Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Software Issues and Discussion => Topic started by: TheDaddy on April 29, 2008, 03:56:15 PM
-
Hi all,
Just to let you know that I have nearly finished the case for the Minimig.
If it all goes to plan, photos should appear here:
www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
The case has gone through some serious changes to cut costs. Production costs are going to be HUGE!:-o
This should accomodate the Minimig version 1.1, as sold by ACube/Vesalia/Amigakit, the case has had major changes from my initial design but it should still provide the following:
A completely closed plastic case with accessibility for SD-Card, mouse and keyboard, Amiga joystick/mouse, VGA, Audio, serial, DC IN (Power) ports.
RFI and EMI shielding.
Rubber feet, possibility of different colours.
How many people would be interested in this case?
You can also email me.
It's important I get a rough idea of the number of people interested so I can order the first batch of cases.
Many thanks. :-)
-
Sounds good, can't wait to see it
-
I will have a sketch soon, which I can then put on the site.
Remember that the sketch it's only conceptual and it might not be the exact represantation of the real case, like lots of things with industrial design.
All I need is the number of interested people, without that figure the factory is just going to laugh at me...:-)
-
i'm looking forward to seeing that...
-
@Everyone
Just a quick update on the Minimig case/enclosure:
Prototype ready in less than 2 weeks.
Photos to be published as soon as I get the prototype back.
I will have a limited amount of cases, as these 5 months of research and development (sketches, models etc.) plus the cost of the prototype itself have almost eaten up all my budget!
So they will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
Specs:
Accomodates and encloses the Minimig version 1.1, as sold by ACube/Vesalia/Amigakit, completely.
Plastic case with accessibility to:
SD-Card
Mouse and keyboard
Amiga joystick/mouse
VGA port
Audio connector
Serial port
DC IN (Power) port
Reset switch (through hole)
Menu switch (through hole)
Included:
Rubber feet
Ventilation slots
Holes for visual access to LEDs (power and drive)
Easy Assembly/Disassembly system
Motherboard pillars (x2)
Instructions leaflet
Colour: Gloss White (iMac/iPod like)
RoHS compliant product
Options:
RFI and EMI shielding (at extra cost)
Thank you.
:-)
-
@everyone
Hi,
Another small update on the Minimig case:
I have had confirmation that the CE mark is not required for my case but one or two tests on the material used might be needed.
Anyway I'll keep you informed.
:-)
-
Cool. Can't wait to see it when you get the prototype.
-
Hi,
I can tell you that it's sligthly bigger than the minimig motherboard, it encloses it completely and has cut outs all around.
It's made of gloss white plastic (like the material used by Apple), it's easy to put the motherboard in and assemble with just two screws.
Opening and closing is easy too.
There are no switches and it should fit all the minimigs built around revision 1.1
Its goal is to protect the minimig and make it look better.
It's RoHS compliant.
Thanks
:-)
-
Any photos in progress?
-
No photos at the moment I am afraid.
Both the prototype and the motherboard are still with the manufacturer.
They are making the CAD version of my design and eliminating all the things that might increase the costs.
I'll post the photos as soon as I get the prototype back.
I have almost ran out of money, I might have to sell one of my Amigas with some software :-(
I hope people are going to like it and buy it, it's cost me my pc, car and some borrowings...must be nuts! :lol:
-
@everyone,
The prototype case/enclosure for the Minimig has arrived!
It looks good in glossy white.
I need to check it and then I'll post a few photos.
Later.
:-)
-
Congrats on getting it done. Let's see some pics soon.
I hope you are kidding about selling or losing your car over this effort though.
-
>>Congrats on getting it done. Let's see some pics soon.
Thanks amigadave, it's been a long 6 months!
>>I hope you are kidding about selling or losing your car over this effort though.
Unfortunately no, I am not kidding. All true. I designed the case on paper in January, several sketches, revisions and technical drawings later I had a clear idea of what would be the best design for the Minimig.
Then it came researching for a company who would make it.
Visiting the company a few times, borrowing a car to travel.
Developing a new product is massively expensive at least for a single individual so to finance my dream something had to go (car, pc and one of my Amigas).
I had to pay for two engineers and technicians to reduce the costs, putting the drawing into CAD, machining the case (this is the most expensive part), then the first prototype finally arrived, six months later.
Now I am testing it, see if everything fits and then I am going to take photos, I believe this will be the first bespoke/original Amiga related case probably since Commodore.
I hope Minimig owners like it and buy it.
:-)
-
well done mate
be nice to see some pics and a price im thinking of making a minimig be nice to have a good case
james
-
I had to pay for two engineers and technicians to reduce the costs, putting the drawing into CAD, machining the case (this is the most expensive part), then the first prototype finally arrived, six months later.
Now I am testing it, see if everything fits and then I am going to take photos, I believe this will be the first bespoke/original Amiga related case probably since Commodore.
Those engineers cost a fortune. If you go into something like this again in the future, feel free to contact me. I'm more than willing to help the true Amiga-enthusiast. I've got access to and know how to use Pro/ENGINEER and Unigraphics. Also I have some 10 years of experience in Mechanical Engineering.
This offer also stands to other Amiga enthusiasts wanting to pull something like this. Due to my contract these Amiga enthusiasts need to be non-profit, non-company type of enthusiasts ;-).
This message is not intended as SPAM or to advertise myself. I just love the development going on right now with all kinds of home-brew projects getting of the ground where new Amiga's and such are being developed (I even read about the re-creation of the Picasso II :-)).
-
@everyone
A sneaky preview of the upcoming Minimig case:
http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html
Enjoy.
Thank you,
:-)
-
Bloody hell, just show us the smegging case. It's not the Crown Jewels you know.
-
damn teasers, look what i found:
http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/preview2.htm
:lol: :lol: :lol:
EDIT: silly me, i didn't see the next button myself :-P
-
TheDaddy has put some teaser pics up on his site just now.
