Thanks, Markran. I didn't change the title, but I don't disagree with anything you wrote. I, too, owned a fair number of Amigas over the years, including the polished but "a bit too late" A1200 that didn't stop Commodore from going under.
I guess the thing about the A1000, for me, was the initial impact. I had never seen anything like that before; the gap between what I thought computers could do and what I saw before my eyes was significant.
I also guess that because I never actually owned one, I had the external perspective, and I didn't experience the flaws you mentioned. Also, I think I learned about it after the WCS flop; on PAL versions Kickstart was on ROM already and they came with the 512Kb stock, and there was more software available.
Good, I wouldn't want you to. Making a bold claim can keep things interesting and give readers a clear proposition to engage. Much better than a muddled mess of equivocation! It's a subjective opinion anyway, so there's no right or wrong.
> the thing about the A1000, for me, was the initial impact.
I definitely agree. I recently pulled out my copy of the launch issue of AmigaWorld Magazine and the pages still give off an almost magical vibe as I read them. From today's perspective it's hard to recall the sheer impact of just how revolutionary the Amiga 1000 was in Summer 1985. Computers were mostly text. If there was color it was four or eight shades from a fixed palette and used as a highlight or accent. Any color graphics were little more than stick figures. From that context, the capabilities promised by the Amiga were quite literally shocking.
> I had the external perspective, and I didn't experience...
That makes sense. As they say, the pioneers get the arrows. And I don't mean to single out the Amiga here, being an early adopter of any new platform back then was a lonely leap into the unknown. I think that's why user's groups naturally formed in any large enough city. We huddled together to share what we learned. Choosing to be an early adopter of an expensive, yet unrealized vision of such a compelling technology was quite a filter. It required a special mix of vision, exuberance and naivete. And 40 years later, I still have several good friends from my Amiga user's group days.
Enjoy your A1000! It's a great machine and it's wonderful that you've restored, rejuvenated and made it even better.