| The different models are:
520 STFM
The F in the number indicates it possesses an internal floppy disc
drive;
The M indicates an internal Modulator (so you can plug it into a
TV);
1040 STFM
As the 520, but with 1 MB of RAM. Earlier models of both can have
single-sided disc-drives, so watch out for this. Also, ensure that
the operating system resides on ROM.
Mega ST
In a nicer looking box with a separate keyboard, possesses an expansion
bus and a blitter chip. Much more expensive.
To see the differences between the STe (the new ST) and the Mega,
you should look in the Topic STe vs Mega (I forget the number, but
it's recent).
The only point I can suggest is buying an older machine may prove
a false economy. The STe is easier and cheaper to upgrade in terms
of memory - and I understand also that music applications are
particularly demanding of RAM, but you will know this.
Regards,
Carl
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| The STFM's are now being replaced by the STe's : internal double sided
1Mb (nominally :-) ) drive, 4 SIMM memory sockets, will take up to 4Mb
of memory, loads of sockets to connect all sorts of things including TV
via tuner, or B/W or colour monitor direct.
Richard
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| People keep leaving out one major feature of the STe. I has support for
analog joysticks. This means the potential exists for some really excellent
flight simulators and smooth joystick operations in the future when the
software vendors finally take advantage of the STe hardware. I don't
tend to use my ST for games, but if I had analog joystick ports and games
that supported them I would probably start running flight simulator more
often (I would even invest in special flight controls if available).
The potential exists for doing something similar in current STs with
the mouse port, but I haven't seen anyone take advantage of it (Gravis
is supposedly making a mouse-stick, but I haven't seen one yet).
Analog joysticks probably contributed to the success of the Tandy
Color Computer.
-Dave
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