Keatah Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 I still vote CFFA3000 for best USB/Flash solution for the Apple II simply because of the ongoing support. These boards have been supported since they came out years ago, including the earlier models. So that's my preference. But there are other solutions available like BMOW Floppy Emu and some other card (I forget exactly) that is an MP3 player that fits inside a standard expansion slot. Vague rumor has it there will possibly be a redesign of the CFFA board in a couple of years. Thus likely keeping it at the top of the heap. And I hope it supports standard/micro SD cards as I feel CF has become a niche format for pro photography. Not many consumer products are using it these days. It would also be nice to see an R&D card that's compatible for the //c. The //c has been gaining popularity for many reasons. Mainly small size and having basic interfaces already built in. So what's the future of flash memory for Apple 8-bits? What can we expect to see? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 I still vote CFFA3000 for best USB/Flash solution for the Apple II simply because of the ongoing support. These boards have been supported since they came out years ago, including the earlier models. So that's my preference. But there are other solutions available like BMOW Floppy Emu and some other card (I forget exactly) that is an MP3 player that fits inside a standard expansion slot. The CFFAs need a Slot, so that leaves out the Apple //cs, but with all the Built In utilities and Floppy and Hard Drive Support, they are very hard to beat.... Vague rumor has it there will possibly be a redesign of the CFFA board in a couple of years. Thus likely keeping it at the top of the heap. And I hope it supports standard/micro SD cards as I feel CF has become a niche format for pro photography. Not many consumer products are using it these days. As long as CF Cards are available, there should be no problem with maintaining the Current CFFAs, but probably the "next version" should be Micro SD and USB... It would also be nice to see an R&D card that's compatible for the //c. The //c has been gaining popularity for many reasons. Mainly small size and having basic interfaces already built in. That would be cool... So what's the future of flash memory for Apple 8-bits? What can we expect to see? Apple ][ to SATA.... MarkO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+wood_jl Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 The fact that every batch sells out completely means that a costly and time-consuming redesign is not necessary for big sales. Therefore, I'd be surprised to see the investment made into a new design for "newer" media. CF cards are still all over Amazon and Ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 The redesign is coming about because current BOM is getting hard to source. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted September 14, 2017 Author Share Posted September 14, 2017 It is important to remember that a redesign is not a promised thing. Just that sourcing parts is a force that would encourage such situation. At least that's how I read it from the homepage. http://dreher.net/?s=projects/CFforAppleII&c=projects/CFforAppleII/main.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlowingGhoul Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 I doubt there will be a redesign. The maker was very reluctant to make even one more batch of the cards until he hit a very high number of committments, and he's also expressed doubt in ongoing demand for the CFFA3000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 It does appear that Rick it targeting a Run of 1000 Units... Run #3, which is the one that I got my Units from was around 600 Units.... MarkO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newsdee Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 I love my CFFA3000, especially after my floppy drives seem to be kaput. It's not hard to find CF adapters if for any reason you can't find a card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 (edited) I have a CFFA 3000 and a CFFA 2.0.If you don't need floppy emulation, even the 2.0 version is great.I just wish they supported DMA. Edited September 24, 2017 by JamesD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsoft Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 I know CF cards are now mostly replaced by SD cards, but I do like the form factor of CF. Much easier to handle with my big hands than those tiny micro-SD cards! But the future is definitely flash memory for retro computers. I have flash solutions for my IIgs, 800XL, XEGS, ST, and Amiga -- even though I have floppy drives and games on floppy disk. Being able to cheaply and reliably have a HDD and emulate floppies makes it easy. Plus you can easily backup your flash devices in case of CF/SD card failure. That being said, I do love putting original floppies like Arkanoid II in my IIgs, just like putting original carts into the Atari 7800...I don't, maybe it's just nostalgia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGQuarterly Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 I have a Floppy Emu and like it quite a bit. I've never tried a CFFA card just because you can never seem to just buy one, and I am not a fan of waiting lists. Totally understand that the guy is just a one man operation doing this as a hobby, but it would be cool if someone took over production who had the drive and resources to maintain an inventory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share Posted September 24, 2017 If you use something enough, it becomes the new nostalgia. Use flash memory devices long enough, they'll be the preferred method all around from feel and practicality and nostalgia. Disk drives will become like cassettes and type-ins. Though I hear some people like waiting for a tape to load ? ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 I have to admit, when I got my //c (which I sold earlier this year for a nice sum to someone who has become a bit of a buddy in South Korea) I had not touched a apple II since 94 when we got the powerhouse 486, and though it didnt work at first I hit that power switch, heard that beep and the chatter of the floppy drive and I got a little tingle in a special part of my brain. I think that lasted about a week before I was clamoring for something else with having to set up a PC to act as an ADT server, hacking up a radio shack midi cable for connection, scavenging my parents house like a crack fiend for DSDD 5.25 inch disks and setting up a dedicated space for it or go though cable madness just to play a crap port of robotron lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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