New Adam computer with Blu-ray drive and 1080P graphics card would be neat

[HDTV1080P]

The following article talks about a modern day 2011 Commodore 64 computer that uses an Intel chip with modern graphics card. The new Commodore 64 computer will play Blu-ray's with 1080P resolution when a optional BD-ROM drive is connected.

 

It runs under Windows or Linux. What makes this computer a so called Commodore 64 is an emulation software and the cosmetics looks like a real Commodore 64. One can just install a commodore 64 emulation program on their current desktop or Notebook computer. The only real advantage to this product is the classic Commodore 64 look and feel.

 

http://www.twice.com/article/466478-...ck_On_Sale.php

 

The Coleco Adam computer came out in 1983 and was more powerful with 80K of memory and faster processor. It would be neat to see someone make a remake of the Adam computer that played all the classic Colecovision games and Adam Super Games. Back in 1983 the Adam computer was my first computer, it brings back good memories. The same thing could be done with the Adam computer. Just make a desktop PC that cosmetically looks like a Adam computer and then run a Adam emulation program under Windows.

Edited April 8, 2011 by HDTV1080P

[Yurkie]

Seems pretty lame to have a modern computer (especially with crappy netbookish specifications) in a C64 looking case running an emulator.

[NIAD]

Yeah... pretty lame if you ask me, but I'm sure there's a lot of hardcore C=64 fans out there that will go for it if they have the extra money to blow. Me, I'd rather just load up an C=64 emulator on my PC Destop or Laptop to relive my C=64 past and save myself the money (and space) to spend on new CV Homebrews... plus this way I'll be investing in the future of the CV as well as the ADAM.

 

Another big drawback to this "new" C=64 is that you are still tied to the computer due to the fact that it's still an all-in-one unit with the keyboard. I always hated this about the C=64 and a lot of other computers of this era and always loved the fact the you could stretch out a little with the ADAM and have the keyboard on your lap, especially if you picked up a 6' ADAMnet cord.

 

Some things are just better off left as is and people should learn to appreciate all the little idiosyncracies and flaws that made these old systems what they were... it called having personality!

[NIAD]

BTW, you know what would be nice to see... an ADAM Computer with a built-in power transformer and a built-in 5 1/4" Disk Drive. All based off the original technology. I have seen numerous customized units over the years (and have some pics if anyone is interested) like this but could never bring myself to hack up a system myself.

[S1500]

The same thing could be done with the Adam computer. Just make a desktop PC that cosmetically looks like a Adam computer and then run a Adam emulation program under Windows.

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You are really into that 1080P thing aren't you? You must wear an HDMI belt on your pants!

 

With what you just said, I'll just re-say what I said in the other thread:

take a modern computer and piece of tape,

write "ADAM" on the piece of tape,

stick piece of tape on computer

 

Wallah! Some AtariAgers with these threads, I wonder what they are smoking, and can I have some.

[NIAD]

The Coleco Adam computer came out in 1983 and was more powerful with 80K of memory and faster processor. It would be neat to see someone make a remake of the Adam computer that played all the classic Colecovision games and Adam Super Games. Back in 1983 the Adam computer was my first computer, it brings back good memories. The same thing could be done with the Adam computer. Just make a desktop PC that cosmetically looks like a Adam computer and then run a Adam emulation program under Windows.

It still amazes me that after all these years that people still fall for Coleco's marketing ploy of saying the ADAM was an 80K computer. The ADAM had 64K addressable memory and the remaining 16K was dedicated video memory from the ColecoVision PCB.

 

Also, numerous people did take it upon themselves to make a custom ADAM using PC Desktop cases. One such unit that comes to mind was made by Thomas Mackie and included an ADAM Hard Drive, 2 disk drives, modem, etc. in I think a Tandy tower case and even had a hacked Tandy? 101-key keyboard. This unit sold on eBay last summer.

 

BTW, just install ADAMem, Virtual ADAM or MESS on your PC and place a picture of an ADAM on your desk.

[ed1475]

BTW, you know what would be nice to see... an ADAM Computer with a built-in power transformer and a built-in 5 1/4" Disk Drive. All based off the original technology. I have seen numerous customized units over the years (and have some pics if anyone is interested) like this but could never bring myself to hack up a system myself.

 

Ebay had one of those for sale last year. A users group had put the ADAM components into a late 1990's tower case. It had extra ram, 5.25" disk drives, modem and even 2 hard disk drives. I thought about bidding on it but the starting price was a little high, plus, I like the original look of the ADAM better.

[SlowCoder]

If you think it's cool then go for it. I'm on Yurkie and NIAD's side of the fence on this one though. It looks like a gimmick that will only survive a short time. Those $595 computers will be on ebay for less than $100 in a couple of years. And I bet they aren't nearly as stout as the originals either.

 

One bonus though ... they run Linux.

[NIAD]

BTW, you know what would be nice to see... an ADAM Computer with a built-in power transformer and a built-in 5 1/4" Disk Drive. All based off the original technology. I have seen numerous customized units over the years (and have some pics if anyone is interested) like this but could never bring myself to hack up a system myself.

 

Ebay had one of those for sale last year. A users group had put the ADAM components into a late 1990's tower case. It had extra ram, 5.25" disk drives, modem and even 2 hard disk drives. I thought about bidding on it but the starting price was a little high, plus, I like the original look of the ADAM better.

That's the one. The ADAMcon Group (adamcomputer on here) was given it by Thomas Mackie a number of years ago. Here are some pics that I was gratitiously provided.

[NIAD]

BTW, there is a new ADAM Computer... or should I say Tablet.

