So What's the A6 Computer from STD Really Like?

from STD (A reprintfromQercus issue268) So what'sthe A6 computer like? really

Front cover and reprint by kind permission of Qercus magazine. The A6 What is the A6?

The A6 is a new generation of RISC OS computer. It is based around a high-specification PC running Windows XP. An emulation environment called VirtualRPC enables this machine to appear to RISC OS as if it is a traditional RiscPC machine, and so normal RISC OS applications can be run.

Can I run all RiscPC applications?

Virtually all, yes. The exception are those which rely on direct access to the parallel or serial ports such as the dongled versions of Impression, although the non-dongled versions work fine, and some modem diallers - internet connections are provided by the emulation environment via the internal modem or network interface.

How fast?

The A6 will generally run user applications much more quickly than the fastest StrongARM RiscPC. Applications which rely on the transfer of large amounts of data, such as DTP or graphics manipulaton will perform faster still. Such applications also benefit from 8MB of "VVRAM", which means that large screenmodes in true colour are no problem.

Our new A6+ offers further enhancements and even better performance - see the last page of this leaflet for details.

You're biased!

Yes, we are - we specified the A6 to offer an ideal RISC OS emulation environment and we're proud of our achievements. But don't take our word for it - enclosed is a copy of a review of the A6 computer which originally appeared in Qercus issue 268. The review is duplicated with the kind permission of Qercus and does not represent a direct endorsement of any product.

You can read further reviews at: Drobe: http://www.drobe.co.uk/features/artifact939.html and http://www.drobe.co.uk/features/artifact957.html

Risc World: http://www.riscworld.co.uk/ONLINE/A6/INDEX.HTM and in Acorn User Xmas 2003.

About Qercus:

Qercus is a fusion of Acorn User and Acorn Publisher Magazines. Subscriptions start from £17.95 for 4 issues, £49.95 for a full 13-issue year.

For further information about Qercus, please see http://www.qercus.com, email [email protected] or telephone 0161-969-9820. Please do not direct A6 enquiries to Qercus - call Stuart Tyrrell Developments on 0845 458 8803 or see the www.thea6.info for further information on the A6 and A6+ black on black snazzy computer hybrid So what's the A6 computer from STD really like?

For years we've been praying for a metal gloss and the front has a clear understand if we say that one test new RISC OS computer and within perspex fascia neatly framing the showed an Iyonix to be 14 times the space of the last twelve months controls, drives and ports. faster than a SA RiscPC; and the A6 someone turned on the tap. We have to be 14 times faster than the Iyonix. Iyonix and Omega and then came the Drives and covers neatly match; No it wasn't a valid test! chance to emulate RISC OS on they're black. And you really need to Windows. Now as anyone can install know — it isn't obvious — that the In the circumstances you will have to RISC OS on any Windows PC so you CD/DVD drive is there because it so rely on a subjective test from a group don't need a review for every neatly retreats into the background. of us working with the A6 over a machine. Do you? The main on/off controls are on a number of weeks and comparing its transparent black panel below the performance with A5000s, A7000s, a

As it happens we certainly do not ﬂoppy drive with lights behind the SA RiscPC (200MHz), and an Iyonix.

¢¡¤£¦¥¨§¢© © ¡ intend to review every PC that dealers panel to indicate on and hard drive ¢£¤ Testing various pieces of software,

choose to bundle with a copy of the action. At the bottom are headphone, ¡¤£¦¡ ¥¦ ¤§¦¡ and using the A6 to produce part of ¡

RiscPC-SE program. But Stuart microphone and USB sockets. Other !#"$¢% this issue of Qercus, makes it clear & &¡¤ '¡¤£(

