A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:
Proof of Concept
Explorations that test ideas and functionality.
Functional Prototype
Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.
Appearance Prototype
Looks like the final product, but is not functional.
Design Prototype
Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.
Production Prototype
Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.
Prototype Gallery
These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.
IMPORTANT - A pledge to you my backers on shipping and no pre orders message
Important: if you want to get on the first batch you need to pledge for this Kickstarter. There will be more batches but I will need a breather of a month from the first batch. Thanks for all of you support again, lets hopefully celebrate later. My email is steve at imica dot net. Also we may mark these as Kickstarter backed versions as well.
Checkmate A1500 Plus from iMica Ltd
Imagine a brand new, Amiga inspired desktop computer case sitting on your desk today, that's what we want to bring to you. Backing this campaign will enable us to make high quality matching Black and Oyster White front panels instead of the plain white 3D printed versions at the moment. More details at http://www.checkmate1500plus.com/
Amiga Version
VR Ready PC version
Here is a couple of renders from Paul Kitching to show what the case will look like.
Oyster white render to show final look
Nice black view of Checkmate A1500 plus
Amiga Version
The new case is designed as an homage to the beauty and power of the Amiga 3000 and has the optional keyboard garage like the original Amiga 1000. The modular design is capable of building a highly powerful, True Amiga, based on the A500, A600 and A1200 motherboards with all of the extras that are available for these amazing computer motherboards like the Vampire accelerator/24bit graphics upgrade. http://www.apollo-accelerators.com
This video shows inside the case with components mounted with version two prototype testing.
In this video I discuss the version 2 prototype and the Vampire benefits.
This video really explains why the Vampire is so important if you are an Amiga fan and want to build an insanely powerful real Amiga.
Mini-ITX/Micro-ATX based system
Or you can build a superb and whisper quiet Virtual Reality machine using Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX motherboards along with GPU's from NVidia and AMD coupled with a water cooled Intel or AMD CPU.
Here I go into depth on the case for PC and also Raspberry Pi options
Here I discuss the V2 prototype and the performance that enable a powerful Virtual Reality system.
Testing temperatures in PC version
This video runs through stressing the computer in the case and showing the temperature changes and how I set up the system. Important to note the ambient temperatures was very high so it is the difference between ambient and under load that is important and this explains how well the internal cooling works. However, as I always stress this is not an over clockers case and we recommend you use the water cooling option for the CPU to get the best user experience, if not then a low profile fan option.
GPU Selection
We have worked hard to ensure that this design gives you the best experience. However, this is not a case for heavy overclocking, if that is what you are after please buy a tower, unless you fully understand how to get the best setup to enable over clocking in a small form factor case. To get the best from this system you must select a blower style GPU from either NVidia or AMD. The case is designed to take air from the front of the case into the fan and then exhaust at the rear of the case. Any residual heat in the case is removed by the rear panel trio of quiet fans, but cannot cope with heat from incompatible type. Also note the lower list may not fit either.
GPU Choice warning, Blower type only
Sound levels
This image shows the very low, almost silent nature of this system with a GTX1080 GPU and water cooled i3 Quad core CPU at idle and under load. Please note the water cooling unit is rated up to extreme i7 if your budget is sufficient.
Noise testing
Amiga Forever, AmiKit and Workbench
All systems can be supplied with the latest Amiga Workbench, and if running the PC version with Linux or Windows then this can be run front and centre disguising the host operating system until you need it giving you the best of both worlds through an amazingly stylish Amiga emulation layer.
Case Types - Checkmate A1500 Plus
Because of the modular design the main difference is the rear panel but there are also subtle differences in the fixing pack hence two clear choices. Both are available in black and white and options can be added before shipping.
Please note, by purchasing this case you are aware that it is a self assembly system and whilst we will provide plenty of tutorials on the subject, you must be capable of assembling computers. If not, we will be happy to discuss supplying ready built systems at extra cost.
Amiga
Basic case for Amiga A500, A1200 and A600, only difference is the rear I/O panel. After the campaign success you will be asked to confirm which rear panel you want regardless of version. You will be able to purchase extra rear panels. You may be able to change colour unless packaged and ready to ship. However, if going from black to white, it will depend on stock as white is expected to be a limited run, but we will see.