[HDTV1080P]

If you think it's cool then go for it. I'm on Yurkie and NIAD's side of the fence on this one though. It looks like a gimmick that will only survive a short time. Those $595 computers will be on ebay for less than $100 in a couple of years. And I bet they aren't nearly as stout as the originals either.

 

One bonus though ... they run Linux.

 

I am not interested in the Commodore because I never owned one. I used the Adam up until around 1993 or 1994. After that I went with IBM compatible computers with Windows. I see that a fully loaded Commodore Vic Pro cost $1,195. The fully loaded Commodore 64 with built in Blu-ray drive costs $895 http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64Select.aspx . As I mentioned before an emulator program is an option for any existing desktop or Notebook computer, it also is a lot cheaper. The main thing people are paying for is to have the classic cosmetic Commodore 64 look and feel.

 

If one designed a new Adam computer or a PC with an Adam computer emulation program that also had a Colecovision cartridge slot it would be a popular item. If one could plug a real Colecovision cartridge into a so called new Adam computer it would be an attractive product. The Adam would have a HDMI output.

 

There would be nothing wrong with using a modern day Intel chip and PC hardware for a new Adam computer as long as it had the look and feel of a real Adam. One could write a Linux based Adam operating system emulator that booted up from a chip instantly. If the emulation was good one could not tell the difference from the original Adam and the emulation running under Linux. Turn on the computer and Adam smartwriter would appear instantly, press the Colecovision reset button next to the cartridge port and the Colecovision logo would appear. Instead of having two Digital Data drives in the computer, the Adam would have two built in 1.44MB floppy drives in the front that would read and write existing 720K and 1.44MB Adam disks. The side expansion module interface might not be realistic for cost reasons and instead a BD-ROM Blu-ray drive would be an option with a built in hard drive. USB ports used for things like an external 3TB hard drive would be another option under the emulation program. Real Coleco controllers could be plugged in, or a optional game controller that used USB ports.

 

Then when one needed to use the PC that looked like a Adam for Internet and normal PC work, they could flip a switch and their so called Adam clone would run Windows from a bootable hard drive.

 

 

Edited April 9, 2011 by HDTV1080P

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

 

There would be nothing wrong with using a modern day Intel chip and PC hardware for a new Adam computer as long as it had the look and feel of a real Adam. One could write a Linux based Adam operating system emulator that booted up from a chip instantly. If the emulation was good one could not tell the difference from the original Adam and the emulation running under Linux. Turn on the computer and Adam smartwriter would appear instantly, press the Colecovision reset button next to the cartridge port and the Colecovision logo would appear. Instead of having two Digital Data drives in the computer, the Adam would have two built in 1.44MB floppy drives in the front that would read and write existing 720K and 1.44MB Adam disks. The side expansion module interface might not be realistic for cost reasons and instead a BD-ROM Blu-ray drive would be an option with a built in hard drive. USB ports used for things like an external 3TB hard drive would be another option under the emulation program. Real Coleco controllers could be plugged in, or a optional game controller that used USB ports.

Then when one needed to use the PC that looked like a Adam for Internet and normal PC work, they could flip a switch and their so called Adam clone would run Windows from a bootable hard drive.

 

 

That is a nice dream indeed. If only.

[NIAD]

I am not interested in the Commodore because I never owned one. I used the Adam up until around 1993 or 1994. After that I went with IBM compatible computers with Windows. I see that a fully loaded Commodore Vic Pro cost $1,195. The fully loaded Commodore 64 with built in Blu-ray drive costs $895 http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64Select.aspx . As I mentioned before an emulator program is an option for any existing desktop or Notebook computer, it also is a lot cheaper. The main thing people are paying for is to have the classic cosmetic Commodore 64 look and feel.

 

If one designed a new Adam computer or a PC with an Adam computer emulation program that also had a Colecovision cartridge slot it would be a popular item. If one could plug a real Colecovision cartridge into a so called new Adam computer it would be an attractive product. The Adam would have a HDMI output.

 

There would be nothing wrong with using a modern day Intel chip and PC hardware for a new Adam computer as long as it had the look and feel of a real Adam. One could write a Linux based Adam operating system emulator that booted up from a chip instantly. If the emulation was good one could not tell the difference from the original Adam and the emulation running under Linux. Turn on the computer and Adam smartwriter would appear instantly, press the Colecovision reset button next to the cartridge port and the Colecovision logo would appear. Instead of having two Digital Data drives in the computer, the Adam would have two built in 1.44MB floppy drives in the front that would read and write existing 720K and 1.44MB Adam disks. The side expansion module interface might not be realistic for cost reasons and instead a BD-ROM Blu-ray drive would be an option with a built in hard drive. USB ports used for things like an external 3TB hard drive would be another option under the emulation program. Real Coleco controllers could be plugged in, or a optional game controller that used USB ports.

 

Then when one needed to use the PC that looked like a Adam for Internet and normal PC work, they could flip a switch and their so called Adam clone would run Windows from a bootable hard drive.

 

 

Why are you always shouting (using the large size font). Proper etiquette that should have been learned in the days of BBSing still ring true today.

 

As far as your dream of a modern system housed in an ADAM fascade... think it'd be a big expense to incure when you can pick-up an ADAM Computer for cheap on eBAY. Sometimes you can even find them for under a hundred dollars and while disk drives aren't as plentiful, they have been consistently showing up on eBAY as well as the AA MarketPlace for very fair prices considering how many people want one.

 

What really needs to be developed, or should I say finally manufactured and released for purchase, is an ADAMnet SD Drive. This one product would elimintae all worries that ADAM owners have about eventually not be able to find working replacement Data or Disk Drives if their drive malfunction. Hopefully "Else" will eventually come back to this forum again with some info on his SD drive.

[SlowCoder]

Has anyone heard from Else recently?