Just thought I’d throw a quick post up… I’m going to be starting a Mimeo build very soon. (For those unfamiliar with the Mimeo, it is a (rather faithful) clone of the original Apple-1, Apple’s first computer. I got to use the real thing at KansasFest 2013, thanks to Chris from Chicago, and caught the bug.)
What all have I bought so far…
- Mimeo PCB, PROMs, and ACI replica from Mike Willegal – still waiting on that
- Panasonic RQ-2102 cassette recorder. I did find out that this is not the cassette recorder that Apple recommended in 1976 (it appears to have come out in 1994, in fact), contrary to what’s floating around, but it is one that apparently works quite well with the Apple Cassette Interface.
- Apple-1 parts kit from Unicorn Electronics – that shipped lightning fast, sitting on my kitchen table now, although I need to check the BOM against what shipped just to be safe
- Various odds and ends for the power section (mostly from Digikey) – well, I just ordered those, so except for the couple things I got locally today…
- Oak plywood to use as a base to mount all of this on – needs to be stained to look better, but I think it’ll be decent
What I still need to buy…
- Replacement encoder for the ][+ keyboard that I have – many years ago, I was given a ][+ that had been (even more years before that) converted into a (cheap) analog clock. Machine was gutted, hole drilled in the lid to install the clock guts. So, it’s a damaged case, and a keyboard – I don’t feel bad about taking the keyboard (the lid is the interesting bit anyway as far as this particular machine’s history goes). Unfortunately, when it was gutted, the encoder was taken. There’s a couple options I’ve got here – Vince Briel sells the Apple II Super Encoder, and Wendell Sander once did an Apple-1 specific encoder for the Apple II keyboard – I need to see if he still has any.
- Plexiglas cover. My ideas for the enclosure are extremely minimal – wood base, with everything mounted to it, some nice tall standoffs (about 4 inches), and a plexiglas cover.
- Plexiglas box around the power components. (Das 120-Volt-Komponenten sind nicht für gefingerpoken!) This will need to be laser cut, and will provide mounting for the fan (I don’t trust those power components to stay cool otherwise), power socket, and power switch.
- Vince Briel’s Slot 1 Expander (listed on the page for his Replica 1 (which is not a replica, but it is compatible with the Apple-1)) – not needed, but nice to have, and I’ve got a nice place for it in my planned case layout. And it makes some plans for Apple-1 shenanigans a little easier. 😉
- Maybe a CFFA1? But I don’t strictly need that…
I’ll be posting more status updates as I make progress along the path to owning a computer 1976-style.