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Creative Computers CD-ROM, Volume 1 (Legendary Design Technologies, Inc.)(1994).iso
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a1500_info
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1994-11-17
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The following information is a paraphrased Article reviewing the A1500, a
new case for the A500, painstakingly typed out by Mephisto!! l8r all...
The DIY AMiga: the A1500
------------------------
With just a trusty screwdriver and Checkmates A1500 kit, you can trun an
A500 into an A2000. Our reviewer gave it a try....
Let's face it, we would all like an A2000. Although the heart of an a2000 is
almost identical to that of an a500, two things set them apart. The
expansion potential, and the stunning looks(Well, maybe not-Editor's note).
Even an Unexpanded A2000 looks mean and powerful.
The a500 was never meant as an expandable, powerful machine, It was meant
for games. While this is enough for most of us, furthur expansion then what
it was designed for results in problems. And, More importantly, the A500
definately will not win any beuty contests.
500+2000=1500?????: In the short time since it's announcement, Checkmate's
A1500 kit has caused quite a stir among a500 owners. We have been swamped
with inquires about the A1500, a rather neat DIY expansion case that takes
the A500 beyond the expandabilty of a Amiga B2000. And it will look
nice (great!) complete with detachable keyboard.
The Basic kit comprises of two steel casings to hold the A500 PSU and
keyboard. Even before assembling, the first thing you will notice is how
strong the case is(Funny picture of reviewer standing on case is proof of
this!!) Both casings are handmade from Zintec steel and sprayed in a hard
wearing shade of cream(peachy!(That was a pun)).
The immediate advantages are immediately obvious. First, the internal drive
is brought forward from the side. For gamers, life will be much easier
because the mouse ports have also been moved to the front. If you have a
second drive or a 3.5 inch HD, it has space to mount it as well internally.
The Keyboard will now live in it's own casing which is connected to the PSu
via a curly cable. The drive and powerlights remain on the keyboard to keep
the A1500 easy to assemble, without any Soldering involved.
Conclusion: There are basiclly two factors involved here. If you just want
to make your A500 look pretty, the A1500 is too expensive for you. However,
if your serious about expanding your 500 like 2000 owners can, The A1500
will make the impossible become possible.
Construction:The A1500 construction shouldn't take more that
half-an-hour.All you do is open up the A500(voiding the warranty, but more
on this l8r) remove the PSU, keyboard and drive and move them into the A1500
kit. All can be done with a simple screwdriver. It comes with a printed
instruction sheet and a special animated tutorial on disk(This will be
helpful for sure, Watching it while you open up your computer and disconect
it will be Electrifying!!) If you are a clutz, you can have Checkmate do
this for you for a small fee(50 pounds).
Expansion: The base A1500 expansion slot has room for a single expansion
slot which can either be a 100 pin A2000 card, an 86 pin A500 card, or a
2000 processor slot. Although not standard, An A2000 slot can also be
fitted(This has to be done by Checkmate,as It involves a substantial amount
of soldering) enabling you to Use a flicker-fixer or a Video Toaster. The
power is really behind the Overrider box, Which is a card cage that fits on
top of the Base A1500. It provides a further 3 expansion slots(A2000). Up to
3 Overrider boxes may be added, providing more slots than an A2000(although
your computer will look like a Tower!!). If You use a Bridgeboard with it
however, The Overrider boxes do not have any PC slots, so A bridgeboard is
pretty much useless)
Specs:
------
Company:Checkmate Digital
Phone #:01 923 0658
Prices:A1500 base unit: 230 pounds
Overrider Box: 250 pounds each
A1500 and Overrider: 450 pounds
19 inch Rackmount A1500 and
Internal Midi Interface: 300 pounds
Rackmount conversion kit: 30 pounds
Footprint of Case:Same as A2000, half height (just under 19 inch square)
Nifty Feet for Top of keyboard to adjust to any angle
Note about Warranty: Checkmate will provide there own warranty , the length
depending on the age of the Machine.
I don't have a Digitiser so I can't show you a photograph of it. Here, I
will attempt to draw what it looks like.
_____________________________________________
| Joystick ports_ |
| _____________ ______|__\__ |
| | DF1: or HD | | DF0: | \ | |
| |______here___| |_here_|____\| |
| __ _V__ __V_ |
|______________________________(__)_\__/_\__/_|
^
|____Keyboard Cable Plug
How's that? ANyways, I don't feel like typing no more, so I'm outta
here.l8r...
-MEPHISTO