Could a portable Amiga be built like this?

[amyren]

I just discovered the webpage from a guy named Benjamin J Heckendorn. He have blog with some really interesting projects.
I was actually googling for the original portable CBM 64SX when this page came up:

http://benheck.com/04-05-2009/commodore-64-original-hardware-laptop

This commodore 64 laptop is made from genuine C64 parts and with a stunning design. I did at first think it was an original C64 model that I somehow had missed.

My reason for posting it in this thread was that my initial thought was that if this could be made with a C64, it should be possible with an Amiga as well. And perhaps this page could give someone DIY person some inspiration.
Most attempts to make a portable amiga have been (in my eyes) quite horrible, design wise. Not that I could have done any better myself, but lets admit that eg. the Paws was not the most elegant laptop design ever made.
Looking around on those web-pages there is a description on how the case is made and maybe some other clues for anyone out there who wants to try to do something similar.

Edit: Must correct myself here, regarding statement of horrible DIY Amiga laptop projects. The Suzanne made by Simon Archer did look quite good.

[Kronos]

If you want to build a laptop from real Amiga-parts (read no Minimig,Natami etc) you would need to start with an A600-mobo as thats the only one small enough for a normal sized laptop.

Problem is it's also an extremly underpowered Amiga and once you start adding stuff like an accel (the ACA630 being the only reasonable option here) and an Indivision (also needed) a PCMCIA-card and Subway for connectivity you have not only a money problem but also one in space (this laptop would be very thick).

Driving this with batteries is also a no-go as the HW is neither low-power nor support any kind of powermanagment.

Or in short:
There is a reason why the PAWS used an A1200 and there is also a reason why it looks like it looks.

[Darth_X]

I just discovered the webpage from a guy named Benjamin J Heckendorn. He have blog with some really interesting projects.
I was actually googling for the original portable CBM 64SX when this page came up:

http://benheck.com/04-05-2009/commodore-64-original-hardware-laptop

This commodore 64 laptop is made from genuine C64 parts and with a stunning design. I did at first think it was an original C64 model that I somehow had missed.

My reason for posting it in this thread was that my initial thought was that if this could be made with a C64, it should be possible with an Amiga as well. And perhaps this page could give someone DIY person some inspiration.
Most attempts to make a portable amiga have been (in my eyes) quite horrible, design wise. Not that I could have done any better myself, but lets admit that eg. the Paws was not the most elegant laptop design ever made.
Looking around on those web-pages there is a description on how the case is made and maybe some other clues for anyone out there who wants to try to do something similar.

Edit: Must correct myself here, regarding statement of horrible DIY Amiga laptop projects. The Suzanne made by Simon Archer did look quite good.

I'm sure someone could build a portable system out of a CD32 motherboard. Its a shame that CD32 motherboards aren't more common though.

I'm thinking about a portable Natami myself...

[XDelusion]

Portable Natami...

Now that would rock!

[spirantho]

For what it's worth Ben Heckendorm is somewhat of a legend in other circles. The Atari VCSp is a work of art. He makes it look easy but it's not....

It's well worth looking at his projects, though - his workmanship is amazing sometimes!

[mikej]

I started ...

http://www.fpgaarcade.com/common/replay_july_lcd_large.jpg

It runs, but I haven't taken it any further yet.
/MikeJ

[billt]

He's got videos over at element14 as well, and Jeri Ellsworth is part of Element14's site now too.

I wanted Ben Heck's book but it's out of print and people selling used copies seem to think it's some collectible worth its weight in gold. Too bad, I wanted to read about how he makes the cases. I was told to search for PDF files out there, even if that's not legit.

I do think that FPGA things could give a better laptop than an actual Amiga motherboard, considering size and power issues. As soon as Yaqube has the updated 680x0 softcore and AGA added to Minimig, I'll be very excited and hoping for something like what you ask about. Also interested if Natami gets this kind fo treatment at some point.

[kolla]

If you want to build a laptop from real Amiga-parts (read no Minimig,Natami etc) you would need to start with an A600-mobo as thats the only one small enough for a normal sized laptop.

I'd use a CD³² mobo as base instead.

[smerf]

If you want to build a laptop from real Amiga-parts (read no Minimig,Natami etc) you would need to start with an A600-mobo as thats the only one small enough for a normal sized laptop.]

I would use a CD-32 motherboard, along with maybe a SX-1 interface, I believe both would be small enough to fit in a laptop.

[Problem is it's also an extremly underpowered Amiga and once you start adding stuff like an accel (the ACA630 being the only reasonable option here) and an Indivision (also needed) a PCMCIA-card and Subway for connectivity you have not only a money problem but also one in space (this laptop would be very thick).]

HMMMM! Maybe if I used an older larger laptop case, but I would use one of those 15 K cards that convert the older game machines to vga.

[Driving this with batteries is also a no-go as the HW is neither low-power nor support any kind of powermanagment.]

If I remember right the CD-32 is just 12V and 5V power. I could use a 12 volt battery for a laptop, and split it with a voltage ladder.

Or in short:
[There is a reason why the PAWS used an A1200 and there is also a reason why it looks like it looks.

How did a A1200 come into play here?  I was talking about a CD-32 board.

Son your not paying attention. I say a listen here, CD-32 not A1200, are you a listening son.

smerf

[salax54]

My reason for posting it in this thread was that my initial thought was that if this could be made with a C64, it should be possible with an Amiga as well. And perhaps this page could give someone DIY person some inspiration.
Most attempts to make a portable amiga have been (in my eyes) quite horrible, design wise. Not that I could have done any better myself, but lets admit that eg. the Paws was not the most elegant laptop design ever made.
Looking around on those web-pages there is a description on how the case is made and maybe some other clues for anyone out there who wants to try to do something similar.

Edit: Must correct myself here, regarding statement of horrible DIY Amiga laptop projects. The Suzanne made by Simon Archer did look quite good.

http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=18605&hilit=Amiga

You can see my attempt there, made mostly of wood.
And since the link i posted there last year does not work, you can check the build over at:
http://www.amigahellas.gr/showthread.php?5166-A600-GRL-project
I managed to fit most everything in it, but battery power was a no-no :-(

[smerf]

I'd use a CD³² mobo as base instead.

Now lookee here, we actually have someone a listening up,

kolla you one smart chicken.


smerf