Various news

2. The comeback of the EGS Spectrum - or: How to cheat the users

Some days ago we got the message, that the ZorroII(I) graphics board EGS Spectrum is available again, especially from American dealers. It is being sold with 2 MB of video RAM for around 190 US-$, which is approx. 173 Euros.

Usually we don't write about the quality of products, but in tests. But it seems, that the users are to be cheated with an old and much too expensive product, we feel compelled to make an exception in this case. When being introduced, late in 1993, the EGS Spectrum was very convincing in theory and in reality - no wonder, because no Cybervision 64 or other products of similar power existed. But the Spectrum cannot compete with with the speed of todays products, so it seems adviced to buy a (more) modern baord, no meaning, if as a new or a used product. E.g the 3D cards CyberVisionPPC and BVisionPPC of phase 5 don't cost much more than the Spectrum are are much more powerful as independent benchmark tests showed. Other powerful graphics boards can be gotten as used ones for much less money. The Retina BLT Z3 for example (for beginners), the CyberVision 64/3D (allround board of the middle class) or the already mentioned predecessor model the CyberVision 64 (the hot tip for non-3D-users with a ZorroIII-Amiga). And who wants a graphics board with good extension possibilities should consider the PicassoIV by Village Tronic, which is, as you know, not the cheapest one.