Re: A new pseudo-disk for Apple 2.

["anoneds@netscape.net" <anoneds@netscape.net>]

BLuRry wrote:
> SbM wrote:
> > Alex Freed <alexf@mirrow.com> wrote:
> >
> > > The big question is is there any interest in this device? If there is, I can
> > > make a small production
> > > run and offer for say $100. If not, I'll be the only owner of the only
> > > prototype.
> >
> > I don't know much about electronics, and the only question I have about
> > this kind of device, is : how come your device and Rick's CFFA cost
> > about $100, when the MMC64 for Commodore 64 is readily available for
> > EUR49 (incl. shipping) and the 1541-III is scheduled for released in
> > september at an announced EUR50.
>
> I'm not much of an expert in electronics, but these sorts of prices
> aren't too unusual.  This is very specialty hardware and in relatively
> low demand and rare.  Look up "catweasel mk4" on eBay, for example.
> (it's a apple/c64/amiga disk drive controller + sid chip soundcard for
> a pc -- CRAZY custom hardware in that thing)
>
> You can only lower cost if you go into full mass-production.  I'd
> imagine that you'd have to order the parts by more than a few hundred
> to get significantly reduced prices (even if the lower prices are not
> listed, you can negotiate for lower if you're placing a huge order.)
> Convert some of those crazy C64 users to be rapid apple // lunatics and
> maybe we'll get cheaper parts. :-D  Plus, using a FPGA increases the
> cost but is upgradable, which is very nice.
>

We have a compact flash in the TI community, that the developer made
_without_ input from us (secretly) then started offering on eBay for
$40 for both the adapter board and the ide to flash adapter, with a
32mb compact flash. Now it comes with a parallel port as well for the
same price...

And we are a smaller community...