Apollo Team announces the Vampire V4

[Marlon_]

Originally Posted by IanP

Whilst the first two share a common design* (just add/remove DB9, micro USB power, CPU socket connectors and load appropriate core) I believe the A1200 version will be a different design with the 32bit 150 pin bus connector and trapdoor form factor.



*600 version would require a PLCC to DIL socket adaptor board.

Yeah, that's what I grasped from the PDF

[spudje]

So for the standalone version, does it comply with any standard mainboard form factor so it will fit in a standard case (Raspberry Pi, Mini ITX, etc.)???

[emufan]

Originally Posted by spudje

So for the standalone version, does it comply with any standard mainboard form factor so it will fit in a standard case (Raspberry Pi, Mini ITX, etc.)???

maybe not. take a look in the pdf. there are the "pcb dimension for case makers".

[NovaCoder]

Standalone version looks interesting

[Agilent]

Another (poorly) emulated 68xxx board, I really dont get this. And fanboys come out "ohh, this is not emulated, this is real hardware. NO stupid, this is crappy code in FPGA, crap software, crap hardware, just crap all over.
The Emperor's New Clothes.

And sorry, just my 2 cents

[SvladJelly]

The A1200 users get punted to the end of the list again.
:-(
Waiting over a year or more for a Vampire a1200, now I fear I'll have to wait another year.

[Overflow]

@SvladJelly

Why not just go for the standalone version?

Same expirience, just with new hardware.

[Mick]

I'm a bit confused by the press release as well.

It says "one design to fit them all" which I assumed was the technical specification rather than the form factor because it said it came in "three flavours", the A1200 version will need edge connector and there is a lack of screw holes for a standalone version. Yet like emufan says there's the diagram in the PDF showing what I assumed was the A500 form factor for case designers?

[Retrofan]

Originally Posted by SvladJelly

The A1200 users get punted to the end of the list again.
:-(
Waiting over a year or more for a Vampire a1200, now I fear I'll have to wait another year.

Thanks a lot for the news, Apollo Team. I've been waiting from the beginning for the Vampire 1200. I believe you should make it first for us A1200's users, then make the stand alone. There are more A1200's users than any other Amiga.

Just my wishes.

[Predseda]

I AM INTERESTED... oh wait, this is not Amibay?

[SvladJelly]

@overflow. No way!

We don't hang onto the dream of finally a great accelerator for our classic machines, to go standalone, forgoing our beloved case, beloved keyboard, ports, aga chipset and love we've poured into the machines over the years. Really disappointed! Maybe they had problems finding those slot edge connectors after all. :-(

[b0lt-thrower]

3000/4000 series owners get shafted. Sigh.

[b0lt-thrower]

Note: I still think this thing is very very cool. Just wish there were 3000/4000 versions too.

[Overflow]

Well, its on the list over V4 versions.

I was also planning to install a Vampire into my A1200, but unless there is a really compelling reason, like advantages of using V4 in a A1200 vs standalone; Im letting my A1200 stay in its original state, and enjoy the Standalone.

Ofcourse, I do have a V600, so easy for me to say this, but I got a feeling that my V600 will get little attention once the standalone arrives.

But ofcourse, opinions differ

[Magic]

Does the Vampire (any flavor) play well with Zorro II and Zorro III cards?

[grelbfarlk]

Originally Posted by Magic

Does the Vampire (any flavor) play well with Zorro II and Zorro III cards?

It doesn't not work mostly with Zorro-II. Many Zorro-II cards work, some don't. I've tested Merlin, A2065, DKB Rapidfire and a couple others in the A2000. There are no Zorro-III machines that the Vampires are compatible with.

[NovaCoder]

Originally Posted by Overflow

Well, its on the list over V4 versions.

I was also planning to install a Vampire into my A1200, but unless there is a really compelling reason, like advantages of using V4 in a A1200 vs standalone; Im letting my A1200 stay in its original state, and enjoy the Standalone.

No advantage in connecting it to 25 year old hardware (possibly a disadvantage), that's why I've always been more interested in a standalone version...it just makes more sense to me. People need to understand that producing a standalone board was always the Apollo team's ultimate goal.

[Predseda]

It is an eternal fight between logic and feelings, you know.

[Overflow]

Originally Posted by NovaCoder

No advantage in connecting it to 25 year old hardware (possibly a disadvantage), that's why I've always been more interested in a standalone version...it just makes more sense to me. People need to understand that producing a standalone board was always the Apollo team's ultimate goal.

Yes. While I love my V600, a mere bump is enough to reset the system. I guess I dont have a firm/solid install of the Vampire over the A600 CPU. Quite annoying.
Its why I have a standalone Keyboard and mouse attached to it, and put it in a desk drawer so I cant touch it directly.


The standalone is going to be a blessing!

[Retrofan]

Just to say what I feel and I don't want to be rude, but I believe that the real Amiga users have to be attended first. If you want a standalone use WinUAE on your PC (or Raspberry Pi or similars) and you get exactly the same.

As I say, just my feelings.