First Look at the Mega 65

[dawlane]

Well Nostalgia Nerd has done a review.

[Steve Elliott]

Yeah I saw this last night.  It was a very expensive computer with a limited run of 100 at the moment, a little rough around the edges proof of concept machine.  Who knows when more will be produced?  Lovely keyboard and design though.

 

[Dabz]

I see all these different versions of old micros, I mean, the ZX Spectrum has had 20 revisions or whatever... And I always think... Where's the Amstrad one at?

Dabz

[Xerra]

I see all these different versions of old micros, I mean, the ZX Spectrum has had 20 revisions or whatever... And I always think... Where's the Amstrad one at?

Clue is in your quote. They remake proper computers, not that silly Amstrad thingy

[Steve Elliott]

lol they repackaged the Amstrad and called it a Spectrum+2 to try and make it more popular.   

[Dabz]

Clue is in your quote. They remake proper computers, not that silly Amstrad thingy

I used to like you!

Seriously though, there is as much of an Amstrad community out there then their is speccy or commodore, and deserves a bit of love... I watched a Kim Justice video and he had something major against the Amstrad, not sure if it was just with Sugar Tits of the Sir, anyway, he did one with Amstrad games and he changed his tune about the system, which to be fair... Was THE BEST AT THE TIME ANYWAY!!!

Nerrrr ner ner nerrrrr nerrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Dabz

[Steve Elliott]

I think 'he' is now a she.   

[Dabz]

Aye, I know... But I watched her videos before she done the gender of trans thing and well, when I see her, its still him! :/

If that makes sense?

[Steve Elliott]

Very similar hardware in later revisions of the Spectrum to the Amstrad, but the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 were so popular and a name everybody knew...Looking forward to my Spectrum Next...Maybe they'll have an Amstrad 'personality' (which is their term for re-configuring the FPGA hardware to other systems).  The same sound chips as the Spectrum+/Amstrad Models in the Next so that won't change.  Keyboard will obviously.

[bsisko]

I hear ya Dabz.  Of course growing up, I was a commodore 64 sucker, but being from the America's, I can't help but wonder when the Atari (make it the Atari 1200(XL or XE) if anyone is reading this) and Apple II (I would prefer the IIC and IIGS myself) machines will get their turn.  I know they were not as popular as the C-64, but come on.

[dawlane]

One of the reasons you won't be seeing any similar reconstructions of other types of old 8 and 16 bit computers is down to whoever owns any patents to the original devices and the IP to the ROMs. Even the Mega 65 has to use a compatible kernel, as Cloanto think that they own the ROMs and take anybody to court over it, when they only have the licence sell the legacy ROMs.
Look up Hyperion vs Cloanto.

The only reason that the Spectrum Next exists, is that the producers have an agreement with BSkyB, the current owners of the ZX Spectrum ROMs, under the condition that they have to make a donation to a named BSkyB charity.

[Steve Elliott]

but being from the America's, I can't help but wonder when the Atari (make it the Atari 1200(XL or XE) if anyone is reading this)...machines will get their turn.  I know they were not as popular as the C-64, but come on.

[edit]
Dawlane posted as I did.  Fair point, but dissappointing.  Although 'The C64' does exist already without that issue.

Yeah I'm a little surprised too, a mate and myself had a few Atari Computers between us and thought they were great.  He Started with the Atari 800 and followed all the way up to a Mega ST (later I had an Atari 130XE and Atari ST).  Playing games like Miner 2049er, Bristles and Caverns of Mars was an eye opener, especially as my early Speccy had such poor sound in comparison.

The early 8-bit Atari Computers were ahead of their time, with hardware sprites and a pretty capable CPU (clocked twice the speed of the C64) and a better colour palette too.  But despite that fact the Atari re-imagined systems seem to be based on the much less capable Atari Console.  Like this piece of over-priced nonsense:

https://atarivcs.com/

[dawlane]

The C64 manual does mention that the ROMS are Furnished under licence from Cloanto. Which to my understanding, is that Retro Games LTD are paying Cloanto for the rights to use the ROMS.

[Dabz]

The only reason that the Spectrum Next exists, is that the producers have an agreement with BSkyB, the current owners of the ZX Spectrum ROMs, under the condition that they have to make a donation to a named BSkyB charity.

Well, the owners of Spectrum and Amstrad bios roms are one and the same, as I understand, so unless there's an extra level of "propriety" issue with the Amstrad bios, maybe with Locomotive BASIC, I dunno, I just dont understand why one hasnt at least been mentioned, but, the Amstrad bios can be bundled with an emulator freely, thats my understanding with it, so... Yeah, bit of a puzzle really!

Never mind though, I've still got my 6128, it's tucked out of the way at the minute, but it would be nice to have a little'un running, with proper HDMI because the signal is "odd", I've got to use a DVD recorder as a pass through to get a decent picture on my HD TV, either that, or use a monitor, whichever I choose, I always have to have an extra lump of gear on my desk.

Dabz

[Steve Elliott]

Well, the owners of Spectrum and Amstrad bios roms are one and the same, as I understand

Yes that's what I was hinting at.  I'm pretty sure I've seen the Spectrum Next switch to later model Spectrums with the Amstrad (rather than Sinclair) copyright text on boot.

Dabz and GfK often talk about Locomotive BASIC, was it a good version of BASIC?