Tyrrell Developments aren't just ports are at the back. % that the A6 is distinctly faster with *+¥(¡¨ ', anyone and they've spent some time ) most everyday tasks than the RiscPC carefully choosing the components for Access to the box is simple — using that is our normal workhorse. In their PC and setting the Windows three thumb-nuts at the back — but particular large graphics — our front and RISC OS software to work well STD assure us they have secure cover and David Cowell's pages are together. They're even developing options available for A6s destined for examples — appear without delay and extras that are neither RISC OS nor schools. pages can be scrolled through without Windows but an amalgam that makes pause; with the RiscPC there are the best of the two systems. That's Switching on is simply a matter of times when thumbs are twiddled! why we're calling the A6 series of applying pressure to one end of the computers from STD, and the transparent black panel and waiting. We found no tasks for which the A6 RISCubes from RComp, hybrid The standard machine boots through was slower than the RiscPC. computers. They are different and to RISC OS but can be set to stop at their performance is high. the standard Windows XP screen Keeping to applications that run on

with a one-click option to move on to -.¡/&*0$¢£+1£+ the Iyonix without using Aemulor, we ¥¨§ Stepping back a stage we'd better RISC OS. Once in RISC OS you * ¦(2&0 3§¢% found that the A6 compared well and

explain what you get as an A6 don't notice the difference between 4§+¡65879 # ¦ would be unwilling to argue that it's

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computer. It's a box, keyboard, the A6 and RO4 on any RiscPC. either faster or slower overall.

;<% 2¥= >?, mouse, and monitor. They're black Apart from the speed. Certainly the two are closely and neatly coordinated and box and comparable. monitor support the A6 logo shown at We went through all the bench-tests the top of the page. Whilst the that we could ﬁnd but we're not The A6 that I used was an early peripherals are standard — but good publishing them. This isn't to try to version that went through a range of — the box is special. Like the RiscPC keep you in the dark but to say that upgrades and I've no reason to when it ﬁrst arrived it has a quality of they're not relevant; the differences suppose that development has ceased. its own. It's small. It's very slightly between the architecture of the One late addition was something larger than 2 or 3 reams of A4 paper. machines are too great for any bench- called VVRAM, or Virtual Video The top and sides of the box are black tests to make any real sense. You may RAM. You may recall that the

Qercus 268 January 2004 24

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RiscPCs can take 0, 1 or 2 MBytes of — it doesn't use RISC OS software. It A RISC OS computer? Video RAM and the maximum runs the DVD player in Windows colours/resolution that you can access but in a way such the user is taken “Of course it's not really a RISC OS depends on the amount of VRAM seamlessly from RISC OS to the computer!” But it runs practically every installed. On a RiscPC with the DVD playing screen and back into RISC OS program that you might have maximum 2MBytes VRAM you can RISC OS once use of the player is may not be sufficient. have up to 32 thousand colours at a complete. Windows without the resolution of 1024 x 768 — my aggro — and there may be more to “It uses Windows!” Indeed it does — and normal working desktop. 16 million come; already available are !Dial and far more efficiently than the RiscPCs ever colours brings the resolution down to !HangUp which are simple controls did — but should you choose you can 800 x 600 which may be acceptable in for the Windows dialup account. ignore that part of the equation. school but isn't enough for many serious jobs. Of course if you're going to use the “It doesn't use ARM!”. Very true. And A6 to connect to the Internet then for this failure the A6 does not get our The A6 has 8MByte VVRAM and 16 security is a problem. The A6 comes pawprint award for a low environmental million colours at my preferred with basic virus protection software, footprint like the Iyonix. Don't be too resolution of 1024 x 768 is no Windows firewall turned on, and a scathing though if you use a CRT monitor problem. On the monitor I used, recommendation to use Norton as its energy wastage will be just as higher resolutions are possible with software. All software is included on damaging. the monitor screen acting as a window CDs that are supplied as backups as is on the total area available. the Virtual RiscPC SE CD. “You need to support RISC OS not Which leads me to an interesting Windows!”. So ensure your money is addition to the standard PC that STD I'm niggling if I say the bundled shared out between Stuart Tyrrell

have used. They have added a software is disappointing. There's Developments who produce the A6,

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graphics card to the computer which ' h plenty of it, and most of it is ¤eHf'ze¤¼ consequently has two connections for » excellent, but I'd like to see large for the A6, RISC OS Ltd who produce

the monitor; only one gives you the e :'¼Be¤: friendly neon letters saying that better RISC OS 4 for the A6, and perhaps

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highest resolutions and in our h and up to date software is available — RComp whose UniPrint you'll probably

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machine the other was neatly covered. and please support our software want to add to the A6. Somewhere down

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Compared to an Iyonix it is noisy; but » I'm one of those RISC OS users that way to Bill Gates &c — but you're likely to

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compared to an Iyonix everything is gi:jQÁ=h does not like Windows and strongly be paying him even more through your

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noisy. The A6's fan is brutally ¾ supports the concept of ARM taxes.