(http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Case1.JPG)
(http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Case2.JPG)
-
>>Bloody hell, just show us the smegging case. It's not the Crown Jewels you know.
The rest is under protective film. Tomorrow it's going back to the manufacture to have some things rectified.
:-)
-
Dennis?
:-o
I am not Dennis...
Rob, could you edit it please?
www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
:-D
-
@TheDaddy
Good work there, it looks nice.
Hopefully you can get amigakit or/and Vesalia to sell your cases.
If it works out well this might open up a future for more case designs for upcoming products such as the NatAmi.
regards
Bandis
-
@bandis
Thanks for the encouragement, I have put all myself in this project. If it sells well, the Natami is next. I have already got a few sketches going for it.
Thanks
Loriano
:-)
-
TheDaddy wrote:
The rest is under protective film. Tomorrow it's going back to the manufacture to have some things rectified.
:-)
Damn, I hate waiting.
On the plus side, I got my updated PIC from Amigakit and it's in the Minimig and working.
-
@darrin
>>Damn, I hate waiting.
Believe me Darrin, nobody is more excited and wanting to show it and start selling it more than me! :-)
>>On the plus side, I got my updated PIC from Amigakit and it's in the Minimig and working.
Excellent! Any more news on compatibility improvements?
I so want to play Superfrog, SWOS and Speedball 2 on my Minimig in its new shiny case! :-)
-
@TheDaddy
You should change your nickname into TheTeaser :lol: Just kidding! :-D I admire your passion, good luck! :-)
-
@CD32Freak
>>You should change your nickname into TheTeaser
LOL!
>>I admire your passion, good luck!
Thanks for your support. :-)
-
@TheDaddy
Well done for getting it done, looking forward to seeing some more pics :-)
-
Thanks straycat, it's cost me an arm and a leg but we are finally there!
So much hard work, months, many sleepless nights and lots of money, but we are there people, Minimig will finally have a cool case! :-D
-
TheDaddy wrote:.
Excellent! Any more news on compatibility improvements?
I so want to play Superfrog, SWOS and Speedball 2 on my Minimig in its new shiny case! :-)
I haven't done much with it yet as I'm fighting with my A4000 trying to get it to work right with a new Fast ATA 4000 board (I think it might not like these 80GB hard drives - although it was happy to partition one of them into 18 x 4GB chunks when I first ran it).
I did retry Rodland (the right hand screen is still missing) and Menace (shield still run down). I think the work Denis did was on games that wouldn't load so I need to try the games in my "buggered" folder when I get a chance.
-
Dennis?
:-o
I am not Dennis...Rob,
could you edit it please?
oops, sorry I was in a rush and obviously not thinking properly :oops:
-
Thanks Rob.
:-)
-
@everyone
Quick update on the Minimig case (for those who are interested):
Prototype number 2 is entering the CAD stages. So it's basically ready to go into production.
I have only got a tiny little problem:
I have been told that the case might need to be tested (mechanical and fire tests) by a lab.
I am trying to find out if it's necessary for a case this small and only powered by a +5V (100-200mA).
The lab is going to let me know, mechanical tests are in the region of £650 (780 Euros)!
I haven't been told about price for the fire tests.
This is a bit of a blow to my project but I'll keep you informed.
-
Hi,
My compliments for your undertaking!
It's true that lab testing costs an arm and a leg, but is it really necessary to do all these tests? I don't even think that the Minimig has been put through the barrage of EMC tests applicable to electronic appliances. From my experience in electronics R&D, it appears taht it will fail most if not all emission and immunity tests because it has no filtering and very minimal ESD protection.
Are you after CE marking? But then, would it be necessary since you are selling a component part, rather than a finished product? Please do check out CE marking documentatioan and regulations. It might turn out that some tests are not even required! http://www.ce-marking.org/
As for fire testing, maybe you could skip those if you can prove that you are injecting with fire retarding plastic (UL-94-V0).
Good luck and keep up the great work! Do we get to see more photos now? ;)
Cheers!
Edwin
-
If you want to sell it as a stand alone component, my understanding is you should be fine. (I am not a lawyer, or product expert, so take that as internet advice :-D )
If you want to sell it as an assembled device, with board, PSU etc, you'll need the whole lot to undergo the gamut of CE tests: suggest you steer well clear of those...
Keep stressing that it's a low volume hobbyist thing and include disclaimers when you sell them. And good luck!
PS - more pics!
-
@wolfchild
Thanks for your words and support.
>>It's true that lab testing costs an arm and a leg, but is it really necessary to do all these tests?
This is what I am trying to understand and find out. Some say yes and some say no, so I am in total confusion! :-?
The Minimig itself (pcb) is CE marked, my case apparently does NOT need CE marking, computer cases don't require the CE marking.
As you are rightly saying I am selling a component not the whole thing so I have no idea why it has to go through mechanical and fire tests.
>>As for fire testing, maybe you could skip those if you can prove that you are injecting with fire retarding plastic (UL-94-V0).
I am in contact with my manufacturer, at the moment they are translating the second prototype into CAD, they say they'll let me know.
Thanks for your advice. :-)
-
The limited photos of the case look very promising. I can't wait to see the finished version!
-
@chiark
>>If you want to sell it as a stand alone component, my understanding is you should be fine. (I am not a lawyer, or product expert, so take that as internet advice )
That was my understanding as well but British Standards are talking about mechanical and fire retardant tests...still waiting for their answer, maybe they think I have created a new personal computer!
>>Keep stressing that it's a low volume hobbyist thing and include disclaimers when you sell them. And good luck!
PS - more pics!
I am so annoyed because prototype number 2 is ready to go into production and my manufacturer is waiting for the go ahead but until this is clarified I can't do anything.
:-(
-
@Fester
>>The limited photos of the case look very promising. I can't wait to see the finished version!
Thanks Fester!
By the way, didn't we play Quake together in the Amiga Quake Clan a few years back? Together with Raef and Seven? :-D
-
@everyone
Prototype number 2 is nearly finished.
