SCSI2SD v5.0 and Powerbooks. Adapter musings

[NJRoadfan]

So the new SCSI2SD v5.0 is out and available. The new PCB now fits within the footprint of a traditional 2.5" notebook drive and claims the ability to be powered via TERM power alone. Thinking out loud, how hard would it be to build an adapter PCB to mount this new unit into 68k SCSI Powerbooks? The only thing I'm wondering is if the TERM power input on the SCSI2SD will accept +5v directly or if a diode is needed. This would save having to wire up the power plug on the SCSI2SD card and lower cost/complexity of the adapter. Powerbooks don't provide termination power on the internal connector according to the PB140/170 Dev Notes, so this seems like a simple workaround. It would also solve the problem of the "Powerbook Edition" of the SCSI2SD device being discontinued.

Hmm, maybe I should contact the guy at codesrc about this .

 

[uniserver]

yup the thing runs from 5vdc.   The advantage of the termination power is for bus powered operation, for the external scsi port.

if he doesn't have a laptop version of the PCB, he probably will at one point even if he is sure that he won't (now) 

Now that he has most of the bugs worked out of the firmware, If he is happy with his new design pcb, and the ability to operate from termination power... he can concentrate on production and sales.

as time goes on he will see the need and make a laptop version… and get on ebay,  just as ARTMIX is…   right now artmix is the only person selling a CF to SCSI laptop version.

He (mike) thinks they don't sell…(laptop version) but he isn't really known either…    i mean business 101 people have to know your product exist's.   Consistency is what gets ya…    And artmix is consistently on ebay with his ad's up… so even if he doesn't make a sale,  Doesn't matter because enough people come across his ad will remember Oh that is where i can go to buy a CF solution for my powerbook when i have more time later in the year or what have you. 

You cant not even try and think that is how sales are gonna be.

i think most of his sales are just because of us tailing about it here and on the LEM list etc...

i don't know what code/src google ranking is… or how google searchable he is, when considering a person is looking for a SCSI hard drive for their powerbook.

or ay 2.5mm SCSI2SD solution… maybe that part needs work. 

 

[NJRoadfan]

I wasn't even suggesting another run of the "Powerbook Edition" PCBs. From a cost perspective, I was looking at just an adapter that takes the existing SCSI2SD 5.0 and adapts it to the 40-pin connector found on 2.5" drives. Basically a right angle adapter. I don't know the height clearance requirements in other 2.5" drive applications, but Powerbooks certainly have enough. Much cheaper to make a few of those as opposed to building and keeping a stock of the full PB Edition.

 

[techknight]

The 1XX series have alot of plastic/usability issues because of plastic. So I can see why the demand isnt so hot. 

But.. the powerbook Duos seem to be built slightly better, and could benefit from it. 

If it was mine, i would run an SD card extension ribbon, and tack the SD card inside the battery compartment, stick it on the sidewall. So you can still use a battery. But you remove the battery and remove the SD card to change/update files. 

 

[NJRoadfan]

The Powerbook 100 and 500 series appear to be the most popular machines that used 2.5" SCSI drives, everything else seems to be rare unobtainium. The Thinkpad 850/860 PPC machines and the Tadpole SPARCBook come to mind here.