. stoljeća je u prodaji". BUG Online (in Croatian). Archived from the original on June 17, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  38. "AmigaOne X5000 can be purchased in several webshops". Amiga-News.de. October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  39. Reimer, Jeremy (May 24, 2017). "The A-EON Amiga X5000: An alternate universe where the Amiga platform never died". Ars Technica. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  40. "A-EON Technology & Ultra Varisys sign $1.2M agreement for new PowerPC hardware" (PDF) (Press release). AmiWest 2013 (Sacramento): A-Eon Technology. October 18, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 28, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  41. "AmigaOne 500 Acube Systems Srl Online Shop". Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  42. "After the Sam460ex here comes the Sam460cr" (Press release). Bassano del Grappa, Italy: Acube Systems. October 25, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  43. "Amiga 30 Jahre Event in Neuss / Deutschland". Amiga Future (in German). No. 117. APC&TCP. November 2015. p. 16.
  44. "Introducing Tabor and the A1222" (PDF) (Press release). San Francisco: A-Eon Technology. October 19, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  45. "AmigaOne 500: Complete AmigaOne System". Amiga.org. September 19, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  46. "AmigaOne X1000". A-EON Technology. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  47. "Update 5 Status Report". Hyperion Entertainment. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  48. "Morphos Debuts on SAM460". OSNews.com. December 10, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  49. "MorphOS - Release Notes - Version 3.8". morphos-team.net. May 15, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  50. "MorphOS - Release Notes - Version 3.10". morphos-team.net. March 25, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  • 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
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