In 1993, Apple got seriously creative with branding, releasing the exact same machine under three different names! We’re diving into the legendary “pizza box”, the Macintosh LC 475 / Quadra 605. Was this machine a true “Low Cost” LC, or did it live up to the powerful “Quadra” badge? It’s a fascinating look at a time when Apple was fighting hard against the PC dominance.
Author: Retronaut
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MARCHintosh: Exploring Two 2006 Mac Pro’s
Ready to dive into the world of high-end retro Macintosh workstations? Join me as I explore the iconic Quadra/Power/Pro line’s, featuring the legendary 2006 Mac Pro – a model that has a cult following. So, why do I have TWO of these bad boys? Let me tell you…
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Badly battery damaged Amiga 3000: Can it be repaired?
I received an Amiga 3000, what many consider the pinnacle of the legendary Amiga range of computers. It has pretty bad battery damage. But just how bad is it?Just how much work will be required to get this machine back on its little rubber pads.
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Retro Magazines Ep:03 – Computer & Video Games – February 1982
The frenzy of Christmas 1981 has passed, but there is still plenty going on in the budding UK micro computing scene. This month sees the debut of arcade classics such as Scramble and Galaga. A reader gets inside an Atari BattleZone machine, and gives us the low-down on its cutting edge hardware. And of course… Basic listing are a major draw and readers would spend hours, even days typing in “the next blockbuster game” into their shiny new micros.
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Repairing my sadly ailing Commodore 1541 Disk Drive
I got this Commodore 1541 disk drive at ZZap! Live 2024, but it’s got a common failure: it spins constantly when powered on! That’s a sure sign the logic board is borked. Join me on the workbench as I dive into this vintage hardware! Using my oscilloscope to diagnose chips, tracing signals, and hunting down the exact component failure. Will I save this drive? Find out in Chapter 3 of my epic quest to finally play Wasteland on my C64/128!
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C64 Longevity: Switch & Heatsink Install (A Must-Do Upgrade!)
My mission continues! To get closer to playing Wasteland on my beloved Commodore 64, it’s time for some serious upgrades! In this chapter, I’m installing a new power switch and strategically placing heatsinks to boost the C64’s longevity and reliability. It’s essential maintenance for my vintage 80s treasure! But the retro gods had other plans… a small, unexpected lightning bolt struck! What went wrong? Watch on to find out what interrupted my upgrade!
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Testing & Renovating & my Atari ST Mega 4
In this chapter we start the renovation of my new Atari ST Mega 4 by breaking it down and washing its case and floppy drive fascia. Then we move on to testing its power supply and then the moment of truth… Will it boot and will the new monitors I bought specifically for it, actually work with its unusual 15khz colour VGA signal?
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Unboxing my new Atari ST Mega4
In this video I unbox my new Atari Mega ST 4 and then take a quick peek inside to see if all is good with my new hardware. The Atari ST is a new machine to my collection, indeed it is my FIRST ST ever! Watch on to see if the Mega 4 survived shipping from Germany and to see what state it is in externally and internally.
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Commodore 64 & 128 Ch01: The Harsh Realities of Retro
Today was going to be relaxing dive into the game which went on to spawn the Fallout series. I had Wasteland racked up and ready to play on my Commodore 128D and then something happened. But no fear, its stunt double the C64 was at hand to save the day, or…. was it.. Watch and to find out about the harsher side of retro computing, its not all chip-tunes and pixel popping fun.
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Retronaut Log Cabin Build – CH02: The Construction
It’s now September 15th 2023 and I eagerly await the delivery of my new log cabin. Join me and follow its construction, including its main build, fitting its insulation boards, preserving its timber, painting it to preserve it from the weather and its roof build.