Day 670, Apple 1 Replica 1

It's time to start assembling the Replica 1 Plus.

The Replica 1 Plus is a functional replica of the original Apple 1.  There are some differences, components have been consolidated so there are fewer IC's, and there is a USB interface in place of the serial interface.

Having a USB interface rather than an on-board serial interface means the often flaky USB to Serial cable doesn't have to be used.  I've looked everywhere, on top of cupboards, under plant pots, but I just can't find a PC or laptop with a serial port, meaning the only option is USB-Serial, which adds the complication of varying chipsets used in the converters which lead to compatibility problems, which lead to scowling, muttering and things being thrown about.

Compatibility has already proved to be a pain when trying to use the serial port on the KIM-1 - it would be preferable to go serial-to-serial rather than through a converter, the addition of a USB interface on the Replica 1 neatly sidesteps that.  Purists may not prefer it, and I've done lots of time getting diverse machines to talk using pairs of damp string myself, but the point of this isn't to spend time troubleshooting comms issues.

Other interfaces on the Replica 1 are for a PS2 keyboard and a connector for an Apple ][ keyboard.

There are two ROM's, the original Apple 1 version with BASIC and also the Woz Monitor and Applesoft Lite, giving you the option of fiddling with memory locations using the tools Steve Wozniak wrote and used.  There is a jumper on-board to select between the ROM versions.

Once the components are soldered to the board, and it passes the power-on tests then authentic 1970s Apple software and games will be run on it.

Microchess, NIM, Star Trek, and all your favourites.

Not that I can remember that far back.*

* I've never used an Apple 1 but did briefly use an Apple ][, which was much later.


For official/internal use only:
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