Well, after many years of stern resistance I finally became the owner of an Apple-made device. My wife bought me an Apple IIe Platinum for Christmas. :wink:
It's a funny thing, I have always viewed Apple-made devices in the following way: "Over-priced, under-specced, but nicely made". Judging by my latest lump of high technology Apple have stuck with the same business model for about 30 years... if it ain't broke don't fix it!
I've got to say I rather like my new toy, so much so I went out and bought a IIgs complete with ZipGSX and 8mb cards to go with it. Just don't ask how much either of these machines cost! Speaking of cost I can't believe the utterly outrageous prices 3rd parties charge for bits 'n bobs for these machines - my IIe could do with some upgrades while my IIgs languishes for the sake of affordable mass storage options.
Hurrumph!
The IIgs can wait on the next batch run of CFFA3000's that will hopefully begin later in the year - great device, sensible price, just not enough made.
My IIe, however, can't wait - so I made this:
I can't claim any credit for this board beyond it being a reverse-engineering of a currently out of production design. Take a Raspberry Pi, whack it together with a minimal serial interface, bung a special version of Linux on it, and whack the whole lot inside your Apple II. The result?
-Sold-state drive(s)
-HDMI output
-Accelerated IIgs mode
-Multi-processor capability
-Networking too, depending on your Pi / dongles
-ADTPro at speed
All for the cost of a few materials and a quiet afternoon with a soldering iron - that's better! I suspect owners of a Super Serial card could bodge a Pi on to one for much the same effect.
I must say the old Apple II is a lovely 'n easy system to tinker with. Just as well, I'd like a Mockingboard so I shall make myself one of those in due course.
:-D
It's a funny thing, I have always viewed Apple-made devices in the following way: "Over-priced, under-specced, but nicely made". Judging by my latest lump of high technology Apple have stuck with the same business model for about 30 years... if it ain't broke don't fix it!
I've got to say I rather like my new toy, so much so I went out and bought a IIgs complete with ZipGSX and 8mb cards to go with it. Just don't ask how much either of these machines cost! Speaking of cost I can't believe the utterly outrageous prices 3rd parties charge for bits 'n bobs for these machines - my IIe could do with some upgrades while my IIgs languishes for the sake of affordable mass storage options.
Hurrumph!
The IIgs can wait on the next batch run of CFFA3000's that will hopefully begin later in the year - great device, sensible price, just not enough made.
My IIe, however, can't wait - so I made this:
I can't claim any credit for this board beyond it being a reverse-engineering of a currently out of production design. Take a Raspberry Pi, whack it together with a minimal serial interface, bung a special version of Linux on it, and whack the whole lot inside your Apple II. The result?
-Sold-state drive(s)
-HDMI output
-Accelerated IIgs mode
-Multi-processor capability
-Networking too, depending on your Pi / dongles
-ADTPro at speed
All for the cost of a few materials and a quiet afternoon with a soldering iron - that's better! I suspect owners of a Super Serial card could bodge a Pi on to one for much the same effect.
I must say the old Apple II is a lovely 'n easy system to tinker with. Just as well, I'd like a Mockingboard so I shall make myself one of those in due course.
:-D
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