Interesting! I genuinely couldn't predict which way that email was going to go. I sense their company is a tentative dipping-of-the-toe into the world of making products. Let's wish them good luck and fortune with that. It did feel like their product was promising to be so much more. Let us hope they push-the-boat-out next time. Ps. do you like my watery metaphors better than their smiley emojis? Perhaps not. Just too old-fashioned to be retro!
I'm emoji'd out after the Vilros email and my video, so enjoyed the watery metaphors! 😂 I know it must be tough for Vilros right now given the lack of stock of Raspberry Pi boards. I'm in dire need of a Pi Zero W 2 and they've been out of stock since before the pandemic. Looks like you can grab a 2017 Pi Zero W now, but I need the upgraded model for a project. Thanks for the comment and I've pinned it.
Great video. Love hearing good news stories from companies when they do they do the right thing. The product looks really close to what I am looking for, especially with your C64 emulator on that screen. Well done. Looking forward to their version 2.
Thanks for watching and the comment. I too am interested to see what they cook up for version 2. My only wish before this happens is that someone ports BMC to the Pi 400. Looks like Combian may have been abandoned.
Sorry, but I'm not seeing this as anything other than a generic marketing ploy from them. They don't really address any of your criticism of the product other than saying they'll keep it in mind should they do a new version. Maybe im too cynical but it just looks like theyve done a search to see their name on RUclips, seen your video and are offering a discount to have you say positive things about them. I can instantly think of a couple of things they could have done on the current version to address some of your points, such as using 90 degree connectors to stop the cables hanging out the back.
Could be. But again, my channel is so small, they could have ignored me without consequence. And I'll still applaud the additional follow up and other emails. But I totally agree with you. There were some easy fixes here they could have implemented. Thanks for watching and the comment. Appreciate the feedback. Time will tell.
I'm still enjoying it. Break it out every once in awhile to run PiMiga 3 and love it. Time to upgrade to PiMiga 4 at some point. But I'm in no hurry since there's still much more to explore in version 3 than I have time for.
Now, if the product was available on Amazon and I placed an affiliate link in the video description, then I would get a small commission on the sale, but since it is not available on Amazon, you won't find that link. You can enjoy the 15% knowing I don't get a kick back.
@@Brian-vs9sd You are welcome. I try to be upfront, as my members and livestream regulars would hopefully tell you. Integrity is something I strive for in my RUclips hobby and the "paying gig."
ok First off small confession to make. I was not really paying all that much attention to the creator name only saw Reto, and well thought it was a RetoBytes video. When I seen I had made a mistake almost hit the back key and leave. However I did stay and watch the full video. I am not into building or buying reto builds. (although my buddy would disagree, because I have 3 pc's I built from 2012-2016, he thinks that they are trash and should get rid of them and just use the 2 newer pc's 2020 and 2022. but I built the other ones and still love them and use them daily But I digress ). Now where was I? Oh ya. So I more like the history of pc's and the evolution of pc's. But I do find your particular type of content interesting and will now watch a cpl more videos of yours. As for this video I think it is great they reached out to you, and even offered a discount for your viewers. I like your commentary and delivery, Hence why I will watch a cpl more videos today. Not sure if I will sub or not I let ya know if I do but you will get a like for all the videos. So good job keep plugging away and have a great day and thanks for the video.
Well, I'm so happy to be a mistake! Loved your comment and appreciate you giving my channel a shot. I'm an 8-bit (and old) guy, so I wouldn't classify 2012 computers retro but they will be one day! Again, thanks for giving the channel a try and hope you subscribe. 😄
PCs from 2012 to 2016 aren't retro yet... just outdated. 😁 Putting together PCs of that era and newer is so incredibly easy. No jumpers to set on the main board, a modern BIOS/UEFI does all the work for you. And any modern OS will autodetect hardware, sort out drivers and let you know of any problems... all without any fuss and crashing the system. A far cry from the (IBM compatible) PCs of '80s and '90s. The plethora of 8 bit home computers and the later 16/32 bit machines were far more interesting until Id Software released original Doom. 😁
@@another3997 Oh I know what your are saying. I built my own pc's back in the 90's. Well I remember messing with aoutexe.bat, config.sys files and trying to get the bios and jumpers set right. Now I am 60 and well modern just works for me now. I may one day buy and old 286,386 or 486 again just for the fun of it, and well playing Falcon4.0 again, mechwarrior. but that would be a someday thing. Lol I just remembered when plug and play came out, confused the hell out of me, It was not really plug and play. More like plug and hope sometimes.