I would like to know what people would prefer on their Minimig case;
1) Completely plain white gloss case
2) White gloss case with Minimig name on it (high quality adhesive vinyl) - slightly more expensive
3) Screen printed Minimig name on white gloss case (same quality as the screen printing used in the industry; laptop and desktops) - more expensive but better looking
Let me know your preferences so I can get an idea for the final product.
Soon more photos! :-)
-
TheDaddy wrote:
@Fester
>>The limited photos of the case look very promising. I can't wait to see the finished version!
Thanks Fester!
By the way, didn't we play Quake together in the Amiga Quake Clan a few years back? Together with Raef and Seven? :-D
I don't recall. Must be another Fester. :-)
-
@everyone
Hi,
I am happy to let you know that a second preview of my case/enclosure for the Minimig (rev 1.1) is available:
www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
I would like to thank all the people who have expressed and registered their interest. Once I have the cost for screen printing the name on it, I will post the enclosure price and starting taking orders.
To all of you who have emailed me about a pre-order/pre-payment scheme I would like to say thank you, this will be available and should help me and speed things up a lot!
Please note there will be an initial limited production run so first come first serve.
Many thanks for your support.
Loriano
:-)
-
Looks very smart and professional. But could you *please* just post a photo of the whole thing? All we've seen so far are close-ups which are so zoomed in that you can't even see what shape it is...
--
moto
-
Hello moto,
Thanks!
The whole enclosure is going to be displayed next week (I have one more thing to sort out).
I can tell you that the shape is square (it hugs the Minimig board) and it has round corners, overall a nice modern look.
This might be ported to the A1200 replacement case I am working on and possibly the Natami.
The manufacturer is checking the feasibility of the typeface and colour for the logo.
Regarding the logo, some of you have emailed me saying if we could have the boing ball (can I say boing ball or am I going to get sued? :-D ) bouncing over the "I" instead of the stylised sphere and the answer, at least for now, is no. I can't even get in contact with Amiga Inc. and the last thing I want is for Amiga Inc. to start another trial! :-D
The typeface and colour are in tone with the Amiga theme and I am happy with that, it stands out from the white, some of you have suggested silver but I will have to evaluate the costs.
Thank you, :-)
-
@everyone
What a week we've had! :-)
OS4.1 and the enclosure for the Minimig!
A few dancing bananas:
:banana: :banana: :banana:
Minimig Enclosure Update:
Screen printing is TOO EXPENSIVE to have at the moment so the case/enclosure will be available in two formats:
Plain glossy white - so you can do whatever you want with it, put your own design/graphics or sticker on it or leave it in pure glossy white. Elegant, modern and sleek! 8-)
or
With the Minimig logo I have designed applied like in the photos, £8 (GBP) or 10Euros extra- there are several colours to choose from: black, yellow, purple, orange, silver, gold, red, maroon, blue, green, grey and a few others. Just tell me your colour choice at the time of pre-ordering. I have applied the logo in silver to the prototype and it looks particularly elegant and professional. ;-)
Please keep registering your interest as once we reach a minimum of 50 we are going into production! :-D
Thank you.
:-)
-
I forgot to add the following colours:
Pink, brown and burgundy. Basically you can have the logo on the enclosure in any colour you like as long as it is one of the listed ones!
:-D
-
But what does it look like?
-
AJCopland wrote:
But what does it look like?
Well ...
It's kinda square'ish
It's got holes in it
Comes in various colours
Hell, I could be describing any number of things other than a minimig case
-
@AJCopland
>>But what does it look like?
I will release it next week and start taking pre-orders, this means that more detailed photos will be posted, as usual, on my site.
www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Many thanks :-)
-
@AJCopland:
If you click here (http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/preview.htm) you'll get a pretty good idea... It's a link on the first post in this thread
edit:
@TheDaddy:
You beat me to it.
-
>>It's kinda square'ish
>>It's got holes in it
>>Comes in various colours
Please note that the colour of the enclosure is glossy white, the different choice of colours is for the Minimig name/logo on it.
When ordering please state if you prefer the plain enclosure or with the Minimig logo/name transfer on it, this can be any of the colours mentined above.
Thank you :-)
-
AJCopland wrote:
But what does it look like?
It doesn't matter. I've got a feeling that the final cost is going to make most people run for the hills in terror.
-
Why is there no picture of the whole thing at once? All I see are closeups.
-
>>It doesn't matter. I've got a feeling that the final cost is going to make most people run for the hills in terror.
You are right Darrin.
It's definately going to cost more than any other enclosure seen for the minimig, that is for sure.
Consider that it's custom made (it won't fit anything else)and manufactured in a limited run. We are talking small production scale. 50 is the minimum I have to order otherwise I (and others) can kiss good bye to it.
In the pc and mac industry the quantities are in the thousands and thousands, can't compare.
But again this has taken months to design, you get a complete, modern looking, smart enclosure, which has been professionally machined after been put through several CAD drawings, it's gone through three prototypes stages to reduce costs (which are then passed to the customers) and finally it will be manufactured by a professional company for a mad individual like me.:crazy:
It's made of good quality 4mm thick plastic, not 1mm thin moulded plastic that breaks when you look at it. One of the engineers believes that it's not far off any other product you can buy on the high street. Also a special no-screw assembly system had to be implemented because of the minimig board peculiarity (ever so difficult to solve).
It's made in Europe (U.K.) and I believe that it will be good value for money, I am much happier playing my games on my minimig now that it is in a nice enclosure, I can carry it around to my mates house without worrying that the board would get damaged.
So yes it will be expensive but how much does a mini or nano itx case cost? £50-120 (British Pounds), to that add your time, effort and money for cutting out eleven holes and adding extensions.
You can always use two plexiglass sheets with stand offs, about £24 (GBP), but at the end of the day these one man projects cost and only I know how much.:-o
Of all the people who have registered some have told me quite frankly that they are prepared to pay up to 200 Euros others no more than 80 Euros.
