[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: ZIP GSX 1.0.1 vs 1.0.2
Hello Steve.
>> I have a couple of ZIP GSX boards that are version 1.0.1. Since i have
>> had them i had always wondered what the difference was between this
>> version and the 1.0.2 versions that came out later.
>> My question is what did the logic chips do?
> Interesting. I just came into possession of Zip GSX 1.01 and noticed the
> lack of those chips. Wasn't sure if it was practical to upgrade it or
> not. Can anyone else provide some data points on this? Henry Courbis?
> What's your experience with v1.01 vs. 1.0.2 Zips?
Well, I did notice a few differences between the 1.01 and 1.02. Thought I
had some pics of the 1.01 but it seems I don't. :-/
ZIP Technologies seemed to be one of those companies what never wasted
anything, including PCBs. Take the ZIP DRIVE for instance:
http://www.downloads.reactivemicro.com/Public/Apple%20II%20Items/Hardware/ZIP_DRIVE/Pics/DSCN0475.JPG
Why they wouldn't just redesign the PCB is beyond me. There has been some
speculation that they purposefully designed the PCB that way though. The
idea being that if the PLCC (square) chip becomes hard to find that they
could then build the board using standard logic ICs. Seems like an odd
strategy though to me.
So what the difference is between the two ZIP GSX boards, or should I say
the ASICs (large square IC), really isn't know (at least to me). Maybe they
weren't sure about the ASICs ability to work and only has a small batch
produced. Being this was 1989 (?) it was in the middle of the 'custom
logic'
reevaluation where it was really starting to become 'cheap' to produce these
large ASICs. So if the 1.01 boards kind of worked, and worked good enough,
why not sell them? It's just a business decision at that point. Then maybe
they fixed a few minor reliability issues and produced a second batch,
v1.02. Of course I have no idea what the real story is and I'm just
speculating. In 1989-90 we all kind of knew that Apple II was on its way
out. So that's where I start to consider the 'small batch' theory.
There's my two cents.
--
Henry S. Courbis
www.ReactiveMicro.com
Legacy Hardware and Support - Come take a look at what we have to offer!