Big Commander X16 Update!
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2023
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Deep respect for the transparency around cost
it's a little depressing seeing firsthand why it's so hard to have a small business, and how huge the leap is to becoming the kind of BIG business that can handle large orders, how many more people you have to hire, the gigantic overhead.. there's a reason things are so stratified, realities from the market all the way to government regulation really make it supremely hard to stay on the large end of small.
He is very honest that many former employees of game companies who make miserable games through crowdfounding.
COF COF Keiji Inafune COF COF
zero respect for brainless npc's
@@russianvideovlogguy but my good warrior, what are you fighting and saving the world for if there's no NPCs populating it?
Had he not dug himself in to a hole in the first place, the price wouldn't be such an issue. The fact remains that he DID put a target number to his "ideal" retro computer, at the same time saying that same product shouldn't use FPGA or old, hard to source components. Now he has been forced to concede that this "ideal" price MIGHT be achievable, but only by using FPGA to replicate the whole system. And due to some bad design choices, the $350 board still uses an FPGA, plus it uses an old, hard to source sound chip. Fortunately he found an almost compatible, but still old and hard to get alternative.
In this video: David explains how he’s suffering from success. 😂 Big W!
It’s low-key hilarious that people rushed to buy your merch after you said you were done with it. I mean no ill will by saying that. I get that there are ups and downs to that sort of thing happening, but I’m glad in the aggregate, things seems to be going quite well. Congrats on selling out of the first batch of X16’s so quickly!
I’m glad you called out the non-constructive criticism too. Just keep doing your thing!
hi AntVenom Im a fan
omg real ant venom :D
lmao the last place i expected to see a Minecraft RUclipsr
@@danfm1 same
Didn't think to see antvenom here :D
While the $500 price tag was too expensive for my budget, I'm super happy to hear that later prices will be cheaper. I really want to get my hands on my own system! Thanks again for all this hard work
Bidenomics
Same. Maybe someday I can get an X-16... Gonna try to save up my money because I want to support hobbyist development!!
Same, at $350 its def something I would consider.
The 8-bit Guy should be careful not to Osborne himself with the promise of cheaper boards in the future, though I expect a number of fans will want to get the first edition.
This pricing pattern was normal for chips back in the day. New designs would be insanely expensive due to development costs, then over the years the price would drop and drop. I don't know how well it would work for retail, I see see @gdclemo's mention of the Osborne 1, but I think we're not quite the same kind of customers Osborne would have had in the 80s. We don't want the X16 for work, we're highly aware of what it is and how it differs from others in the market and many of us want it for what it is, so there's not quite the same market forces in play. And I suspect that even after the pandemic, people still may have more disposable income, on average, than in the 80s.
David this whole channel is a personal project. Don’t worry about what subjects people want to see you cover, just do what you’re passionate about and we’ll watch. Many of your videos I didn’t watch until months or years later because I didn’t find the subject interesting. But when I finally got around to watching I enjoyed it, because you enjoyed making it.
For myself personally, I probably won’t play your games or buy the X16. They’re not to my taste. But as soon as I see those videos in my feed I click. I love seeing your passion for games and retro tech. And learning from a first hand source about the logistical reality of pursuing such projects helps me appreciate the projects I back and keeps me motivated with my own.
Thank you for all the free entertainment and education.
Jeri Ellsworth is the engineer that designed a clone of the C64 that fitt on a single chip for the "C64 Direct-to-TV." - a C64 in a joystick.
She replicated the VIC-II and other chips, including cycle-accurate timing.
If she says that the Commander X16 can be made smaller, it can be made smaller.
She was doing the FPGA thing pretty early in the retro scene, that's how I found out about them. When I first heard about her machines I was like "What's an FPGA, just use a software emulator". Little did I know FPGA is the best way to do it, she did wonders with those C64 machines.
I mean sure, you could probably put the whole thing on a single package using Asics, but that's expensive up front.
Thank you for this! I was curious, as I’m very much a casual fan of the scene, not a major follower, so I had no clue! I appreciate the extra context a lot!!
@@6581punk I can't even say I have scratched the surface but they are amazing components.
I bought one of those things earlier this year and it's amazing what you can stuff onto a single chip. I am trying to write a few short programs, like some of the ones that Rob and does on 8-bit show and tell to see how deep the emulation goes
Thanks for the shout out! It’s exciting to see those keyboards boxed up, and the computer in a factory. Keep up the good work Commandos! Your friend in retro, Perifractic
Yeah baby!!!!!
