Re: Apple 3.5 Superdrive Disk Controller

[Mitchell Spector <mitch2gs@hotmail.com>]

Drew <GoggleDrew@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Aug 26, 9:33�pm, "Christopher G. Mason" <c...@my-deja.com> wrote:
>> Michael J. Mahon wrote:
>> > I remember when Shreve Systems was selling them off NIB for about $20.
>> > Then a year or so later, they were being re-sold for about $30, and
>> > now, a few years later, they've become "gold".
>>
>> > They still are quite useful, but you are correct that the combination
>> > of CFFA and CiderPress has certainly made them unnecessary.
>>
>> I was lucky enough to get one from Shreve Systems for a whopping $50.
>> They apparently got overstock from Apple or something but never really
>> advertised that they had them. I thought it was a bargain at the time
>> for a NIB "rare" card. The few that popped up on ebay back then were

    That's how much I paid for my SuperDrive controller, second hand.
Bought it from Steve Disbrow when he announced he was closing 
down EGO Systems and selling his office equipment. I offered $50
based on the fact ABC Direct (a company made up of ex-Applied
Engineering staff) was about to release a clone of the card called
the "A.L.I 3.5" 800K & 1.44MB Controller Card" for $129. Still have
their catalog from 1995. Glad I bought his rather than waiting for the
ALI card, seeing that it never did get released.

>> going for a mere $100. I found it useful at the time, it saved me from
>> having to setup my Localtalk network or using a Mac as a "slave" to
>> transfer stuff to 800k disks. I guess I won't get into how I snagged a

    I still use the SuperDrive to this day as a quick and simple means 
to transfer data to my IIgs. For moving larger data files IOmega Zip
disks are handy, I have a SCSI Zip on the GS, and have a couple
of internal IDE based Zip drives hanging around, which I attach to
the PC with an IDE->USB adapter cable. Not quite as elegant as
a USB thumb flash drive, but it works.

>> TWGS with 32k cache for $25 or a VOC for $40...;)

    I got my TWGS free from someone in Sweden years ago (they 
had no idea what it was, they found it in a box cleaning their lab!)
and my VOC for $20, although I had to hand build my own video
backport connector since it was missing the original.

>$25!!!  lol I won't mention i picked up 2 x ZIP GSX cards for about
>$40 (about 6 years ago mind) ;-)...ok so not not as a good as  TWGS ;-)

    I better not mention the IIc C-Vue LCD (in practically new condition)
I got for 0.99 cents on eBay. Or the 6 x RamFAST SCSI cards (never 
opened) for $20-$25 each from a company dumping their Apple II 
stock. Or how about the local guy who sold me an 8/16 ZipGS, 
8/8 TWGS, 2 x Apple HS SCSI cards, RamFAST-C SCSI, PCT, 
a Pegasus internal HD and much more for a whopping $70. Or 
the ZipGS 9/32, Second Sight VGA, 4 x RamFAST SCSI cards, 
BlueDisk controller, SuperDrive controller, an 8 MB CV-RAM card 
among many other goodies, for the cost of shipping. Guess I've just 
been lucky, though much of these were picked up well *before* 
eBay existed and drove up prices.

    Then again, back in 2006 I did find two Vectrex joysticks in 
excellent condition, 20 games cartridges, 20 manuals and 20 original 
screen overlays for $25 on eBay. Anyone familiar with the Vectrex 
might have an idea how treasured these are. Still wish I could find
an Apple-made IIc LCD (though I do have 2 x C-Vue's). :)

Mitchell Spector