Amiga 500 mini (first review)

[DanyPPC]

Originally Posted by Amiga600

Yes the non-working Keyboard is bad, But at least you can plug one in

I noticed only 3 x USB ports, if you connect Mouse, Joypad and USB Flash drive there is no more available USB port for the keyboard.

This could be negative because it forces you to use an external HUB powered in spite of the compactness and space occupied for a console that claims to be mini.

But it's only my opinion. For the rest I think it's ok for a casual gamer.

[alexh]

Originally Posted by DanyPPC

This could be negative because it forces you to use an external powered HUB

There are USB keyboards with "USB Passthrough" meaning they have a non-powered HUB.

[fxgogo]

Originally Posted by Amiga600

Well I can say I am slightly disappointed with TheA500Mini

I would have liked RP9 Support (since I am making those on my Blog) I did try getting RP9 Support Enabled but nothing seems to have been done upto this point: (https://twitter.com/AmigaBoing/statu...84968234962945)

The lack of ADF / IPF support is kinda disappointing as well, even the lack of HDF support too, which would have been a bonus of course

I suppose the above could be enabled with a Software Update

Yes the non-working Keyboard is bad, But at least you can plug one in

The WHDLoad Support is good, But I would have liked to have seen a way to integrate those into the main menu system, perhaps as PNG images and TXT files to store the Game Info then the Mini could read that and put the Games on the Carousel like the rest are, kinda like you can do when you hack the Playstation Classic - all the Games appear in the carousel and it looks much nicer than "a list of files on a USB stick"

I like you last suggestion and I think that could happen with an update. The others though are for us Amiga nerds, this device is not aimed at us. I have a mate at work who is really excited about this, but just wants to play one game and that is it. He is no techie and this is perfect for him.

[AlchemyQuinn]

Originally Posted by desiv

It looks like they did a decent job with this, and I like the mouse/controller...
Yeah, the system looks like it is about 1/4 size, and the mouse looks like it is about 3/4 size. If they sell that mouse separately, that might be tempting. ;-)
I'm not into the mini systems myself, but I hope they do well with this one.

Just in case you've not seen it already, there is a kickstarter for an individually sold wireless amiga mouse. It's not done by the Amiga 500 mini folk, but it still looks rather good


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects..._project_share

[amigang]

Hi guys updated my site with most of these details, let me know if im missing anything.
https://amigang.com/amigamini-thea500/

[Leon Besson]

Originally Posted by Gordon

Any European English reviews yet?

Yep. A U.K review just come up on YT from Dan Wood;

[ Show youtube player ]

[Northgrove]

I got a bit excited with the all-inclusive feel from the YouTube reviews and the attention to detail on the case is amazing. I think the best reproduction yet. But still on the fence on this one. I know that I *will* want to re-live the productivity side as well to at least some extent, and then this being essentially like a Raspberry Pi 3 makes less sense to me than the Raspberry Pi 400 for basically the same price. Have it run Amiberry and you then get a proper "keyboard computer" running on a much higher performing CPU and capable of cycle-exact emulation for pesky demoscene productions etc.

Altogether I think this looks like a great, beautiful little device to get quickly going with classic Amiga games specifically in WHDLoad format -- and if that is all you need it for, and nothing more, then this is absolutely an attractive deal.

[gizmomelb]

Originally Posted by Amiga600

Well I can say I am slightly disappointed with TheA500Mini

The lack of ADF / IPF support is kinda disappointing as well, even the lack of HDF support too, which would have been a bonus of course

I suppose the above could be enabled with a Software Update

I fully expect firmware updates for the A500 MINI to add in ADF and HDF support, since Retrogames have had continued firmware support for 2 yearss for their C64 MINI and MAXI consoles which added new features (REU and tape emulation off top of my head) as well as bug fixes as needed.

Originally Posted by Amiga600

Yes the non-working Keyboard is bad, But at least you can plug one in

Which for a 'games' machine isn't such a big thing imo - the number of people wanting this to be equivalent to a FAST RAM expanded system with HDF/HDD support where they can use it as a dev platform is going to be extremely small. Plugging in a USB keyboard for occasional games isn't a chore and something even a non-techie person can do. Likewise whereas it'd be nice to see an A500 MAXI personally I think having a working keyboard in an A600HD size and format might be more attractive UNLESS retrogames also want to get into the replacement A500 case and keyboard market.

Originally Posted by Amiga600

The WHDLoad Support is good, But I would have liked to have seen a way to integrate those into the main menu system, perhaps as PNG images and TXT files to store the Game Info then the Mini could read that and put the Games on the Carousel like the rest are, kinda like you can do when you hack the Playstation Classic - all the Games appear in the carousel and it looks much nicer than "a list of files on a USB stick"

spannernick hacked the carousel on THEC64 series of consoles and it's the exact same console software used on the A500 MINI and spannernick has said he'll release his hacked carousel (which also allows the pics, music and info for the games to be added) when he gets his hands on his A500 MINI.

For the people saying a pi is better and cheaper? Not here in Australia.. a Pi 4 with case and power supply is near $200 AUD - same price as the A500 MINI and that just looks a heck of a lot better imo.

First bit of computer gear I'm actually excited about in decades.

[DanyPPC]

Does anyone have a chance to try Jim Power ?
It was jerky on the PI3b

[Havie]

Seems to be a good device - mine is on order so will post thoughts when it arrives. Looking forward to pinball dreams on the big telly!

[ransom1122]

8th of April..

I have my usb stick ready with all of retropays whdload content.

Hope it can detect games In alphabetical folders and that it doesn't have a file limit per folder

[gizmomelb]

what version of AmiBerry does it run - anyone know please? thank you.

[AmigaCD32]

So what this A500 is basically what Commodore was doing and making the Amiga into a console.

[Bleugh]

and, don't forget, that Bleugh bloke (me) will be attempting to make a horrendously unuseable miniature working keyboard for people to fit into the thing!.
Figured, heck, why not :-)...

[number6]

@thread

Somewhat related to Amiga and games, the return of Writer's Group Film Corp. heh

no comment

#6

[Binary]

Looks like it came in early cause mine is in the post office on the way to me

Kinda annoying that anyone hasn't looked on the internals yet. I wanna see inside!

[str0m]

Originally Posted by Binary

Looks like it came in early cause mine is in the post office on the way to me

Kinda annoying that anyone hasn't looked on the internals yet. I wanna see inside!

8 mins 40.....


[ Show youtube player ]

[Binary]

Originally Posted by str0m

8 mins 40.....


[ Show youtube player ]

Ohh thanks, missed that one

[ArcadeHeart]

I got mine yesterday (I live in Italy and preordered it earlier this January), tbh I'm liking it, the fact that you can add whdload games on a usb stick is a win. I thought the gamepad was bad, but I like it too, I would for sure buy another one and also a usb splitter.

[stainy]

Originally Posted by gizmomelb

what version of amiberry does it run - anyone know please? Thank you.

3.3 ( I know this because the current Amiberry maintainer said so )