Hmmm, I have to say it is a good concept but badly let down by design flaws that they should have realised before release. Even though they are a small company are we really saying nobody thought to have smaller angled cables and maybe a flap to close up the back or a more secure method of holding the Pi400 so it wasn't wobbly? Even a small battery pack should have been available. There are lots of portable screens now with USB C, some with battery packs to power the devices and some to be powered by the devices and they are all pretty cheap. I'm really not sure that this product has any place in the market in its current state... even with a paltry 15% off.
@@Throckmorton.ScribblemongerWe get it, you don't like the product and you're determined to make sure as many people as possible know it. But as much as I agree with his original review, the product has it's use cases, and some people may find the discount enough to tip the balance. Whatever you think, designing and producing custom cases like this, on a small scale, is always going to be relatively expensive. Buying the parts, assembly, having packaging produced and all the other minutiae, simply do not come cheap. Economies of scale exist. Hopefully the product will be improved over time.
@@Throckmorton.Scribblemonger100% agree. That email would completely put me off trying any of their products without it having a glowing review from somebody like retroCombs.
I love the way people put condescending monikers on people, assigning them to some arbitrary group, having never met them or had contact with them before. Of course, others might have some condescending moniker for you and those like you. I do think the excessive use of emojis is rather OTT in any conversation, but I have friends who like to use them like that. It's a personal thing. But seriously , who doesn't like watching cat videos? Or videos of rescued Beaver kitts (shout out to Holley Muraco for her great YT videos)? 🤔🙄😁😺👍. Sorry, couldn't resist. 😉
Interesting! I genuinely couldn't predict which way that email was going to go. I sense their company is a tentative dipping-of-the-toe into the world of making products. Let's wish them good luck and fortune with that. It did feel like their product was promising to be so much more. Let us hope they push-the-boat-out next time. Ps. do you like my watery metaphors better than their smiley emojis? Perhaps not. Just too old-fashioned to be retro!
I'm emoji'd out after the Vilros email and my video, so enjoyed the watery metaphors! 😂 I know it must be tough for Vilros right now given the lack of stock of Raspberry Pi boards. I'm in dire need of a Pi Zero W 2 and they've been out of stock since before the pandemic. Looks like you can grab a 2017 Pi Zero W now, but I need the upgraded model for a project. Thanks for the comment and I've pinned it.
Great video. Love hearing good news stories from companies when they do they do the right thing. The product looks really close to what I am looking for, especially with your C64 emulator on that screen. Well done. Looking forward to their version 2.
Thanks for watching and the comment. I too am interested to see what they cook up for version 2. My only wish before this happens is that someone ports BMC to the Pi 400. Looks like Combian may have been abandoned.
This video put a happy smile on my face. Really. BTW, happy 4th of July!
Thanks so much. Grilled some hot dogs earlier today. Definitely a good Independence Day and thanks for the email greeting as well!
That's the way forward to handle feedback. Awesome.
Agreed. As you saw, I got a kick out of their response.
Sorry, but I'm not seeing this as anything other than a generic marketing ploy from them. They don't really address any of your criticism of the product other than saying they'll keep it in mind should they do a new version.
Maybe im too cynical but it just looks like theyve done a search to see their name on RUclips, seen your video and are offering a discount to have you say positive things about them.
I can instantly think of a couple of things they could have done on the current version to address some of your points, such as using 90 degree connectors to stop the cables hanging out the back.
Could be. But again, my channel is so small, they could have ignored me without consequence. And I'll still applaud the additional follow up and other emails. But I totally agree with you. There were some easy fixes here they could have implemented. Thanks for watching and the comment. Appreciate the feedback. Time will tell.
How's that Pi 400 project coming along?
I'm still enjoying it. Break it out every once in awhile to run PiMiga 3 and love it. Time to upgrade to PiMiga 4 at some point. But I'm in no hurry since there's still much more to explore in version 3 than I have time for.
15% off for the viewers. Just wondering what you get out of the deal?
Nada. I don't get anything.
Now, if the product was available on Amazon and I placed an affiliate link in the video description, then I would get a small commission on the sale, but since it is not available on Amazon, you won't find that link. You can enjoy the 15% knowing I don't get a kick back.
@@retroCombs thanks for your honest reply.
@@Brian-vs9sd You are welcome. I try to be upfront, as my members and livestream regulars would hopefully tell you. Integrity is something I strive for in my RUclips hobby and the "paying gig."
💗💗
Thanks for the ❤s!
@@retroCombs Happy 4th!
ok First off small confession to make. I was not really paying all that much attention to the creator name only saw Reto, and well thought it was a RetoBytes video. When I seen I had made a mistake almost hit the back key and leave. However I did stay and watch the full video.
