The Minimig is back, now with the ARM controller!

[Darrin]

As a long-term Minimig owner/user who also has one of the prototype ARM controllers, I highly recommend these things to gamers who want an OCS/ECS A500 experience.

While you can access HDF files without the ARM expansion, the speed difference is massive, especially with large HDF files.  Without the ARM you'll have to limit yourself to really small files (plus, the ARM makes updating much easier).

Also, buy the board with the 4MB installed.  On my setup (4MB with ARM), I have a 2GB HDF file running ClassicWB with an endless supply of games installed to play via WHDLoad.

One more tip for those unfamiliar with the design:  Don't buy the boards without the PIC unless you're also buying the ARM controller.  You must have either a PIC or the ARM board for the Minimig to work.

Here's mine installed inside a eMachines PC keyboard:

[Darrin]

You can write to HDF and ADF files without the ARM and have the CPU run faster than 7.09MHz (don't know what the speed limit is though)

[Darrin]

Is that real hard drives and floppy disks or emulated hard drives and floppies?

Emulated.  ADF images for the floppies and HDF images for hard drives.  There are no connections on the Minimig to attach a real floppy or hard drive.

[Darrin]

Isn't Chameleon 64 with the latest Minimig core a better option like the Minimig 4MB with arm controller?

Depends.  I have a chameleon64 too, but it uses a softcore CPU.  Also, unless things have changed, you'll need the docking station to use joysticks as it doesn't (didn't) recognise the C64's ports.  You can use the IR CDTV controller which is fun.

If you want maximum A500 compatibility then Minimig is best.

If you want AGA then get the FPGA arcade.

[Darrin]

Perhaps some electronic gurus here could help me here

That wouldn't be me then.