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Post by jamesr on Sept 11, 2022 20:02:16 GMT
Sorry to ask, as I'm sure it has been...but an old childhood friend finally saw mine and flipped. I had to tell him the depressing news that they're not available.
So I though I'd find out. I hope they go back into production. I love mine, and would love one in my buddies hands again.
Countless all-nighters of Telengard and Impossible Mission when we were kids.
Thanks!
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Post by c64stuff on Sept 11, 2022 22:35:08 GMT
I just looked on Amazon yes says out of stock in the states but interestingly enough I see they have the European pal version of the mini available in the states. They also have the A500 mini available. You could just get the mini and plug a keyboard into it, or the raspberry pi 400 that's a retro wedge style unit complete with built in keyboard. There's many who prefer using it for emulating various retro systems and it has a Commodore 64 C or Amiga 500/12000/600 vibe to it's looks.
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Post by jamesr on Sept 12, 2022 0:21:07 GMT
Good ideas, and I appreciate it, but I was hoping to get a Maxi simply for the unit itself. I really enjoy mine and when he saw it, and typed on it, I could see it brought back some great memories.
I was hoping to hear they would be back in production again soon.
Everything I've read and watched about them (and I can say for myself) is positive and all units sold out.
I hope a 2nd run is in the cards soon.
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Post by c64stuff on Sept 12, 2022 12:27:08 GMT
They already restocked the Maxi two or three times on Amazon in the states so good chance they will again. More than likely the shipping delays are the cause. Since it keeps selling out it would make sense they'd order more. Also there are some companies overseas that will ship to the states but I can't remember which ones. I do remember seeing that though for the Maxi.
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Post by jamesr on Sept 12, 2022 14:13:52 GMT
Thank you. That's good news! I'd hate to think the run is over. I'm still in awe at how good a unit it is and nearly exact it looks.
I have a few other AtGames Throwback units, plus a few RetroPie home builts. But they just don't get you there like the C64 does. I even changed the badging with one I bought on eBay. Looks like my old unit on my desk again. Best part is... No bad reads, no extra cables, no drives going on fire. Lol.
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Post by c64stuff on Sept 12, 2022 14:24:11 GMT
Yeah it's a lot less hassle to use emulation than actual hardware unless you modernize an old C64 with a good power supply, new caps, and some form of modern storage like the 1541 Ultimate.
Far as the maxi goes, it's case is an exact replica of the slightly taller one the Vic20 and early 64's used. Later models Commodore made slightly less tall in height. I think Retro Games LTD used the older case so it was correct for the Vic20 version and early C64s.
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Post by jamesr on Sept 13, 2022 14:13:06 GMT
Hmm.. adjusted case and another run for 2 versions. Collectors like to collect. Lol.
Much of the other systems do well with emulation, but some are now moving over to FPGA Hardware emulation. Which works really well. Better than software.
I don't know if that's what the C64 Maxi is, but there are a lot of benefits to going FPGA.
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Post by c64stuff on Sept 13, 2022 21:59:04 GMT
No the Maxi is using emulation, but yeah FPGAs are getting real popular. They keep coming out with new cores for not only retro computers and consoles but also for retro arcade machines. There's even an interface for them now to easily plug into most standardized arcade cabinets back then that had harnesses for the arcade controls, CRT, coin mechanism, etc. LGR just did a video on that a few weeks back. It's a nice option because original arcade cabinet boards are getting real expensive and they often need a lot of work and recapping to get them working again.
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Post by jamesr on Sept 18, 2022 12:49:09 GMT
Oh that would be great! I've restored and converted a total of 6 old arcade machines over to MAME units, and I have 1 dedicated cafe Up n Down which I love, but I dread every time I turn it on. Just waiting for it to burst into flames. All that old circuitry and the CRT itself lends to the wonder if keeping it old school is worth it. Lol. The best part of owning the cabinet, is the cabinet itself. So that would be a welcome addition to owning arcade machines.