I am not into building or buying reto builds. (although my buddy would disagree, because I have 3 pc's I built from 2012-2016, he thinks that they are trash and should get rid of them and just use the 2 newer pc's 2020 and 2022. but I built the other ones and still love them and use them daily But I digress ). Now where was I? Oh ya. So I more like the history of pc's and the evolution of pc's. But I do find your particular type of content interesting and will now watch a cpl more videos of yours.
As for this video I think it is great they reached out to you, and even offered a discount for your viewers. I like your commentary and delivery, Hence why I will watch a cpl more videos today. Not sure if I will sub or not I let ya know if I do but you will get a like for all the videos. So good job keep plugging away and have a great day and thanks for the video.
Well, I'm so happy to be a mistake! Loved your comment and appreciate you giving my channel a shot. I'm an 8-bit (and old) guy, so I wouldn't classify 2012 computers retro but they will be one day! Again, thanks for giving the channel a try and hope you subscribe. 😄
PCs from 2012 to 2016 aren't retro yet... just outdated. 😁 Putting together PCs of that era and newer is so incredibly easy. No jumpers to set on the main board, a modern BIOS/UEFI does all the work for you. And any modern OS will autodetect hardware, sort out drivers and let you know of any problems... all without any fuss and crashing the system. A far cry from the (IBM compatible) PCs of '80s and '90s. The plethora of 8 bit home computers and the later 16/32 bit machines were far more interesting until Id Software released original Doom. 😁
@@another3997 Oh I know what your are saying. I built my own pc's back in the 90's. Well I remember messing with aoutexe.bat, config.sys files and trying to get the bios and jumpers set right. Now I am 60 and well modern just works for me now. I may one day buy and old 286,386 or 486 again just for the fun of it, and well playing Falcon4.0 again, mechwarrior. but that would be a someday thing.
Lol I just remembered when plug and play came out, confused the hell out of me, It was not really plug and play. More like plug and hope sometimes.
Doom, the only game that runs on a toaster. 🍞😂
For me it seemed they became more difficult to use than my original VIC-20. All that IRQ and config.sys stuff.
Hmmm, I have to say it is a good concept but badly let down by design flaws that they should have realised before release. Even though they are a small company are we really saying nobody thought to have smaller angled cables and maybe a flap to close up the back or a more secure method of holding the Pi400 so it wasn't wobbly? Even a small battery pack should have been available.
There are lots of portable screens now with USB C, some with battery packs to power the devices and some to be powered by the devices and they are all pretty cheap. I'm really not sure that this product has any place in the market in its current state... even with a paltry 15% off.
Don't disagree with any of those thoughts. Here's hoping version 2 is more thought out.
Even with the discount this product is not worth it
You are probably right, for most folks.
With the discount you're basically paying $204 for an average 13.3" LCD screen and a touchpad.
And all the cost to design, engineer the mold, manufacture, and assemble the case. Just needed some additional tweaks before it went live.
@@retroCombs An LCD monitor and USB touchpad also includes the cost to do all that.
@@Throckmorton.ScribblemongerWe get it, you don't like the product and you're determined to make sure as many people as possible know it. But as much as I agree with his original review, the product has it's use cases, and some people may find the discount enough to tip the balance. Whatever you think, designing and producing custom cases like this, on a small scale, is always going to be relatively expensive. Buying the parts, assembly, having packaging produced and all the other minutiae, simply do not come cheap. Economies of scale exist. Hopefully the product will be improved over time.
Cool that they got back to you!
Happy 4th, Jamie!
@@mkrleza thanks sir!
And what a cool way for Lauren to respond.
They only got back because he made a video. They should've replied to the first email that was sent.
Using emojis and claiming they were watching cat videos instead of reading emails can only come from a Zoomer.
😂 You might be correct, but how I did laugh when I read that line.
@@retroCombs It would be a reason to shop elsewhere for most people.
@@Throckmorton.Scribblemonger100% agree. That email would completely put me off trying any of their products without it having a glowing review from somebody like retroCombs.
I love the way people put condescending monikers on people, assigning them to some arbitrary group, having never met them or had contact with them before. Of course, others might have some condescending moniker for you and those like you. I do think the excessive use of emojis is rather OTT in any conversation, but I have friends who like to use them like that. It's a personal thing. But seriously , who doesn't like watching cat videos? Or videos of rescued Beaver kitts (shout out to Holley Muraco for her great YT videos)? 🤔🙄😁😺👍. Sorry, couldn't resist. 😉
I get it.
Please make version 2 with an Amiga aesthetic. Amiga 500? 600? 1200?
Now that's a great idea.
@@retroCombs What if it was a complete Pi 400 shell and keyboard replacement to mimic Amiga looks? It doesn't exist yet!
If they did that, you should just be able to drop a Raspberry Pi 4 in the shell and call it a day like this one: amzn.to/44uC9Nt (#ad)!