The physical dimensions of the case are Width 431mm x Height 104mm x Depth 385mm. Note the keyboard riser adds 40mm to the height. A screw pack will be included with all fixings.
Important, please note that the injection moulded plastic parts will be UV resistant materials and as such will not yellow with age !!
Amiga 500, 1200 and A600 basic case, only difference is rear panel
Powering the Amiga motherboards
IMPORTANT!! This is a 3D Sketchup design just to show roughly how the two little boards work. The 4 way connector is not the one being used, it is just to try and make it clear they connect. The internal SFX board will have a normal ATX power connector that is the big one on the main board.
Amiga basic internal SFX PSU connection system.
PC Version
Basic Version with Micro ATX / Mini ITX Horizontal slots, again you will be asked which version back panel you want. A screw pack will be included with all fixings.
PC version basic case, this version shows horizontal card bays.
Optional extra modular rear panels
When ordering you will get one of these, however extras can be ordered for £25 each.
All four rear panel options
Drive bay panel cover options
These are the standard available options when the campaign completes, the second picture gives an example of another version planned for a stretch goal. Each pack will come with with two specific panels but extras can be ordered at £5 each. These will match the colour of the case you have ordered. Please note that others may appear over time and the designs are available to allow modification and 3D printing of you own panel covers and support.
Standard drive panel options
If the stretch goal option is met then these panels that suit the LG GS40N Slot load internal drive will have an injection mould made to enable purchase for £5 each. If not then they will be available on our Shapeways page for around £35 as a 3D print or download design and print yourself.
DVD slot loading panel
Drive panels with example devices. From top left, clockwise, Slot DVD/CD drive (stretch goal only), 3.5" device, Amiga Floppy, Blank
Amiga 500 version only
If you intend fitting an A500/A500+ motherboard then you can fit the optional expansion board that enable easy internal fitting of cards designed to plug into the external 86 pin connector and the top slot hold Zorro 2/3 cards. Note Zorro 3 cards will run at Zorro 2 speed as if fit into an A2000. The Internal PSU plugs into the ATX power socket on the board to enable powering the complete system. This cards will be available as an optional extra when you finally configure your reserved basic case.
A500 internal expansion optional board
Optional keyboard risers to make a garage
These risers match the colour of the case and are priced at £15 per pair.
Amiga 1000 garage inspired Keyboard risers
Optional A500 and A1200 keyboard case
Please note this is still being designed and is subject to a number of changes but this is the original design.
Prototype keyboard case to fit your A500 or A1200 keyboard into and then use with the Checkmate A1500 Plus case externally
Colours of Case
The Oyster white actual colour was chosen by public poll.
Colour options
All cases are in two colour option and both are powder coated. Silk black and by popular vote Oyster white RAL 1013.
The Team
This is not just about me, others are supporting me and offering me great advice, however, these are the people most involved in this project to bring you the best Amiga case.
The team putting this project together
Shipping
Due to the unknown final weight and extras that may be added later we cannot include the shipping costs with the campaign. However, at the end of the campaign and on our support site you will be able to view the shipping estimator to get a closer estimate of the final shipping cost at https://www.amigasystems.com, if you register an account and add your address details. This will be payable before we can ship your order, however the case will be stored safely until that time.
Please use this chart as a rough guide to the shipping costs from the UK, if your country is not on the list then use the site name at the bottom of image. Note the actual price may be slightly higher or lower, but once campaign is over we can negotiate with shippers to hopefully get better prices than these one off estimates.
I have replaced the old one, and this has lower costs for some countries including USA, Canada and Australia but take a little longer to arrive.
Whilst the designs are complete, the metal work and electronics are ready and tested we need your help. The white 3D printed prototype parts you can see need high quality injection moulding in the colours we plan to use which are black and Oyster white to match the metal work that is ready.
These moulding tools are too expensive for us to bring to the market alone and we need your help and support.
We hope you will help us bring this dream to life by backing this Project and bring back the memories of when computers were fun and user friendly. We hope you will join this growing community that is supporting the Amiga and let us remind the world about Jay Miner, and all those who worked on, and still love the Amiga from the past and into the future.
Thank you.
