X500 PLUS prototype stage

[TheDaddy]

Hi everyone,



This is prototype 4 (or 5...don't remember anymore!)...

Anyway, it's a fully working prototype.

I have tried to keep it a simple, original design, with clean, modern lines.

Please register your interest by emailing me:

amigarulez@hotmail.com

I need to finish off a few things, get it anodised in either black or white and then it should be ready within...TWO WEEKS!

These are hand built so only a few will be made, again first come first served.

Price: I haven't got a clue yet, I have worked on this on and off for years, and a lot of time, money, prototypes and effort has gone into it, will let you know as soon as possible. The first few will probably be made at a loss.

It's entirely made out of brushed aluminium, will be anodised in black or white.

It's very, very light!

I am thinking of including a slim DVD-RW (Bluray on request) SATA maybe a picoPSU 160W with it but it all depends if I can get them in numbers...

Tested with x86 miniITX and flex boards (not all of them!) and with SAM 440ep, 440Flex and 460ex.

The keyboard is a full size, low profile one and will have empty (black) "Windows keys" (basically no Windows logo) so you can put whatever you like.

Possibility of localised keyboard.

For AmigaOS users I am planning to get the two A silk screened on them, this will depend on cost and I'll keep you informed.

The lettering on the case (X500 PLUS, NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK and SCROLL LOCK should also be silk screened, i.e. no stickers.)

Well...enjoy the photos and thank you for your support.

http://loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/welcome_to_the_x500_plus_project.htm

[TheDaddy]

:-)

It takes the sweet Lord's help to make and assemble them by hand, oh my!

Literally pouring my blood in! Aluminium might be a lovely and light material but you gotta be careful!

Anyway...hopefully next week I'll get it back anodised in black or white, I'll post the photos when I can. Thanks.

[TheDaddy]

@jorkany

It's an aluminium prototype...

[TheDaddy]

Looks amazing cannot wait to see it in black and white.

Thanks, I'll post the photos the minute it's anodised in black or white.

[TheDaddy]

Yes J
Natami should fit in nicely, including the expansion card.
Thanks :-)

[TheDaddy]

How much does it weigh?   :confused:

1.8kg

I'd say with the internal slim DVD/Bluray, and two HD brackets (again in aluminium) and the keyboard about 2.5kg...

Very light

[TheDaddy]

@Crom00 and Duce

Thanks both, appreciated.

      
I didn't know you designed the Natami logo, good job.

[TheDaddy]

@Kesa

>>How much do they cost to make? What about cpst per unit? Are they going to be mass produced or special orders only?

I haven't done the sums yet but I have worked on this project on and off for 3-4 years...maybe longer (I did the Minimig and 1541U cases in between) I'll have to sit down one day and check, I have also made several prototypes etc...

It depends on how many people are interested, at the moment we are looking at minimum 20 complete cases:

You get the whole case with keyboard (possibly localised) completely out of brushed aluminium, anodised in silver, black or white.

And all the other stuff:
pico PSU 150-160W and external brick
Slim DVD-RW or Bluray (on request)
Reset and ON/OFF switches
Rubber feet
LEDs and cables
2 side USB ports and Audio connectors (headphones and Mic).
2-3 aluminium brackets for DVD-RW and HD/SSD


Thanks

[TheDaddy]

@ Florida And @Gertsy

Thank you very much.

Being a fan of manufacturers such as Lian Li and Antec (they work mainly with brushed aluminium, and I have bought a few of their cases for my pcs) I thought it had to be aluminium.

Once I get it brushed and anodised it should look like the aluminium on the iMacs.

The case is very light and there is enough space for people to mess around with, I have ordered a Sapphire PURE Fusion MINI E350 with the latest AMD cpu and a PCI-Express card, SSD and it should make for a nice system, dual boot whatever you like with that retro feeling

[TheDaddy]

Very nice.  I've been hacking away at an old C128 case for my FPGA Arcade, but this looks a lot better.  My ownly concern with it being aluminium is how easy it will be for me to cut any new holes for the FPGA Aracde and the extender board neatly.

Great work!

Thanks Darrin, aluminium is versatile, case usually manufacturers use 0.8-1.3mm thick which is easy to bend, I have chosen 2mm to give it strength but at the same time cutting and drilling with a Dremel should be no problem, I have found it better than steel, oh by the way, I did make a prototype in steel and it weighed a ton!

[TheDaddy]

Well...you can't please everyone

[TheDaddy]

In that case (pardon the pun), add me to your interested list.  All I require is the case and the keyboard (I take it that it has a PS2 connector on the inside?).  I have a external cased power supply that I can run into the X500 case through a small hole.

I think the key to non-Eurpean sales is going to be weight reduction.  

Hi Darrin,

Sorry for the late reply...I have added you to the list, thanks.

The keyboard is USB.

About the weight reduction...one of the first prototypes was in steel! It weighed a ton!

Now it's very light being all alluminium.

[TheDaddy]

Just a quick update:

Changed the round nose (towards the end of the keyboard) for a corner one, because of production costs but, to me, it looks even better, following the clean lines of the rest, it also makes the case slightly shorter.

On top of this Amiganews.it member Alblino has already started modifying the X500 PLUS and give a representation of possible colours, have a look at the white version:

http://amiga.ikirsector.it/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=15490&start=60

[TheDaddy]

@persia

>>Can you put a UNIVAC logo on it?


No, but I can put an Amiga logo on it...

[TheDaddy]

I just need to clarify something regarding the above post.

Where I say: "No, but I can put an Amiga logo on it..." it is clear that if it requires permission, permission will be asked.

I have just been contacted by Barry of CommodoreUSA who is reminding me that the Amiga name and logo are licensed to CommodoreUSA.

I hope it's clear.