Renderings of Alpha Enclosure (with Keyboard)

At the end of the day, it will be a 3D printable enclosure, they won't even have to hack the enclosure, they'll just need to change the CAD design an print another one with their changes.

That's the point of the whole thing, having fun, customization.

For me, I just want to realize my vision the way I saw it and then people, if they like it will be more than welcome to modify it as they see fit.

For pete sake, I am including an Internal Connector for a C64 compatible keyboard, this is certainly not something I am looking forward to use, but I am sure and I hope peeps will come up with an enclosure that will include the keyboard, like A500.

S

Ok. As long as the lines for IEC and power is there... no problem. Just cobble an interface to plug into the header. Some may decide to drill some hole to put an externally connector. You know those hacker kind.... :-)

The pictures you see at the top of the threads are early renders, things have changed. Early on, there was no IEC, only internal floppy. Back then, it didn't occurred to me that it would be nice to have a Commodore IEC connector. Now, there is one.

Then, somebody asked me if I could add a CN4 (reference to the new C64 remake (black board)) type connector inside which is basically a 8 or 10 pins header with the IEC Signals+Power and I agreed to it and in exchange I removed the SDCARD connector from the official motherboard design, saving me some I/O on the custom chips.

So, bottom line, there will be a place inside the unit for a custom design version (just doing a layout that fits the mechanics) of the SD2IEC. So anybody feeling to fire up their CAD software will be able to come up with a version for it.

Very soon, I will be able to release the mechanical specifications for it as well as the mechanical specifications for the expansion card.

S

How would someone hook up external drives? For example, I already have an SD2IEC, a Flyer Internet Modem (that plugs into the Commodore Serial Bus connector [IEC]), and the 1541 Ultimate II. However, the SD2IEC needs a power source to power it. The Commodore Serial Bus connenctor doesn't have any power pins. But only need a 5v line and a suitable ground.

If you have an internal header then perhaps, we have a possible "hack" solution for daisy chaining a connection for IEC to the outside world but of course hackers would drill holes as they did for C64DTV. Don't forget, I have some dot matrix printers still.... lol.

wavestarinteractive,

There won't be any need for that. There will be a specific place for an internal SD2IEC.

Besides, when you see the latest version of the enclosure... There would have been no place for it anyway.

Stefany

If there is a way to do it, to include a Commodore Serial Port DIN connector with an adjacent 7-pin Mini-DIN to use the Plus/4 style cassette port connector.... (nice if fully functional as a cassette port for the data cassette devices but at least it has the lines to supply power in a pin compatible way to be able to use it for the SD2IEC devices for the C-16 & Plus/4 models. The connector is readily available and it would provide the support needed for such devices for supplying power to it. It's also small profile and would be suitable right next to the Commodore Serial port connector.

Thanks Stef. A floppy is a floppy, was just curious but yeah I am sure there will be plenty of people coming up with custom cases and tower mods, etc, just like they have done with every other Commodore computer. Awesome stuff, keep up the good work.

Hey Zippy Zapp!,

Thanks for the nice comment.

Yes, the floppy is slimline... There is no regular 3.5" desktop size floppy in the plans right now... However, there is nothing that could stop you from changing enclosure to fit one of them... ;o)

S

Not too shabby for an ALPHA. Very nice design. DVI port eh,you are my hero. LOL. A very versitle port. I still prefer it over HDMI for computers.

That looks like a slimline floppy slot. Do you envision using a regular desktop 3.5" floppy drive, with black bezel of course?

I actually meant stickers to be put on the keyboard the user buys for it. No need to include a keyboard since you've used a standardized keyboard. Also for those people complaining about the PS/2 port, they do make USB to PS/2 port adapters. Oh and when I said the computer reminded me of the original PS2, I meant the Playstation 2, without the ridges around it. And yes... I Loved that design. I wanted to put a motherboard in side it. It's ironic that you pretty much beat me to it. :)

Ha c'mon, the keyboard is a model that I picked up at random so you would have a better idea of the size... 😂 But, you are right, It would be great to have a keyboard with the colors and all.

I won't be providing the keyboard though, if it was up to me I would provide a customized $100.00 unicomp keyboard... Clickydyclick model m keyboard.

Video will be on DVI, so digital and analog out. Sound will be separated out course. A good set of speaker monitor would be recommended.

Cheers

S

Beautiful of course, but you should include a sticker with the rainbow colors on the C256 to be put on the keyboard if desired. Something that can be purchased separately. Would look awesome. Also, I like that it has what appears to be a HDMI video output. Also, this reminds me somewhat of the original PS2....very cool design.