KITS Still available?

[elchucko]

You probably will not hear back from anyone regarding Altair 8800 kits. Either they are no longer available or the folks who offered to sell "a few left" or planned to make more kits no longer have an interest in doing so. I've found a couple of variations of the Altair 8800. One is someone (do a google on Altair) who offers a version that has the front panel copied just like the original Altair 8800 but interfaced with a PC that emulates the Altair. A new source is an emulated Altair 8800 (called the micro Altair 8800) by Briel computers. As I understand it the micro has a small foot print, the front panel is laid out and switch functions are the same as an Altair 8800, uses a motherboard that is not S100 capable, has PS2, VGA ports, an SD card interface, has its own Basic, etc. There may be a 3rd kit source that is a copy of the original kit (I've heard) but I'm unable to locate the source.

[GeorgeC]

Originally Posted by elchucko

You probably will not hear back from anyone regarding Altair 8800 kits. Either they are no longer available or the folks who offered to sell "a few left" or planned to make more kits no longer have an interest in doing so. I've found a couple of variations of the Altair 8800. One is someone (do a google on Altair) who offers a version that has the front panel copied just like the original Altair 8800 but interfaced with a PC that emulates the Altair. A new source is an emulated Altair 8800 (called the micro Altair 8800) by Briel computers. As I understand it the micro has a small foot print, the front panel is laid out and switch functions are the same as an Altair 8800, uses a motherboard that is not S100 capable, has PS2, VGA ports, an SD card interface, has its own Basic, etc. There may be a 3rd kit source that is a copy of the original kit (I've heard) but I'm unable to locate the source.

Thanks for the quick and useful reply

For the second source, by emulator do you mean it needs to connect to a PC to work, or can you use it standalone as the original, and the VGA ports and such are just optional extras if you wish to have a display or any addon cards?

I'm looking at the briel website now and the apple i looks like a very tempting kit to try out

[elchucko]

The Micro Altair 8800 looks to be a standalone machine, no PC or other support hardware needed. Both the VGA an PS/2 ports are standard as is the SD card slot. I understand the SD slot is used for firmware upgrades(?) and data storage? There is a YouTube demo that shows the terminal and keyboard hooked to the micro Altair 8800. I believe the unit comes with 24k of memory...not sure of that or if it is upgradeable. I guess the bottom line on the computer is it functions and "feels" just like a Altair 8800 (operator/user) but the hardware is totally different. I also understand the same source may develop a standard sized unit but not sure if it uses the same "guts" as the micro and if it will have an S100 bus. Oh, did I mention the Micro Altair 8800 is a kit? I'm thinking about purchasing one but will wait until I get more info.

[GeorgeC]

I see, thanks for the heads up.
I might get that Apple I kit first as I haven't touched any electronics in a long time and the apple kit looks a bit simpler to get into the swing of things

What's your history in these kit forms/electronics?

[elchucko]

I've never built any of his kits. It's been a long time since I've built any type of kit

[marty]

Hi All;
I have two Machines, that are not kits for sale, that are put together, I have been waiting till I could get some pictures of them... I also have not decided what to include with the machines, If anyone is interested... Grant is selling His Kits for about $1499.00. I have a 4K Memory Board and a 2-SIO Board for one machine and an 8K Memory Board for one machine. The other Machine is only Partially complete and have to finish putting it together..
THANK YOU Marty

[Lostngone]

Any word on availability of the kit?