Next week, I am seeing the sales manager at the factory who is going to help me set up a price. But rest assured that the price and final photos will be announced this coming week.
From my point of view I have invested an enormous amount of time, effort, passion, energy (thinking about it night and day) and cash into this, for the following reasons:
Give the brilliant Minimig board a decent home.
Give something to the Amiga/Commodore community which I have been part of for the last 26-27 years.
Start something great, and hopefully develop an A1200 replacement enclosure and one for the Natami.
Again I don't believe people run for the hills in terror when it comes to Amiga stuff, as ebay teaches us, (see the cost of various parts or operating systems we keep purchasing, five years ago I paid £140 for the Power Tower , nowdays the Elbox D-Box is £160) , so hopefully they will also support a small developer like me.
Many thanks
:-)
-
Hi weirdami,
This coming week, price and final photos.
The enclosure can be purchased with or without the Minimig name on it, so people are free to put whatever they like.
The name/logo on the enclosure that you can see on my site is a bit extra on the cost of the plain case and you can order it in different colours.
Many thanks.
:-)
-
Case will very likely cost a few hundred dollars ($400-500) if it is produced in small quantities. It may cost more if it is made of really, really special plastic :)
TheDaddy deserves all the respect for pulling though this project.
Owning an Amiga is very similar to owning a classic muscle car :) Your wallet and your foot is ready to go whenever opportunity knocks :)
-
TheDaddy wrote:
You are right Darrin.
It's definately going to cost more than any other enclosure seen for the minimig, that is for sure.
I'm not knocking you for doing this, it's just that I'm worried you're going to lose some serious money.
Let's assume you manage a minimum order of 50 units. Let us also assume you want to make at least $1000 for your trouble and recover some costs. That means you're going to have to charge $20 ontop of unit costs (or $25 if you're planning on paying taxes on it).
As you sold a car to finance this, I think you're probably looking for $5000 or more, so that's $100-$125 on each case.
OK, so you have people saying they'll pay $200 a case, but there's a big difference between people who say they'll pay and people who will pay.
-
C'mon Darrin, in the history of people who have invented products, its normal to put everything into something and not get an immediate return.
Just ask Elias Howe, who had to go seriously in debt and wait decades before people accepted the sewing machine.
-
Hi Darrin,
I should have put a smiley at the beginning, my tone wasn't sarcastic, I really do agree with you. :-)
Developing a product is a massive feat, not only from an economic point of view but also emotional. You keep thinking what if it goes wrong, you lose all that time and money that would have been useful somewhere else like buying myself another car and not having to cycle to work in the rain! :-)
But this is the Amiga, 99% of us use, buy, develop for and stick with Amiga following their heart, it might sound a bit sugary but there is no logic in our community.
I agree on everything you say completely and I am probably going to lose out but what can I do at this point in time with the production run ready to start?
Hopefully I manage to recover the costs and make some extra for my next projects or maybe ACube will make another batch of Minimigs...who knows... :-)
-
@Darrin
$ is toy money now-a-days, he said €...
Besides. Look at good looking ITX cases, the Nexus Psile is about £180 (that is about €224). Other cheaper ITX cases with hints of design: Silver Silverstone SST-LC12-S Mini-ITX is about €80, Silver Casetronic C137 Travla Mini CheckerCube ITX at €97.
Yes, you can get ITX cases at around €30 to 50. But they look like c*ap.
With the MiniMig case you get:
1) Unique Amiga design case, for a unique form factor card
2) Exclusive limited edition production run (euforism for small scale one person initiative)
I'm sure I could count more points, but it doesn't matter. With his design skills and entrepeneurship I'm sure Loranio could have made a killing on producing unique designs for ITX flex (SAM) and ITX(efika). There really isn't much to choose from. My dream is a Psile-like case just a little taller than a mac mini. And I'd buy two of them. One for a x86 AROS/Ubuntu box, and one for an efika MOS/*nix setup.
But think of the scale Silverstone and Psile can produce in. And still be so expensive as you consider them. And then what someone like Loranio can achieve in that market...
Thank god he's focusing on MiniMig! :D hehe
(but TheDaddy, you need to fix up Efika and SAM before Natami, Natami can still wait some months! :))
-
@codenetfx
>>TheDaddy deserves all the respect for pulling though this project.
Thank you.
>>Owning an Amiga is very similar to owning a classic muscle car :) Your wallet and your foot is ready to go whenever opportunity knocks :)
Excellent metaphor...can I use it?
:-)
-
@arnljot
>>Besides. Look at good looking ITX cases, the Nexus Psile is about £180 (that is about €224).
I wanted to buy that I remember thinking:"Mamma Mia!":-)
I build pcs in my spare time and I have gone through Antec cases to Silverstone to Coolermaster to Lian-Li and so on and the medium to high end one are freaking expensive! Scarely! Some go well into £200-300 (GBP) without the psu!:-o
My original idea was to create something similar, big, aluminium bits, chrome, flashing lights then the engineers told me:"Son, you are going to have to sell it for £200, let's cut the crap, go back to the drawing board and think small, compact, light, you might even enter Apple territory design wise" so off I went, cut cost here (the reset switch) cut there (the Menu switch) cut the aluminium, the chrome, the cover for the LEDs and so on...hopefully the price will be accessible...I hope so anyway. :-)
>>Other cheaper ITX cases with hints of design: Silver Silverstone SST-LC12-S Mini-ITX is about €80, Silver Casetronic C137 Travla Mini CheckerCube ITX at €97.
Add to that your time, effort, skill with a dremel to make the holes fit, if the case is too big you will have to purchase extensions...a nightmare!:lol:
>>With the MiniMig case you get:
1) Unique Amiga design case, for a unique form factor card
2) Exclusive limited edition production run (euforism for small scale one person initiative)
Hmmm...talking of exclusivity who wants the one with serial number 4? :-)
>>I'm sure I could count more points, but it doesn't matter. With his design skills and entrepeneurship I'm sure Loranio could have made a killing on producing unique designs for ITX flex (SAM) and ITX(efika). There really isn't much to choose from. My dream is a Psile-like case just a little taller than a mac mini. And I'd buy two of them. One for a x86 AROS/Ubuntu box, and one for an efika MOS/*nix setup.