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efﬁcient — so keep the back of the ¤¤ processors. Despite that, the idea

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Judge the A6 — or the RISCube — for

computer pointed away from people B Qg e~½'e behind the A6 (and the RISCube) is

gi¤ Ä in winter! Á¢h appealing. If those like Chris Jarman, what it can do for you. If you just need who produced our cover illustration, RISC OS then buy an Iyonix or an There are differences from a standard and Joe Taylor, who starts a series on Omega; consider buying the cheaper RiscPC — other than speed and AppBASIC next month, can be RiscStation or a second-hand RiscPC or resolution. One ‘application’ that is brought back to RISC OS having A7000+. bundled is called !PlayDVD. It plays moved to Windows — then Virtual DVDs. Don't tell me that the RISC OS has a valid place and the A6 If you need both RISC OS and Windows RISC OS software isn't available yet is a great way to go Virtual. then the A6 may be just what you need.

25 Qercus 268 January 2004 Virtual A5000+ or more? So far I'm impressed. The excuses of the Virtual A5000— a teacher's view it may look outdated but it's far faster than an A5000 ever was— are gone. The screen looks as good as the box. Just over a year ago I took charge of a nice new portable computer courtesy of the British taxpayer. Thanks to you Before I was allowed to lay hands on the A6 John had all! Some say that teachers don't get any perks for a very insisted on letting me see the last Acorn Publisher cover demanding job but boxes of chocolates at Christmas and (volume 9 issue 6) on his StrongARM RiscPC. Now I my portable say otherwise. knew why; here was the same file and I clearly had to compare the two. Would the A6 be able to display the 66M As I reported in Acorn Publisher at the time (Acorn cover with the same ease as the RiscPC? The Acorn Publisher volume 9 issue 2) I immediately changed my original machine did struggle at a resolution of 1024 x 768 Windows XP machine to be a much friendlier animal and and 32 thousand colours and moving around the page was Virtually an A5000 computer — though much faster. After painful at times. On the A6 it was instantaneous. As a a year of using my ‘RISC OS portable’ I still get admiring teacher I'm used to tricks so I checked the file sizes on both comments and some colleagues and visitors have expressed machines; same files. There had to be an explanation and I interest in getting RISC OS desk machines on the strength saw the smile as I checked the display box on the icon bar

of pupils using my very special laptop. to see the 256 colours that was obviously there.

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I had heard of the Virtual RiscPC software but hadn't It was 16 million colours. At a resolution of 1024 x 768.

considered buying it when our editor asked me to look at a ¦

new (desktop) machine that was ‘just a little different’. Of course that's impossible. And I said so. But apparently Indeed it is! something called VVRAM makes it possible and the A6 has virtually 4 times as much video RAM as the maximum At ﬁrst glance the new machine reminds me of my ﬁrst available to the RiscPC. reaction to a RiscPC. It's different and it's exciting. It's certainly not a boring PC clone. It's small —about half the The only other RISC OS computer that compares is the size of a RiscPC — and it's black. With monitor, keyboard Iyonix. This is seriously better than any RiscPC and I have and mouse to match. All the ports seemed to be on the to keep reminding myself that under all this super stuff is front of the machine which is about as wide as an A4 sheet Windows and I really do not like what Windows or of paper. It's not quite as high as its width but it's a few Microsoft stands for. I concentrate on the noise. It's louder centimetres deeper. It was described to me as being the size than the Iyonix and the draught at the back would be and shape of a shoe box but is much smaller than the excellent in summer but in winter needs to be carefully

Clarke's box I took home last week; OK so they were boots ! #"%$&"'(" directed. Investigating the cold air leads me to ﬁnd a whole

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but they were in the sale — and maybe I digress a touch. new set of ports at the back of the machine and of course it

