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Macintosh Classic II, FPU / Math Card (Picture)
- Thread starter uniserver
- Start date
Nice, how many layers is that board?
Did you guys noodle out the PCB puzzle yet? I doesn't look too bad, especially now with two different layouts to match each other against the documented pinouts of the Memory Slot and the FPU.
Nice graphic, mcd!
Did you guys noodle out the PCB puzzle yet? I doesn't look too bad, especially now with two different layouts to match each other against the documented pinouts of the Memory Slot and the FPU.
Nice graphic, mcd!
If somebody came up with a basic but reliable "ROM socket + FPU" card for Classic IIs (even if it were just an FPU socket instead of the actual chip), I'd buy one right away... assuming the cost were reasonable, of course. A board that small shouldn't cost too much to make even in small runs, thanks to the various prototyping services that have sprung up. I bet the worst part would be finding that weird-ass expansion-header connector for a reasonable price. Would a card like that even need any passives on the board, beyond maybe a decoupling cap or two?
From what I can tell, you're right, it just needs a few caps, and that's it.
Being able to actually use the ROM capabilities of the slot is very interesting. It would be great to be able to load from ROM like a Classic.
However, as you said, just a card with an FPU socket would be great.
Being able to actually use the ROM capabilities of the slot is very interesting. It would be great to be able to load from ROM like a Classic.
However, as you said, just a card with an FPU socket would be great.
the only thing that is slightly strange is that header,
the only 2 guys that i know right off hand that whip up PCB's are:
dougg3
bigmessowires
techknight
if any of these guys wanna whip up a board?
i think mcdermd has the ability, his brother is in the PCB making biz i think.
but he is busier then a worker ant.
i could do it, but i'm more of a stick with with i know type of guy, home brew up something, would end up trying to make a aweful looking but functional prototype thing. Maybe hack off a scsi connector and glue it to a proto board, glue the fpu to the board, and a to b, with those 2 caps/fpu?
the only 2 guys that i know right off hand that whip up PCB's are:
dougg3
bigmessowires
techknight
if any of these guys wanna whip up a board?
i think mcdermd has the ability, his brother is in the PCB making biz i think.
but he is busier then a worker ant.
i could do it, but i'm more of a stick with with i know type of guy, home brew up something, would end up trying to make a aweful looking but functional prototype thing. Maybe hack off a scsi connector and glue it to a proto board, glue the fpu to the board, and a to b, with those 2 caps/fpu?
I think having a socket you can put a custom ROM into is at least as important as having a socket with, or at least for, a 68882. Most older applications never used the FPU because they used to be so rare, but anyone who can download a hacked image might want to be able to plug in a custom ROM.
dougg3 could you please make a pcb for this?
also what would be the benefit of having a FPU in a Classic II? /w its crappy 10meg ram limit……
and how many people would want to buy one for their classic II?
I would assume a target price of $45 + shipping would be reasonable?
Can it be done professionally and sold at that target price?
next, bigmessowires, can you make a clone of the current SCSI to Ethernet adaptors that are out there?
i would assume you could get just as much for those as your floppy emu…
that would be the only way for machines like the Plus/ Classic/ Classic II and Portable to get online
also what would be the benefit of having a FPU in a Classic II? /w its crappy 10meg ram limit……
and how many people would want to buy one for their classic II?
I would assume a target price of $45 + shipping would be reasonable?
Can it be done professionally and sold at that target price?
next, bigmessowires, can you make a clone of the current SCSI to Ethernet adaptors that are out there?
i would assume you could get just as much for those as your floppy emu…
that would be the only way for machines like the Plus/ Classic/ Classic II and Portable to get online
I just happen to have one of the sonnet fpu cards. Don't have a classic iii to test with, but as simple as this card is - I doubt it could ever go bad. Would be happy to take some high-res photos. Or, make an offer if you want the card itself.
If anyone's interested, shoot me a pm.
If anyone's interested, shoot me a pm.
$25 plus shipping?
Sorry for ignoring everyone, I was busy with the hoard in Tampa. The card was claimed by uniserver, who did send the first PM for it. I got it from an amiga person, who bought it for just the fpu (and pulled it out of. The socket). I'll ask if he has any more, but don't hold any breaths...