Keep them coming I will be on it once the Minimig is sorted :-)
Talking of mac mini, we are not too far away, at least shape wise (no fancy bits though).
>>But think of the scale Silverstone and Psile can produce in. And still be so expensive as you consider them. And then what someone like Loranio can achieve in that market...
Thank god he's focusing on MiniMig! :D hehe
:lol:
>>(but TheDaddy, you need to fix up Efika and SAM before Natami, Natami can still wait some months! :))
:-o :lol:
I am drooling about the idea of making a case for those two motherboards, even though I have people pushing for a replacement A1200 case...
Thanks :-)
-
Amiduffer wrote:
C'mon Darrin, in the history of people who have invented products, its normal to put everything into something and not get an immediate return.
Just ask Elias Howe, who had to go seriously in debt and wait decades before people accepted the sewing machine.
Yeah, but I think there was a bigger market for sewing machines then than there is for $200 Minimig cases now.
What hurts this project is the fact that the Minimig formfactor is so unique and it is only houses Minimig v1.0 and v1.1 boards. Perhaps if the design can be adapted to house an Efika without the production company charging the same development costs then future projects will help to recover the costs of this first venture.
-
@Darrin
>>Yeah, but I think there was a bigger market for sewing machines then than there is for $200 Minimig cases now.
True, but my target is less than that for two reasons:
1) I wouldn't feel comfortable charging $200-300 for a case
2) I worked my backside off to cut all the nice features and save costs, although this is a challenge a designer loves.
>>What hurts this project is the fact that the Minimig formfactor is so unique and it is only houses Minimig v1.0 and v1.1 boards. Perhaps if the design can be adapted to house an Efika without the production company charging the same development costs then future projects will help to recover the costs of this first venture.
The sketches I have made for the Efika are not too dissimilar, we'll see.
If the meeting goes well and I can keep the price at around 85 Euros ($135 or £65 GBP) I would be quite happy and with me the people who buy it. :-)
I have this feeling that they'll say things like:"Have you included your time, your expenses, phone calls, days off work) which I haven't...
My main worry is starting production, reaching 50 sales (pre-orders) otherwise is Ciao, ciao
:-)
-
arnljot wrote:
@Darrin
$ is toy money now-a-days, he said €...
Strange, I get paid in US$ and I seem OK. ;-)
-
Cool! I have got a pre-order from Dennis...
Thank you :-D
-
TheDaddy wrote:
@Darrin
True, but my target is less than that for two reasons:
1) I wouldn't feel comfortable charging $200-300 for a case
2) I worked my backside off to cut all the nice features and save costs, although this is a challenge a designer loves.
>>What hurts this project is the fact that the Minimig formfactor is so unique and it is only houses Minimig v1.0 and v1.1 boards. Perhaps if the design can be adapted to house an Efika without the production company charging the same development costs then future projects will help to recover the costs of this first venture.
The sketches I have made for the Efika are not too dissimilar, we'll see.
If the meeting goes well and I can keep the price at around 85 Euros ($135 or £65 GBP) I would be quite happy and with me the people who buy it. :-)
I have this feeling that they'll say things like:"Have you included your time, your expenses, phone calls, days off work) which I haven't...
My main worry is starting production, reaching 50 sales (pre-orders) otherwise is Ciao, ciao
:-)
It's just a shame that you've put in so much work if you don't get some sort of reward at the end. Mind you, perhaps seeing people want to put a Minimig in your case will be reward enough for you.
I'm more worried about people saying things like "does that $135 include the motherboard, PSU and an SD card?" ;-)
When you finally show the case pictures, can you also show the original design so we can see how much had to be lost to keep the cost down? I'd really like to see your "ultimate Minimig" case concept.
-
Talking of expensive Amiga stuff...
If you click on the boing ball on my site there you can see my modded A1200, which I sold for only £350 (pounds) a year later.
Look at the specs and if I had known that the BLizzardPPC alone goes for more than £350 I would have put it on ebay... :cry:
Massive mistake!
-
TheDaddy wrote:
>> (but TheDaddy, you need to fix up Efika and SAM before >> Natami, Natami can still wait some months! :))
:-o :lol:
I am drooling about the idea of making a case for those two motherboards, even though I have people pushing for a replacement A1200 case...
And I sympatize with them, But a new wedgie for the A1200 doesn't make sense. Either you have a working A1200 in a Tower or a wedgie, or you have a broken A1200 in a wedgie or a tower. Either way you do not need a new custom case for it. You might want one, but you do not need one...
ViaITX, Via PicoITX, Jetway ITX, Efika and SAM users are the one who needs cases.
Sure I can order a buttugly cheap ITX case from an online store and order a custom decal for it. But it'll be like getting drunk in a bar and settle... or - yeah you get the idea.
After seeing a hybrid mutant between the mac mini and Psile with my third eye, I've contemplated building my own from plexi. But cost of materials and tools, and lack of skills are holding me back.
The efika open client isn't ugly, but it's not pretty either. And only the GA630iBK for SAM is simple enough, but I'd spray it white and put on some amiga decals... But then I'm just glossing over again...
Requirements for a kick ass case for the Amiga users, with appeal to any ITX buyer:
- Plastic case. Three colors: White (pearl), Red (crimson), blue (midnight).
- Decals: Aros cat, morphos butterfly, amikit eye or your linux distro
- Roomy for cards: one AGP or PCI paralell to the motherboard (could be problem with samflex?) Also some Amiga people would like to have two cards: GPU and Catweasel.
- Room inside: 2.5" disk and slimline CD rom
- External front: One USB, on/off/read write led.