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-.¢/ , was obvious that they should be there as there was nothing Back with the A6, whilst the ports were at the front, there plugged into the ports at the front. There's clearly plenty to didn't seem to be any controls. I'm reminded of the Hitch investigate — I hope there's a good manual to go with this Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy and a vehicle in the Restaurant new A6. (at the End of the Universe) car park. This machine has black controls on a black panel and when you press the Hours later I'm convinced that the A6 will load and run black area here a black light comes on. Thankfully the light anything I can throw at it. There are none of the access is blue and, whilst noises are heard off-stage, I realise that problems that caused anguish with the Virtual A5000. there is a black floppy disk drive above the black control area. Later I am surprised to find that the black button Along the way there are more surprises though. above the disk drive actually controls the CD/DVD drive that appears out of nowhere near the top of the computer. When I pushed what I thought was the floppy drive button a CD drive had opened containing a DVD of an award- I know where I would have liked this computer. On my winning TV comedy show. I knew our editor didn't like desk at college. ‘The Office’ but maybe he was testing the Windows side of the A6. I hadn't realised that the drive was there —black on In the meantime the noises have stopped and Windows has black again— and in surprise I hadn't commented on the loaded and, with a slight tap, disappears to be immediately DVD itself. Of course I explored every bit of the RISC OS replaced with a familiar screen. It's RISC OS 4. I'm told desktop, including the new style of networking — in this that the ‘slight tap’ is optional and the Windows-to- case linked to a RiscPC and a RiscStation R7500. Until my RISC OS step can be automated. explorations led me to double-click on an unfamiliar icon

Qercus 268 January 2004 26 A6 hybrid computer

on the RISC OS desktop. Suddenly the screen is taken over What we didn't tell Sue by a ﬁlm and it is an old edition of ‘The Ofﬁce’. The A6 is playing a DVD under RISC OS. Click of a button and the Of course the DVD ran in Windows but the application on

DVD ends and we're back with the RISC OS screen. the A6 takes you from RISC OS into a restricted Windows

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environment and returns you directly to RISC OS once

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By this time it's no longer safe to assume that anything I completed. We've asked Stuart Tyrrell about providing

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(' lacks and it seems that such a step may be possible.

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We have 8MBytes of Video RAM on a machine that plays

% 2143!5%687 DVDs and it's meant to be an emulation of a RiscPC? The A6 isn't the only hybrid RISC OS - Windows computer. RComp produce the RISCube which is similar As I sum up the A6 I have to keep repeating to myself that in many ways to the A6. RComp automatically include I still don't like Windows. I haven't looked at the Windows their UniPrint software on the RISCube and this allows side of the computer — but it's there and can be used just you to print from RISC OS to any printer using the like any Windows PC. Presumably if you use Windows Windows printer deﬁnitions. STD offer UniPrint as an only when absolutely necessary you will reduce the chances additional option on the A6. of having problems. I'm told that this computer has had no software or hardware problems despite being run Neither STD nor RComp are using the word hybrid to continuously for weeks on end. describe their products but we think it's worthwhile noting that these two ranges of computers are more than just PCs Then John switches off the computer, unplugs it from the with Virtual RiscPC on top. We're using hybrid to describe mains power, plugs it in again and switches on. Within computers that run RISC OS on top of another operating seconds we're back at exactly the same point as when it was system (in these cases Windows) but offer more than you'd switched off with ArtWorks and Ovation loaded and one expect with either operating system alone. of Henk Huinen's mandalas on screen. It's a Windows facility. The computer has been asleep —not shut down— Both STD and RComp appear to take time and care to

and you're automatically returned to the point where you match computer with customer and both use their

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sent it to sleep even though the computer was unplugged in +/. 1¨@: experience of PC hardware and RISC OS and Windows

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the meantime. software to set up the machines to their best advantage.

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' ¨ABA Despite criticisms that the ‘only way to support RISC OS

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Now I know why the editor is calling this a hybrid ' is to buy a RISC OS on ARM’ computer it's clear to us that

5% E( (7 machine. It may run RISC OS but it's also pinching the buying from STD or RComp is also an excellent way of best bits of the underlying Windows operating system supporting a future for RISC OS. Even so we still think where RISC OS has a gap in its capabilities. that the best option for many people is RISC OS on ARM with an Iyonix, Omega or RiscStation. But would I buy one? The A6 and RISCube ranges now ensure that no-one has a If I was eighteen and on my way to university there would reason to leave the RISC OS world. The A6 compares be no doubt. Yes! directly and favourably with the Iyonix pc. You can reject Faced with a probable need to use Windows software I it on principle but not on performance or price. It's a would very much want a small and very snazzy machine distinct step up from a StrongARM RiscPC and it does that gave me that together with the productivity of a fast seem to run all the software that runs on the RiscPC with and friendly RISC OS machine. the possible exception of Vantage.

