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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga community support ideas => Topic started by: clusteruk on October 20, 2017, 09:52:36 AM

Title: Checkmate Digital A1500 plus concepts discussion
Post by: clusteruk on October 20, 2017, 09:52:36 AM
Hi All

As some of you may be aware I used to run Checkmate Digital and the first product we released was the Checkmate Digital A1500 which a review was posted on facebook last week. Well this has gained some traction and I am considering re launching a newly designed version brought bang up to date. Now in true Checkmate style I will be a bit cheeky so it is being designed to honour the A3000 in looks and to have the option of the A1000 keyboard garage if using TenKeyLess keyboards (ie no number pad). Below is a very early concept design overview video and it is designed to hold either A500/A1200/A600/Vampire/Tabor-1222/MiniITX and maybe even the GBA1000 if I can get the dimensions and does not make it too large. The reason for mentioning here is because I want feedback from those who like to pimp out there Amiga's and would like a properly designed desktop case to do the pimping in.

Following feedback already recieved from A1k.org the front will have a removable section to allow optional CD/DVD drive, single floppy and SDCard slot, or dual Amiga floppies. Internally there is an adaptor to fit internal ACA A500+ and hopefully others, it will have a built in power supply and hopefully keyboard case adaptors and cable for different Amiga's however, there are some lovely vintage mechanical keyboards in the market. I am aiming to get the computer case alone well under 200 euros, hopefully close to 150 euros but the injection moulded front may cause problem in small numbers here. Any way I would appreciate all feedback so I can put them into the design. Some things will have to be missed out, some tweaked. For example the A1200 expansion slot cards will be flipped over and lay on top of A1200 to keep case size within the size I want.

If this makes it to market it will be marketed under iMica ltd  as Checkmate closed a long time ago. Please contact me at steve at imica dot net with comments and suggestions, also please let me know if you would be interested in one if it makes it to market, just looking for interest. It will be launched with a Kickstarter once all testing and prototyping is done assuming people have shown interest. IMPORTANT, this could be a long journey so do not expect this in a few weeks. Personally I think 6-9 months.

Video explanation of design concepts so far

http://www.brahma360.com/general/BodegaBay-VS-CheckmateDigitalA1500.png (http://www.brahma360.com/general/BodegaBay-VS-CheckmateDigitalA1500.png)

Original Checkmate A1500 vs Bodega Bay review scan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir4gbWO4Q9M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir4gbWO4Q9M)

Mechanical Vintage Keyboard (TenKeyLess)

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1941 (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1941)

I am trying to find out what the community want and if there is a good enough interest, hopefully it is positive but if not then that is OK but I would like to be sure before getting to injection moulding stage :-)

Steve
Title: Re: Checkmate Digital A1500 plus concepts discussion
Post by: amiadudeorwat on October 21, 2017, 02:22:11 AM
If you're making it tall enough to fit a 5 1/4" bay then you should plan to allow for a Zorro riser on the left side of the machine to fit 2 or 3 zorro slots off of the expansion connector.  With proper spacing a zorro riser could be created so the slots hang above the 68000 socket.  Of course it would need to be tall enough to not conflict with a 68000 socket accelerator so you could only maybe fit two zorro slots wihtout it getting too tall.  Also punch out holes for DB-25, DB-15 (vga), USB etc.
Title: Re: Checkmate Digital A1500 plus concepts discussion
Post by: Silverstreak on October 21, 2017, 09:06:48 AM
I think it's a great idea. Particularly with A1222 and the standalone vampire, best of luck.
Title: Re: Checkmate Digital A1500 plus concepts discussion
Post by: Wolfe on October 21, 2017, 01:20:03 PM
Great, just what a stand-alone Vampire needs is a nice home ! ! ! !

Must follow this project.  Thanks

D
Title: Re: Checkmate Digital A1500 plus concepts discussion
Post by: SpaceMonkey on October 21, 2017, 04:56:29 PM
For me and my A600 + Vampire
http://www.marlandhill.co.uk/Gallery/gs/handler/getmedia.ashx?moid=131&dt=3&g=2 (http://www.marlandhill.co.uk/Gallery/gs/handler/getmedia.ashx?moid=131&dt=3&g=2)

Front mounted Compact flash slots
Floppy & CD bays
Rear VGA & HDMI panel mounts
SUM USB Keyboard panel mount
Front LED for HDD, Power, Floppy

Where are the mouse and joystick ports to be placed
Title: Re: Checkmate Digital A1500 plus concepts discussion
Post by: TheDaddy on October 22, 2017, 05:18:25 PM
Let me know if any Amiga key caps for the mechanical keyboard are needed, a couple of years ago I made them for the following language layouts:

Italian, U.K., Spanish, German, Swedish (Finnish), Norwegian, American (ANSI), American (ISO), French, Serbian-Latin, Dual Greek-American, Danish, Russian, French-Canadian, French-Belgian, Turkish Q, Swiss-French.

It was this project:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/505470364/amiga-inspired-key-caps-for-mechanical-keyboards?ref=discovery

Good luck! ;)
Title: Re: Checkmate Digital A1500 plus concepts discussion
Post by: kirk_m on October 23, 2017, 03:27:18 AM
Definitely interested in one.
Title: Re: Checkmate Digital A1500 plus concepts discussion
Post by: wiser3 on October 23, 2017, 05:17:40 AM
I'm sure i'm not the only one where desk space is at a premium.

I would remove the riser, then place unit on it's side. Is there something you could do to ensure it's stable on it's side? Perhaps a stand for it to sit in?
Title: Re: Checkmate Digital A1500 plus concepts discussion
Post by: clusteruk on October 23, 2017, 06:24:21 AM
Thanks for positive feedback, there is still a lot of work to do so more information at the end of the week.