- External bacl: Power plug and cutout to i/o shield backplate. Backplates for Efika or sam included.
- No screws design. Itx card "snaps into place", and top can be removed from bottom plate for easy access to "innards".
Foot print, about the MacMini. Height: A bit taller than the mac mini since it'll have to fit at least one PCI/AGP card.
-
Darrin wrote:
Strange, I get paid in US$ and I seem OK. ;-)
Yup, just couldn't help my self. I'm not doing so okay, because US ebay and Amazon is getting more and more tempting with their offers due to the current exchange rate...
-
>>I'm more worried about people saying things like "does that $135 include the motherboard, PSU and an SD card?"
AARGH!
:laughing:
I then re-direct them to ACube, Vesalia, Amigakit! :-)
What would make me happy would be seeing the compatibility issues sorted and writing to ADFs to save a game position.
I would be quite happy with that. I am having so much fun playing the classic games from the Minimig, it sits nicely on the desk, stick the card in and off you go...nice :-)
-
TheDaddy wrote:
Cool! I have got a pre-order from Dennis...
You have mail :)
-
arnljot wrote:
And I sympatize with them, But a new wedgie for the A1200 doesn't make sense. Either you have a working A1200 in a Tower or a wedgie, or you have a broken A1200 in a wedgie or a tower. Either way you do not need a new custom case for it. You might want one, but you do not need one...
I've got 2 A1200 Towers and I have to say that I would like a case were I can house the A1200 mobo, mount a CD ROM drive and a couple of hard drives to my FastATA, access all the ports and still have it in a "wedge-like" design. In other words, either a thicker (taller) wedge case design to mount the drives below or above the mobo or some sort of "shelf" behind the keyboard.
Unless you're using a Mediator or similar (or you have a fetish for hard drives), the typical A1200 tower has a lot of wasted space that will never be used.
-
>>And I sympatize with them, But a new wedgie for the A1200 doesn't make sense. Either you have a working A1200 in a Tower or a wedgie, or you have a broken A1200 in a wedgie or a tower. Either way you do not need a new custom case for it. You might want one, but you do not need one...
It's mostly because of the yellowing and some would like a bit more space, enought for an internal CD-ROM.
>>ViaITX, Via PicoITX, Jetway ITX, Efika and SAM users are the one who needs cases.
Roger! :-)
>>I've contemplated building my own from plexi. But cost of materials and tools, and lack of skills are holding me back.
I agree with that, plexi is fine but try and make 50+! Argh!
>>Requirements for a kick ass case for the Amiga users, with appeal to any ITX buyer:
- Plastic case. Three colors: White (pearl), Red (crimson), blue (midnight).
- Decals: Aros cat, morphos butterfly, amikit eye or your linux distro
- Roomy for cards: one AGP or PCI paralell to the motherboard (could be problem with samflex?) Also some Amiga people would like to have two cards: GPU and Catweasel.
- Room inside: 2.5" disk and slimline CD rom
- External front: One USB, on/off/read write led.
- External bacl: Power plug and cutout to i/o shield backplate. Backplates for Efika or sam included.
- No screws design. Itx card "snaps into place", and top can be removed from bottom plate for easy access to "innards".
Foot print, about the MacMini. Height: A bit taller than the mac mini since it'll have to fit at least one PCI/AGP card.
Taking notes...
:-D
-
arnljot wrote:
Yup, just couldn't help my self. I'm not doing so okay, because US ebay and Amazon is getting more and more tempting with their offers due to the current exchange rate...
I know what you mean. My brother lives in England and he ordered a Laptop for one of his sons from a USA website as it was about a third of the price it would have been in the UK at the current exchange rate. He had it delivered to my house and I said I'd mail it to him. UPS charged me $217 to mail it to him ("We have a special on today sir, and you get 10% off!") and then he was charged 85 quid when he received it for importation tax. It still worked out a couple of hundred pounds cheaper for him.
-
Still no pictures of the whole case???
-
TheDaddy wrote:
What would make me happy would be seeing the compatibility issues sorted and writing to ADFs to save a game position.
I would be quite happy with that. I am having so much fun playing the classic games from the Minimig, it sits nicely on the desk, stick the card in and off you go...nice :-)
That update should be out soon. The guy working on it said we could see it by the end of this month. Hopefully his estimate will still be correct.
-
>>I would like a case were I can house the A1200 mobo, mount a CD ROM drive and a couple of hard drives to my FastATA, access all the ports and still have it in a "wedge-like" design. In other words, either a thicker (taller) wedge case design to mount the drives below or above the mobo or some sort of "shelf" behind the keyboard.
Just what I have been asked recently.
Got a few sketches down already, but Minimig has priority. :-)
-
TheDaddy wrote:
It's mostly because of the yellowing and some would like a bit more space, enought for an internal CD-ROM.
Exactly. There's some "space saver" PC wedge designs available for purchase with a side mounted CD ROM. That sort of case would suit me. With enough clearance, there should be room to squeeze in that CD ROM and a 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive (or 2) plus a clockport USB card.
-
@Darrin
I agree. A lot can be done to improve the lives of A1200 owners. However, even compared to a MiniMig project it's a strange proposal. Since making a case for A1200 is building something for a shrinking market. Building for Efika, Flex and even MiniMig is building for a growing market (Counting Efika and Flex as ITX market, and you are playing with the big'uns).
That said...
I'd love to see two products. One, a product that would reroute ITX I/O ports to a PCB strip that would fit inside the backplate of an A1200. This way owners with dead wedgies could house an ITX inside their box easily.
Two, a new wedgie. The precessor or followup to product no one. This wedgie would easily hold either a A500 or A1200 computer (some modularity to back plate? I can't be bothered to look up my A500 now).
And bundled with the I/O reroute module, with keyboard - in three parts you'd have an Amiga like wedgie computer that would host any ITX, FLEX ITX or PicoITX with ease. Perhaps some height problems, but you have some freedom...