If I had to use Windows for work or because there simply If you have to use Windows as well as RISC OS, and don't wasn't a RISC OS option for another interest then I'd likely have room for a second machine, then we haven't the choose an A6 rather than buy both a RISC OS and a slightest hesitation in recommending that you buy an A6. Windows computer. I suppose it depends on where you We do suggest that you ask STD to include RComp's start. With an old RISC OS machine and a Windows UniPrint as an additional extra and in some cases you may laptop I'll probably upgrade to an Iyonix but VVRAM and need ‘Ofﬁce’ applications on the Windows side. DVD play through RISC OS, together with a small snazzy computer that runs just as fast, and I could be tempted. Over the next month we hope to be looking at another hybrid. This one is from RComp and in this case the added interest is that it's a portable computer. Sue Norcross teaches in a primary school in NW England

27 Qercus 268 January 2004

The new A6 from Stuart Tyrrell Developments Designed from the ground-up to complement VirtualRPC-SE All machines are complete with DVD drive or DVD/CDRW, fast emulation technology, the A6 presents a familiar RISC OS hard drive, floppy disk, Barton-cored 2500+ CPU, 333MHz environment in a machine little larger than a stack of A4 paper. DDR400 memory, GeForce 4 graphics, 56K modem, 10/100BaseT networking, USB, Firewire and Optical audio. Capable of running both RISC OS and Windows applications, Virtual RPC-SE, Windows XP and a fully licensed copy of RISC users can expect day-to-day RISC OS performance which OS 4 are supplied and RISC OS Select upgrades may be used. meets or exceeds the fastest traditional StrongARM machines. Keyboard and mouse are of course included, along with Disk and memory-intensive applications will take advantage of speakers where they are not integral to the monitor. the modern machine architecture to deliver massive performance increases. All at a price point associated with A6B: Base unit/DVD/40G HD/256MB RAM ARM7500 based machines. £599+VAT (703.83 inc)

All software is installed, starting-up into a "ready to go" RISC OS A6: 15" TFT/DVD/CDRW/80G HD/512MB RAM environment. Of course users may easily run Windows £899+VAT (1056.33 inc) applications should the need arise. A6DB: 17" TFT/DVD/CDRW/120G HD/512MB RAM The A6 is manufactured to exacting standards for Stuart Tyrrell £999+VAT (1173.83 inc) Developments by Advantage Six Ltd. Carriage: £25+VAT (29.37 inc)

Stuart Tyrrell Developments Email: [email protected] PO Box 183, OLDHAM OL2 8FB http://www.thea6.com Tel: 0845 458 8803 / 01706 848 600 Switch/Visa/Mastercard welcomed. Fax: 0870 164 1604 (national rate) All trademarks acknowledged. E&OE Stuart Tyrrell Developments is a trading name of Advantage Six Ltd. NEW - The A6+

The A6+ builds on the pedigree of the A6 to offer The A6+ further improves the A6 range with a a machine with increased performance and faster processor and memory, faster large hard specifications, resulting in a speed increase of drive, more powerful graphics card and built-in some 20-25% for RISC OS applicatons. 7-in-1 card reader. Keeping the diminutive dimensions of the existing A6, the A6+ comes in Features include: a restyled case which includes front panel backlit LCD status panel, and temperature Restyled case with backlit LCD module. sensitive cooling. AMD Athlon 3200+ processor. 512MB DDR400 memory. The A6+ is supplied with RISC OS Adjust and Faster 160GB Hard drive. Windows XP. Internal 7-in-1 card reader. Geforce FX5200 128MB graphics card. The A6+ is available complete with 17” TFT DVD/CDRW drive. monitor for £1100+VAT Carriage £25+VAT Internal 56K modem. 10/100BaseT networking. Option without monitor available. USB/IEEE1394/Optical audio as A6.