Re: Apple IIGS Laptop Project announces bare-bones pricing

[Drew <goggledrew@gmail.com>]

On 7 Apr, 18:14, rich12345 <aiiad...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Apr 7, 10:02 am, rich12345 <aiiad...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > From A2central.com:
> > By sfahey
>
> > The team behind the Apple IIGS Laptop Project has announced base
> > pricing for their ambitious portable IIGS — $1399 USD for the bare-
> > bones A2GS-L01.
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Yikes.  That's a dedicated GS user whoever buys one...
>
> P3 laptop + 1GB RAM + IDE HD + CF + KEGS at 40Mhz + windows (internet,
> desktop publishing, etc) = $200.  Has USB, CDROM, CIderpress,
> AppleWin, ethernet, PCMCIA slot, parallel port, serial port, stereo
> card, stereo input, keyboard, touch pad,
>
> If you guys need help making cases or brackets, I have a machine
> shop.  I have a friend down the street that has injection mold
> equipment.
>
> Instead of spending $1400 per laptop, why not pay an HDL coder to do
> the GS on Carte Blanche?  $250 per card, hooks up to an LCD easily
> (VGA), has flash and IDE onboard, Ps/2 to ADB conversion shouldn't be
> a problem
>
> I know an emulator isn't an apple II, but it does alot more for alot
> less...
>
> what is driving the price on the LT project?
>
> GS motherboard: $10
> power supply : (mini ATX): $50.00 on mini-box.com
> stereo output: $10 plus some soldering
> output to LCD:  dunno
> keyboard: $5 for ps/2 or USB, needs converter to ADB
> LCD:  $20
>
> I have about 10 Gateway laptops, great 14" LCD's.  Might make
> a good case + screen?  touchpad + keyboard too.  These were
> rescued from a computer recycling center that does not accept
> laptops, desktops only.
>
> Rich

I expect the laptop will be very well made and sometimes you can't
beat the real thing compared to emulation, but I do see your point. I
have Sweet16 , but for what i use my GS for i would rather use the
real thing (apart from when playing with code etc then copy and paste
of sweet16 is rather handy:)). I imagine the RGB converter's add a
considerable cost as well as being able to have a battery/charger etc.
Though I did suggest they looked at the LCDs that i have found in the
UK that can just use a Scart for RGB as they produce very good
pictures and the LCD only costs £99. Though I don't believe they
fitted in the space limitation.

The laptop stereo card i made for them had to take into consideration
powering internal speakers as well as headphones/ext speakers and has
a added power amp with volume control. The normal desktop stereo
card's expect to be connected to an amp or powered speakers.

In fact i think the most complete GS "emulaptop" is a Powerbook G3,
running Bernie. I can basically plug in my GS keyboard and mouse and
with Bernie full screen if feels like a GS Laptop.
One reason i have a couple of PowerBook G3s for this purpose.Though
the real GS machines and Sweet16 gets far more use.

Drew

Drew