Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: Jethro_Tull on June 21, 2006, 07:34:22 PM
-
Although I am the proud owner of quite a few Amiga computers, my favourite is the A600. It's form factor is definitly unique and makes it a hell of a cutie! On the other hand, I rarely use any of my classic Amigas, prefering the speed and power of E-UAE and Ubantu Linux. Wondering about this, a small lightbulb slowly started lighting up in my wee head.
Yes, you've guessed what's coming; why not build a modern computer inside a tiny Amiga 600 like case? Combine the attractive, versatile form factor of the A600, the ease-of-use of the nimble, malaware-free Amiga OS and the power of todays' computers, at a mainstream price. By using readily available, off the shelf components and a little immagination, a powerfull 'new' A600 can be built and sold for less then EUR199!
Flex-ATX motherboards with on-board processors are available for around 70 Euros, while not cutting edge, they're more then adequate for running a wide range of emulators (including E-UAE) and a good Linux distro. While Mini-ITX boards are even smaller then Flex-ATX models, they tend to be overpriced. Flex-ATX will fit (albeit tightly) in an Amiga 600 style case. The motherboard has a VIA C7 X86 processor, UniChrome graphics processor (with hardware MPEG decoder), surround sound, USB 2.0 and network all on-board.
The CPU cooler, which draws air from above, would have to be changed to one which draws air sideways. The processor on small mainboards is always the first component on the right, so a sideways cooler (as used in many VGA cards) and vents drilled on the case's side will cool the CPU well. Keep in mind that the CPUs used on these boards generate very little heat. A single low profile 512Mb DDR2 memory module (EUR28) will be used.
Ideally I'd like the instant on feature of the Amiga and other old home computers. Instead of a relativly expensive laptop hard disk, an internal USB Memory Card reader and 512Mb CF Card will be used. Both cost around EUR18. While 512Mb might sound pittifully small, it's enough to store a usefull Linux installation (Puppy Linux) togather with E-UAE and other usefull applications such as Opera, Mozilla, AbiWord, Gnumeric etc. Two CF cards can be used simultaneously, allowing additional programs to be loaded from a second flash drive.
A small distro will be chosen and customised to work closely with the chosen hardware. Additionally, the distro could be customised to output standard TV frequencies, allowing the computer to work through a normal TV just by using a custom VGA to SCART cable. The end result should be a quick nimble OS capable of running a variety of emulators (including of course E-UAE) and be both powerfull and easy to use. Besides, when running E-UAE, the experience will be virtuallly the same as running a real Amiga, with crisp, sharp TV output thanks to the VGA to SCART connection.
A normal ATX V2.0 power supply can be used, they are quite cheap at around EUR12 for a basic model. They are quite bulky, but the circuit board doing all the work is usually very small. Keeping in mind that it will supply only a tiny fraction of the load it was designed to handle, it can probably be refitted inside a much smaller space. A laptop optical drive (a DVD-ROM low profile can be bought for less then EUR26) will be fitted at the side, which will come in handy for mass storage and viewing DVD Videos. Both the power supply and the DVD-ROM will be installed right on top of the PCI / AMR slots, since these will remain unused. Also, fitting the power supply inside the case fill improve on the Amiga's design, ridding us of the dreaded brick PSU!
The case is the most ambitous part of this whole idea, it needs to be modelled closely around the components used. Using the A600 as the basis for the new case, an injection moulding mould will be produced. From it, mass production of the case will be easily possible. A normal, small footprint USB keyboard will be fitted right under the top cover, just like the keyboard on real Amigas, the USB Keyboard will be plugged internally to the mainboard. Ventilation holes should be present at the sides, and besides the standard ATX back panel, slots for the Compact Flash cards should be placed somewhere convenient.
Again, this is just an idea which came to mind a couple of days ago. However, besides the custom case, all components are cheaply available off the shelf, and the software customization is easily possible. Whether a market for such a device exists is another matter. However, in my opinion, the way PCs have evolved has left out a number of people, and drove prices needlessly up. The design above embraces most of the good points the Amiga had in it's hey day, and the price is good enough to tempt a lot of enthusiasts.
Thanks for reading through my ramblings
Jethro Tull
-
Hi,
get shorter, get better :
http://www.vesalia.de/e_keyrah.htm (http://www.vesalia.de/e_keyrah.htm)
Use your A600 as a keyboard for your PC ...
But it's still a cruel end for your amiga ... :madashell:
-
I like your idea and keep those ramblings coming
-
CLS2086 wrote:
Use your A600 as a keyboard for your PC ...
But it's still a cruel end for your amiga ... :madashell:
lol... yes! it's a bit cruel :-( :-(
-
You could probably use one of these (http://www.itx-warehouse.co.uk/Product.aspx?ProductID=533) to power it, if space is an issue.
-
We've had a couple of threads with this sort of idea before, Someone made a thread about putting a u-ATX board inside his A500 case (I think the thread is still near the top of the community support forum or something like that). I have also toyed with the idea of using an A1200 case (nicest looking wedge style Amiga of them all IMO); for a while the keyboard was an issue but those keyrah things can be used (with some creative use of a dremel tool) with the USB ports cut off from the backplane of a m-ITX board. Plus with that small a board you can fit a graphics card inside aswell (as long as you can find one that isn't 10 storeys tall). though that would require a heavy duty PSU, much more than that pico thing.
-
Thanks for the feedback. My idea was to have a portable computer which could be manufactured and sold at less then 200 Euros. As I have already stated in my post, some people just want an easy, trouble free way to use the internet (web,e-mail,chat etc) and some basic office work. A normal PC is needlessly complex and expensive because it can do much more, but my point is not everyone needs a fully fledged PC.
My Idea is not a one off Amiga Mod, but a production run of a computer the size of the A600. The Pico is not only expensive (compared to a normal ATX PSU), it also requires an external AC to DC converter. While a normal ATX PSU will require some work to fit inside the A600, it's cheaper and more convenient. Remember, my aim is to make this thing for less the 200 Euro.