This is a question that I’ve been pondering for ages. A “What if?”.
What would be your acceptable minimum specs for an alternative everyday computer/games system? Maybe not a complete replacement, but a useful secondary system.
In comparison to a few years ago modern computers:
Seemingly do almost anything.
Simultaneously more efficient, yet can demand much more power!
Near photo realistic graphics, but requiring £1000+ graphics cards to do it.
What would an alternative be like?
Something that maybe mixes the simplicity of older computers with the efficiencies of newer tech and manufacturing processes.
Not an emulation system, but something designed as a new ecosystem.
Keeping things simple, I think these specs would be enough for me:
32 bit CPU, maybe dual core, with a good FPU (probably an ARM CPU)
1GB RAM
Sound chip capable of MIDI, FM synthesis and PCM (CD quality)
Dedicated audio RAM (1MB) for FM and MIDI
2D/3D graphics chip or chips
Dedicated VRAM, 1GB
A dedicated 2D graphics accelerator; tiles, sprites, scaling, rotation…
100’s of tiles and sprites with effects applied
A dedicated 3D graphics chip with some fixed function features
Resolution: 1920x1080, 1280x720 or 1360x768, 640x480, 320x240 natively
Colour: 32, 24, 16 & 8 bit natively, palettes/colour look up tables
Inputs/outputs – VGA, HDMI, USB, stereo headphone jacks...
If using an ARM CPU there is some software already available that could be useful.
Option to boot to a version of BASIC designed to take advantage of this systems capabilities.
How much would something like this cost if mass produced? Would it be viable? (A "What if?" question).
What would your alternative system be like, or do you already have a decent secondary system like ARM, Amiga or other?