AltairClone.com

Right now if you don't want to spend big bucks for a real antique Altair 8800 but you do want a real S-100 system and not an AltairDuino or Altair Clone, you only have one choice: Buy all the parts separately and build an Altair 8800c. Suppose you only need one .1pf capacitor? Can you buy just one? Not usually. Where do you get this part? Where do you get that part? You'll be ordering from many different sources and have to wait various times for each shipment.

My question is this: Is there enough interest for me to package and sell 8800c kits? You'd only have one thing to order and all the parts would be together in the correct quantities.

I'd be selling the kit at my cost. I don't want to run a business!

Right now I'm only gauging interest. I have no definite plans to do this but if enough people want it, I'll listen to the vox populi.


Feel free to delete this post if it's too commercial or if you have plans to market such a kit.

I'd be interested. Debated building an 8800c but sourcing all the bits didn't sound fun. Love the Altair clone but I think access to the bus would be fun as there is quite a bit of S-100 enthusiasm out there supporting cards with more modern hardware on them.

TronDD wrote:I'd be interested. Debated building an 8800c but sourcing all the bits didn't sound fun. Love the Altair clone but I think access to the bus would be fun as there is quite a bit of S-100 enthusiasm out there supporting cards with more modern hardware on them.

I'll keep your name on my list and if I do start shipping kits, I'll let you know so you can decide to order or not.

One advantage of the 8800c is that it's more expandable than either the Altair Clone or AltairDuino.
Those are both excellent kits and I have both but there's just something about having real floppy drives, five RS-232 ports AND a printer
online and still having a slot free that makes the 8800c worth it to me. Timesharing BASIC can use all five ports although
you should see the Altair struggle when all five are doing heavy computing!

Tom L

I would be interested if such kit exists

I would be interested

John D

As far as I understand (didn't do much research), the 8800c can be mounted in the existing Altair Clone case (with a new frontplate)? If so, I would be interested.

mcleinn wrote:As far as I understand (didn't do much research), the 8800c can be mounted in the existing Altair Clone case (with a new frontplate)? If so, I would be interested.

Yes, it can. You have to drill new holes for the 9-slot motherboard and power supplies but it's a simple job. If you already have a Clone case, you could save the $300.00 I'd charge for one.

Tom L

I'm definitely interested.