Classic computing fanatic Joe Burks has designed an eight-bit almost-single-board laptop constructed round a MOS Expertise 6502-compatible processor — providing compatibility with the favored Commander X16 mission at a decrease price: the OtterX.
“For these asking for a inexpensive Commander X16 package that they might assemble themselves: a DIY, all-through gap, Commander X16-compatible, ITX kind issue, eight-bit retro laptop package with an lovable Otter mascot for the industrious retro fanatic,” Burks writes of his creation, referring to it as a “neo-retro principally through-hole laptop” providing “bonus options” above and past the Commander X16.
The OtterX goals to supply a Commander X16 suitable “neo-retro” computing expertise at a decrease price. (📷: Joe Burks)
The center of the system is a Western Design Middle 65C02, a current-production equal to the traditional MOS Expertise 6502 present in machines from the Atari 2600 to the Apple II, working at 8MHz — although Burks says the design may also be used to play host to a WDC W65C816, an upgraded 16-bit successor. To this, Burks has related 40kB of “low” reminiscence, 512kB of “excessive” reminiscence, and 512kB of read-only reminiscence (ROM) with a 1.5MB RAM enlargement within the works — and for many who like extra “neo” of their “neo-retro” the CPU might be overclocked to 10MHz.
Elsewhere on the board, which makes use of primarily through-hole parts to simplify meeting for these inexperienced in surface-mount expertise (SMT), there are two controller ports suitable with Tremendous Nintendo Leisure System (SNES) pads, PS/2 connectors for a keyboard and mouse, a Commodore IEC-compatible serial port with floppy disk help, a real-time clock (RTC) with backup battery, and an I2C Grove connector for add-on {hardware}. The principle board makes use of a VERA board for its video output and an OPM2151 “chiplet” equal to the Yamaha YM2151 sound chip.
The OtterX is equipped as a through-hole package taking round 5 hours to assemble, with all surface-mount elements already fitted. (📷: Joe Burks)
Burks is making the OtterX accessible as a package, with all surface-mount parts already put in, through his Tindie retailer at $274.99; the ITX-format board might be put in in a typical PC case and powered from a 20- or 24-pin ATX-compatible energy provide. Extra data, together with an meeting information, is obtainable on the mission’s Hackaday.io web page.
