[Coco] What would a CoCo successor have to have as a minimum?

[Frank Swygert]

Assume we are talking about advance hardware features and advance ROM. 
I'm not asking for everything you'd like to see, but what would be the 
minimum requirements -- the least common denominator/best compromise.

1. CoCo3 compatibility. Drop CoCo 1/2 semi graphics and artifacting 
modes. The main purpose is to provide advanced but easy to program 
features while maintaining a decent software base, not run everything 
ever made for the CoCo line.

2. An easy to program I/O port of some kind. Doesn't have to be 
cartridge port compatible, just needs to be easy to program. I recommend 
the Centronics parallel port (LPT) which is still on most motherboards 
as it reduces hardware needs, but a USB satellite connector would be 
acceptable. There are also PCI LPT Port cards. Most ROM carts are 
available as DSK files (or some other importable format). Most of the 
useful Tandy hardware can be emulated/integrated on board.

3. Some way to access a physical floppy drive for those rare occasions 
reading or writing a physical disk is necessary. This could be via 
something like CoNect or DriveWire built in or run as a utility 
connected to another PC, but the ability to connect a physical drive 
would be preferred.

4. Switch the primary storage system to either HDSD cards (HD readers 
are backwards compatible to standard SD, but standard SD won't read an 
HD -- I've seen mostly HD cards in retail stores) or USB drives. No need 
for a floppy all the time any more, but there is a need to transfer 
and/or store data physically.

5. Higher res graphics that are easy to program. Something standard -- 
maybe just 640x480 VGA.

6. Use modern monitors.

7. Easy access to 512K to 1MB of memory for programs. Something like the 
old "512KBASIC".

8. Ochestra 90 pack built in, and also improved. I guess I really mean 
an improved version that's also backwards compatible. Or how important 
is compatibility? Only a few things used it...

Okay, what am I missing??

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://www.amc-mag.com
(free download available!)