Thanks for the info!
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Post by The Geek on Skates on Dec 17, 2022 22:23:25 GMT
Wait, TheC64 is no longer in production? The retro gaming community has gone nuts over it - and I absolutely _LOVE_ TheVIC20! I can't imagine them ever being unpopular enough to discontinue (especially compared to a real C64, which costs twice as much for a good recapped one, and even then doesn't include the joystick, disk drive, games etc.). Glad I got one when I did!
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Post by c64stuff on Dec 17, 2022 23:49:28 GMT
I don't know if they're out of production, and even if they are it's a good chance they have a warehouse full of them and fill orders as needed that are requested by retailers. Amazon in the states has already restocked the C64 maxi at least two or three times. TheVic20 was a more exclusive limited run, and the 64 mini can be found easily at many retailers big and small, at least in the states.
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Post by The Geek on Skates on Jan 16, 2023 22:31:51 GMT
Yeah, I get that TheVIC20 was pretty much a limited edition TheC64 (in fact it said so on the box if I remember correctly). Kinda wishing I had kept it in the box for that reason - total collector's item there! My concern though is that like Real C64s/VIC-20s, TheC64/TheVIC20 will eventually break down. Time can be a cruel mistress, even if you take care of your stuff, and unfortunately I don't know how to do electronics repairs.So I just don't like the idea of not being able to replace it if I ever need to. Sure there's always VICE, but VICE on RetroPie is a mess (dog-slow at best, unusable at worst) and I mean come on, the keyboard is the main thing that makes the "maxi" so darn cool! The mini is cute, but if anything I'd say that's the one they could stop making. But I'm glad to hear they at least have a lot of them still in stock.
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Post by c64stuff on Jan 17, 2023 1:03:25 GMT
I'm guessing they don't produce the mini C64 anymore cuz you can find it fairly easily and like for around $25 to $30 at least in the states. Remember they produced the C64 Mini and A500 mini to partly raise money to make full size versions if enough sold.
Judging by the C64 Maxi being made, and by the seemingly big response to the A500 mini being bought by even non Amiga owners that just love retro gaming or collecting mini retro consoles, I'm betting the A500 maxi is going to be made too.
The C64 Maxi I'm guessing they might start another production run on if they haven't already because it's getting harder to find and seems in big demand.
Although I love the mini and it's streamlined unique front end for ease of use over C64 emulation on something like a raspberry pi or PC without as much hassle at doing stuff, there is no doubt the full size Maxi with working keyboard offers things any emulator can't, simply because the keys match without guesswork even beyond the easier to use Commodore specialized frontend of it that's less hassle than emulation on something like the Pi or a PC.
If anything, probably the best way to emulate a C64 or Amiga for that matter without buying a mini or maxi, would be to buy a Pi 400 all in one wedge keyboard, and then buy or make stickers for the keys to illustrate the other possible functions they have using shift or whatever.
As much as I love the Pi their continued shortage of product while other single board computers aren't having such price inflating issues might cause the Pi to lose the lead in software development. There's another company who offers a single board 400 keyboard setup clone complete with HDMI as well as VGA output for retro gamers or just PC users using an older TV or monitor.
I posted a thread on this several weeks back but I can't remember the name at the moment. Think it was an Orange Pi 400 or 800? It's got several advantages over a Pi400 keyboard unit and unless the Raspberry pi foundation gets their supply issues sorted out these other companies might out sell them because the main selling point of a pi was software support by the general community. If the general community can't even buy the product that's a potential issue.
Far as Vice in general goes on a PC or Pi it's much more able to emulate a C64 and without slowdowns than the versions on a mini or maxi. You have much more options to tweak the setup and things like input or output peripherals. The less hassle front end of the C64 Mini or Maxi is definitely better in many aspects though to appeal to the general public or casual C64 user, or the general Amiga user on the A500 for that matter too
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