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The A6 rangeThe A6 is a new generation of RISC OS machine, manufactured by Advantage Six Ltd for Stuart Tyrrell Developments. The A6+ and A6T4 are newer machines in the range that track advances in technolgy to bring better performance and new features in a compatible manner. The A6 was designed from the ground up to use VirtualRPC technology, it is able to provide StrongARM class performance at a price point traditionally associated with ARM7500 class machines.
RISC OS and Windows in a single boxVirtualRPC allows RISC OS users access to existing and future applications in a familiar environment, yet also allows them to use traditional Windows applications if this is required. The sharing of data between applications in these two environments promotes the use of the right tool for the job.
DesignMeasuring little more than a stack of A4 paper, the A6 was designed into a novel miniature case, measuring some 32x21x18cm (12.6 x 8.3 x 7" approx). Since the initial release, the small form factor market has grown considerably - the more recent A6+ and A6T4 cram even more into the same small space.
Despite its diminutive dimensions, the case allows for ample forced airflow around internal components. Its contemporary styling is a step away from traditional machine casing, and compliments virtually any office/study environment. Front panel ports give easy access to headphone connections, USB etc.
RISC OS PerformanceUnder VirtualRPC on the A6 range, users can expect performance which exceeds that of the fastest traditional StrongARM RiscPC machines. Enhanced I/O and graphics performance means that many real-world tasks execute several times faster than the fastest ARM based solutions. The whole A6 range come with a complete licensed copy of RISC OS Adjust (4.39) users may also install Select if they wish.
VVRAM and AdjustAll A6 machines now ship with VVRAM. This allows enhanced screenmodes to be used within RISC OS, such as 1600x1200x16 million colours.RISC OS Adjust (4.39) is now supplied as standard with all machines.
EnhancementsThe A6 runs Windows XP on a fast Athlon processor. VirtualRPC technology emulates an ARM processor and RISC OS hardware in this environment, and allows a standard version of RISC OS to be run at high speed.This solution enables RISC OS to take advantage of features such as fast cached disk access, high memory bandwidths, hibernation (recovery from power-off to RISC OS desktop with windows open within approx 30 seconds), and allows users simple access to Windows applications.
ReviewsThe A6 has been reviewed in the following publications:
Drobe (online Part 1 and Part 2)
A6 ModelsAvailable in three variants, all A6 machines come complete with DVD drive or DVD/CDRW, fast hard drive, Floppy disk, Barton-core AMD Athlon 2500+ processor, 333/400MHz dual-channel DDR memory, UDMA 133 drives, Geforce 4MX graphics, 56K internal modem, 10/100BaseT networking, 4xUSB ports, 2xIEEE1394 ports (windows only), SPDif optical (input windows only, output RISC OS/windows), Windows XP Home and VirtualRPC-Adjust. Keyboard and mouse are of course included, along with speakers for those machines where they are not part of the monitor.All software is installed, leading to a "ready to go" RISC OS environment. Of course users may easily switch out of RISC OS into a windows XP environment should the need arise. The machine variants are:
A6B : Base unit/DVD/40G hard drive/256MB memory : UKP599 ex VAT
Carriage: UKP25+VAT
The A6 is available in silver or black.
The A6+
The A6+ builds on the pedigree of the A6 to offer a machine with increased performance and specifications, resulting in a speed increase of some 20-25% for RISC OS applicatons. Features include:
Restyled case with backlit LCD module.
The A6+ is available complete with 17" TFT monitor for £1100+VAT Carriage £25+VAT Option without monitor available.
The A6T4
The A6T4 builds on the foundations of the earlier A6s to offer a machine with increased performance and specifications, resulting in a speed increase for RISC OS applicatons over earlier machines. Features include:
Restyled black case
The A6T4 is available complete with 17" TFT monitor for £1100+VAT Carriage £25+VAT Option without monitor available.
MonitorsWe can supply the higher specification machines without monitors if required.We have also had a number of enquiries regarding CRT monitors instead of the TFT models on offer. We can offer the following substitutes:
A6: Substitute 17" Iiyama 413 Pro instead of 15" TFT: No cost
Please contact us for further details.
OrderingThe machines may be ordered from:
Stuart Tyrrell Developments
Stuart Tyrrell Developments is a trading name of Advantage Six Ltd.
All content © Stuart Tyrrell Developments 2005 unless otherwise stated. E&OE. |