Steve Jones
Timeline
Stretch Goal
If we reach £90,000 then we will be able to make a mould for the DVD slot loading drive so you can add for £5 to order instead of the £30 print cost for a 3D print version.
£90,000 Stretch Goal
Development History Playlist
This shows my video blogs throughout this journey from around October.
A Little History
The Amiga 1000
In 1985 the results of a hugely creative team headed up by legendary computer chip designer Jay Miner, launched a computer to a world that was not ready for the insane computing power that was available in the Amiga. Amiga had the awesome Motorola 68000 with three high performance custom chips that gave up to 4096 on screen colours and full screen animation. Add to this an incredible multi channel 8 bit sampled audio system, all controlled by a powerful, Unix inspired, True, multi tasking operating system called Workbench. The Amiga was truly, the first real Multi Media computer and was years ahead of PC's and Macintosh.
Amiga 1000 and the ground breaking support chip set
This is a video I created to show just how amazing the original Amiga (1000) is and can be made to perform like a new machine with the vampire or other accelerators.
Jay Miner: Father of the Amiga 1932–1994
A revealing video about what people think about Jay Miner and a talk he gave about the Amiga's development. Note, he also developed the chip set in the Atari VCS 2600 which sold millions of units. He was lead designer and chip designer for the Atari 400 and 800 computers which to be honest are still better than the Commodore 64 that came out 3 years later. He also developed one of the first heart pace makers that could be controlled from outside of the body.
Amiga 3000
Over the following years the Amiga evolved into a range of high powered personal graphics and audio computer systems but the next major upgrade was the Amiga 3000 launched in April 1990. This took the Amiga to Work Station performance and was considered by many to also be the best looking Amiga, even to this day.
A3000 the first Amiga Workstation
Amiga 3000 first commercial VR system
The following year the Amiga 3000 went on to power the first commercial Virtual Reality arcade system called Virtuality. Using custom 3D display hardware, much like today's GPU chips the A3000 was the only viable computer, at that time, to process the huge amount of data required for this very early, commercial virtual reality system.
First commercial Virtual Reality arcade system powered by A3000
This is Ravi from the Retro Hour podcast trying out the Virtuality system from 1991/3 which was powered by the amazing Amiga 3000 which this case is designed as an homage too.
The original Checkmate A1500
Manufactured by my company Checkmate Digital in late 80's.
Original Checkmate A1500 release in 1989 and confused with Commodore A1500 that appeared the next year
A great video explaining my history with the original Checkmate A1500 and my run in with Commodore.
A great Q&A session going into more details after the Checkmate A1500 video from Neil aka RetroManCave.
As you can see we have completely built both the Amiga 500 and Micro-ATX/Mini-ITX versions and the electronics and full thermal and noise testing have proved out the designs during the two prototype phases so far and you can see them working with the white prototype plastics in these videos.
We have costed in experience gained by members of the team involved and others in our community who have run Kickstarter campaigns and been very helpful with advice. We are using experts in the field to assist us in finalising this product from lessons learned during the prototype stage. The only challenge left is the moulding process and we have chosen the best company from a selection to help us finish this vital part. We believe we have allowed plenty of time for any errors that delay the project as is usual in these complex projects, but if we feel we are running behind we will keep you, our backers fully up to date.
This is the Oyster white Amiga basic case as described in main description.
Shipping cost payable later due to size and destinations.
Choose configuration after completion of campaign.
This is the black Amiga basic case as described in main description.
Shipping cost payable later due to size and destinations.
Choose configuration after completion of campaign.
This is the oyster white PC basic case as described in main description.
Shipping cost payable later due to size and destinations.
Choose configuration after completion of campaign.
This is the black PC basic case as described in main description.
Shipping cost payable later due to size and destinations.
Choose configuration after completion of campaign.
Order two cases to reserve them, once campaign is complete you will be able to configure your order according to what colour and machine type you are building.
Order three cases to reserve them, once campaign is complete you will be able to configure your order according to what colour and machine type you are building.
Order five cases to reserve them, once campaign is complete you will be able to configure your order according to what colour and machine type you are building.
Order ten cases to reserve them, once campaign is complete you will be able to configure your order according to what colour and machine type you are building.