Such a product would consist of three main parts:
1) The wedgie, also compatible with A500 and A1200
2) The IO rerouter. Two versions could exist. One for Amigas which convert PS2 to amiga signals. One for USB and PC standards (Efika and Flex etc)
3) The keyboard for the PC version. A USB keyboard that connect internally to a USB header on the IO rerouter.
It'll be expensive as h*ll. IO rerouter for Amiga would be more expensive than the case, and keyboard would only be compatible with this setup. But maybe some standard ones for medical equipment or similar products could be sourced.
Also the Amiga version of the IO router doesn't need to be made since an amiga keyboard can be used. But it could be made for those cases where a wedgie amiga keyboard doesn't exist for you anymore or in your locale.
-
TheDaddy wrote:
Just what I have been asked recently.
Got a few sketches down already, but Minimig has priority. :-)
Well I think you have more chance of making some money off an A1200 case (or even an A500 or A600) case as there are more people with those mobos.
Considering the cost of an Elbox Tower ($250 + shipping), you should be able to undercut that to tempt people who really want to expand their A1200s, but who either don't want to spend that much money or find huge tower designs ugly.
-
>>Well I think you have more chance of making some money off an A1200 case (or even an A500 or A600) case as there are more people with those mobos.
Considering the cost of an Elbox Tower ($250 + shipping), you should be able to undercut that to tempt people who really want to expand their A1200s, but who either don't want to spend that much money or find huge tower designs ugly.
Tempations, temptations, must....go....to bed....before...I start...drawing again...must...go to bed...
:lol:
-
@ arnljot wrote:
There's some interesting ideas there. I must admit that some sort of router to allow PC/PPC small form-factor mobos to be housed inside the A1200 case and have thier ports routed to the rear would be interesting. I have an A1200 case which was turned into a USV PC keyboard for use with WinUAE using the KeyRah. That same Keyrah could be used to send the USB cable back to the new mobo's USB ports so that the Amiga keyboard could be used (shame about F11 and F12).
If a new wedge design would work for the A1200, A500 and A600 with just a backplane adapter then that would be perfect to maximise sales. I think the A1200 and A600 ports match up pretty good, but I'm not sure how close the A500 was.
-
Hi everyone,
I have been running around all day like a mad man!
Enclosure for the Minimig video released! :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yNsIaeQ4rQ
Please keep the orders coming as we are going into production soon! :-)
Price and more pictures to be posted on my site later today.
Thank you for your support,
Loriano :-D
-
That's a nice looking case in that gloss white (especially when shown with that thin white keyboard). It looks very professional (unlike my "nailed to a bottom of a PC keyboard" design). :-D
-
Thanks Darrin,
It's taken a lot of time/money but here we are. Let's make it happen, this baby needs to go into production! :-)
-
@everyone
Website updated:
http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html
Higher quality photos and video.
Thank you,
Loriano :-)
-
Nice pics. I have a question, there's one pic that shows the model number for your case design:
"BAFxxxxxxxxx"
BAF? Blind Amiga Follower? Was that deliberate? :-D
-
>>"BAFxxxxxxxxx"
BAF? Blind Amiga Follower? Was that deliberate?
Beautiful Amiga Future...maybe :-)
-
TheDaddy wrote:
>>"BAFxxxxxxxxx"
BAF? Blind Amiga Follower? Was that deliberate?
Beautiful Amiga Future...maybe :-)
Just wait until the Minimig has some sort of hard file/hard drive support and then I'll show it doing something amazing. ;-)
-
I'm gobsmacked. Your case is simply unbelievable. :crazy:
-
>>Just wait until the Minimig has some sort of hard file/hard drive support and then I'll show it doing something amazing
I am intrigued! :-)
-
>>I'm gobsmacked. Your case is simply unbelievable.
Thanks gklinger.
I have posted more photos on the site:
www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Please keep the pre-orders coming we need to reach 50.
Price to be announced soon, plain enclosre/case or with Minimig logo/name.
Thank you,
:-)
-
That looks really nice, I'm very impressed :-)
I never knew the apple keyboard and mouse would work with a USB->PS/2 adaptor :-o
-
Hi,
Thanks for the comment.
I haven't tested the Apple keyboard and mouse yet, they were used for presentation purposes only.
I know that the USB to PS/2 adaptor works with my pc Logitech mouse but I don't know if it works with the Apple ones (keyboard or mouse).
Thank you :-)
-
Hello Mr. Daddy. :)
Great Work, please, one case for me. I'll send you a PM.
Regards
-
>>Great Work, please, one case for me. I'll send you a PM.
You are on the list.
Thank you very much,
:-)
-
@everyone
What a day!
A battle of wills and emails! At the rate of one every 4 minutes!
We have reached a compromise, the plain case is scrapped as the difference between the two was minimal, a lot less than the expected £8 (10 Euros).
So everyone who has ordered a Minimig enclosure should get the name/logo included in the price. For those of you, not very many, who asked for the Minimig enclosure WITHOUT the name/logo, I'll include it in the box with the enclosure and you can then decide what to do with it.
I was pushing for an affordable price, to make it happen, the sales manager was going for a more realistic and completely different price (to recover costs etc.), we met in the middle.
Some of you will be pleasantly surprised (even amazed or just think I am stupid! :-) )others not so but it undercuts any mini-nano itx by a big chunk! I am glad. I prefer seeing it happen than not.
Also all I want is to sell my creation, make the community happy with something new and fuel future projects.
We haven't reached the magic number yet (50) to go into production but many thanks to everyone who has registered their interest, very much appreciated and it really makes me want to carry on with this and future projects.
A bit of statistics:
The majority of orders are from Norway, Sweden and Denmark (you really love your Minimigs there!) I have an order from one of you for 4 enclosures!
followed by the U.K., South America, Italy, Germany, Austria and then Canada and the U.S.A.
I found it really interesting. :-)
Final price later tonight,
Many thanks again,
:-)
-
Nice work TheDaddy! I'll raise a glass to your efforts! :pint:
-
>>Nice work TheDaddy! I'll raise a glass to your efforts!
Thanks, I am going to join you.
To something new and exciting! :pint:
-
I have updated the page a bit:
www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Thank you,
:-)
-
Added two more pictures of the rear with the cables connected.
http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rear_fully_loaded.htm
Thank you,
:-)
-
How about giving people a peek inside the box. It would be interesting to see for the MiniMig is mounted.
Hans
-
@Hans:
An undressed Minimig, could that be considered to be x-rated?
-
Sorry for reviving this slightly old thread, but i just dropped by, and wanna say how amazing i think this is...
It's nice to see there is finally some movement going back into the Amiga scene.
Hope there are enough orders.
Awesome job, Loriano.
-
@Steril707
Sorry for reviving this slightly old thread, but i just dropped by, and wanna say how amazing i think this is...
Thank you. :-)
>>It's nice to see there is finally some movement going back into the Amiga scene.
Hope there are enough orders.
Awesome job, Loriano.
Thank you very much for the kind words, you can't imagine how happy that makes me! :-)
Anyway I have been pretty busy and the first batch of enclosures has gone into production, not as many orders as I would I wished for (had to chip in myself) but at least it's happened! Thank you to all the people who have bought (pre-paid) one.
I have one more little surprise...coming soon. :-)
-
I've only just browsed across to this thread, and I have to say that this... is... brilliant...!
(The towered A1200 is pretty amazing too by the way)
Unfortunately I'm not in the market for a minimig, but hats off to TheDaddy for getting this far - hopefully you get to enjoy the fruits of your labours!
Cheers,
AndyC
-
@AndyC
>>I've only just browsed across to this thread, and I have to say that this... is... brilliant...!
Thank you, it's been very, very hard but it's here now :-)
>>(The towered A1200 is pretty amazing too by the way)
Thanks, that WAS my pride and joy, until I decided to sell it (for very little money - £300) to finance an A1 (which then sold out!) :-(
>>hopefully you get to enjoy the fruits of your labours!
I hope so, I am so much in the red at the moment it makes me hysterically mad! LOL! :-)
-
Is it late to get one?
I'm getting a MiniMig in shot, and I want it to look THAT COOL!!
I live in spain, but I can use paypal or whatever you want to pay in advance.
Thanks
-
I just check out infos about the Amiga community every few months, i have to admit, or i would have commented on your awesome project much sooner...
For the last few years it was kind of depressing sometimes, but at the moment, i feel there are a few really shining sparks in the dark night, and your endeavour with the MiniMig case is one of them (others being NatAmi and AROS for me)...
Btw, after the prepaid ones given out, are there a few units left?
-
@gaula92
>>Is it late to get one?
I'm getting a MiniMig in shot, and I want it to look THAT COOL!!
I live in spain, but I can use paypal or whatever you want to pay in advance.
No, it is not too late, I will still have some left, but please email me:
amigarulez@hotmail.com
PayPal is the only payment method at the moment so that is ok.
Thank you. :-)
-
@Steril707
>>For the last few years it was kind of depressing sometimes, but at the moment, i feel there are a few really shining sparks in the dark night, and your endeavour with the MiniMig case is one of them (others being NatAmi and AROS for me)...
I think Dennis did a great job and ACube have had the guts to produce it. As a designer and an Amiga nut I thought I had to do something (it was scary) even though has cost me loads in time and money. I agree that things are getting better, the Minimig is a lot of fun and extremely cute. It is also fun because it's not perfect yet, not until the new firmware is released. Natami looks promising and I am already working on a case for it.
>>Btw, after the prepaid ones given out, are there a few units left?
I will have a few left and if people are still interested I can order a new batch. The more I produce the less they will cost too. Which is nice. :-)
Have you checked the video on youtube?
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=7yNsIaeQ4rQ
Thank you.
:-)
-
"I think Dennis did a great job and ACube have had the guts to produce it. As a designer and an Amiga nut I thought I had to do something (it was scary) even though has cost me loads in time and money. I agree that things are getting better, the Minimig is a lot of fun and extremely cute. It is also fun because it's not perfect yet, not until the new firmware is released. Natami looks promising and I am already working on a case for it. "
------------
I can feel the scare you had, and cause of this, mucho respecto for you ;)
Have you checked the video on youtube?
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=7yNsIaeQ4rQ
Thank you.
-------------------
Yeah, i already checked that out. Good stuff...I am still fascinated, that a non corporate person can do something like this as a "home project". It looks so incredible professional, reminds me a lot of my Nintendo Wii. Might make a good companion to it, i guess. ;)
I think you should do a little bit more "advertising" for those cases, i think there are a couple of people left who don't know yet about those.
-
>>Yeah, i already checked that out. Good stuff...I am still fascinated, that a non corporate person can do something like this as a "home project".
Thank you. The whole thing from concept to prototype has taken 6 months plus another 2 months for all the other non technical (more boring) stuff. I am knackered!:-)
I have loads more ideas and I have already put down a few sketches for an A1200 replacement case, and before anyone asks, yes it is a wedge shaped case; the Natami case and another couple of things. We'll see if they will ever become a finished product, a lot will depend on how well the enclosure for the Minimig does.
>>It looks so incredible professional, reminds me a lot of my Nintendo Wii. Might make a good companion to it, i guess. ;)
Love the Wii, apparently it keeps you in shape too! :-)
>>I think you should do a little bit more "advertising" for those cases, i think there are a couple of people left who don't know yet about those.
How? If you have any ideas please let me know, apart from posting here and on amigaworld.net I can't think of any other sites which would be interested in it.
Any help, suggestion please do let me know.
Thank you. :-)
-
I have learned about your case from this site for instance, i think it's the biggest gaming site that exists (almost always over 2000 people online there):
http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?s=7b660ba62668d074c978071d771b5fc8&t=140252&page=12
But how to get the word spread is a good question... hmmmm...