I literally found your amazing channel @retrorecipes because of this
This community rocks! Keep the 8bit and retro alive!
Great work with K.I.T.T so far mate
How is the e-begging campaign for your roommate's baby going?
Great job, man. Anyone who has been in production knows how initial goals often turn out to be unrealistic, but let's be honest here: you set out to build a brand new computer and you did it. I'm proud to have followed you on this journey.
Right! If you can achieve all your goals you are not aiming hi enough. Better to aim for the stars and land in the trees. Then aim for the trees and land in the mud.
@@dontimberman5493 achieving all your goals isn't easy even with experience.
In this case, people were ghetto-rigging a completely new computer system with completely new features and. either reusing and replacing 40 year old stuff. You can't expect to meet all the goals in a context like this.
That's why there's rarely a startup that doesn't go over budget ever. I have problems with startups that do and do not deliver because the core goal was either unattainable or beyond their skill. But this is not the case.
Happy to see you took our advice and sought out a manufacturer that had all of the proper production equipment. You'll get a superior product in the end.
I'm only partway through the video, but I am glad that you got a manufacturing partner to actually put those boards together. The solder dipping station was probably an interesting learning experiment, but this machine is getting to a scale where it really makes a lot more sense to do it that way!
Also, I love seeing tours of these sort of factories, so it's awesome you were able to film there!
Interesting or just expensive
@@sn1000klike most things involving this computer "needlessly expensive"
@@sn1000k unsustainable
@@medes5597😡
we want calibration with LGR
I followed the X16 project from the start, and I'm honestly incredibly impressed how a bunch of retro computing enthusiasts managed to develop an entire platform and were able to produce actual units! If this doesn't speak of the potential lying in the X16 as well as the retro computing community. I hope I can buy one some time in the future, but at the moment I'm just way too broke.
If you do a quick search, you'll find lots of hobbyist computers are out there already, often in kit form or built in small numbers. Some are the work of one or two people, some are done by bigger teams. Most are relatively unknown outside of a small circle of enthusiasts. A few, like the Spectrum Next and the C65 hit the headlines because of historical links to well known computers. The X-16 is competing in a niche, but crowded market.
@@another3997Except the X-16 is much more complex and you get a fully assembled board that's ready to go... Not to mention the SCALE of the runs is much bigger than a few hand built units.
Not to put anyone down, but what this guy is doing is on a whole different level.
@@AB0BA_69 The Agon Light 2 is available now for $60, is fully assembled, runs BBC micro basic, has GPIO and other expansion modules available, and runs with more memory and a faster processor.
I'm not trying to diminish what David has done, but I think it's fair to compare it to what others have done as well. The price is far cheaper, the design is simpler, and the capabilities are impressive for the Agon Light 2.
Where can I buy this from
@@stevesether *Different CPU architecture, though. Some prefer to code in 65x assembly. Just saying.
As a SNES cart orderer who kind of forgot that he did, I appreciate the update! I will stay tuned to all the videos for any other random announcement but otherwise thank you so much for all your effort!
Should have ordered a Genesis cart. I got mine delivered right away 😏
Beautiful! I just love it when a plan comes together. Thanks for being a good role model for this generation, showing how it’s done, with real work and collaboration.
As someone who purchased one of the X16 bundles for $500, I have *zero* problem with having helped contribute to making this project a reality. To bring something like this to fruition is no minor task, and you and the team have done an amazing job!
I agree. I too bought one of the $500 bundles and have no regrets. It's an amazing project and when it arrives (hopefully tomorrow) I know I'll have some major fun with it. The amount of work hobbyists and enthusiasts have put into the project is immeasurable and it has grown so much over the past 4 years. I've been around since the very first video of him talking about the idea of making the "dream computer" and 4 years down the line, it's all real. I am very excited about where the project is going and who knows, I might be able to persuade my friends into getting a Gen 2 "game console" version when it releases.
Do you at least admit you are not the typical person, even within the retroscene?
@@TaijanDean I got mine on Monday, and my youngest offspring (now 19) and I were fiddling with it yesterday. Waiting for the case to arrive, to be able to set it up properly.
@@tarstarkusz You mean because of things like me making a 13 hour round trip to pick up a load of TRS-80s and then giving all but one of them away? Or because I literally drove two of them to Portland to give to Adrian Black? I'm okay with that, as it helps others.
The project was already a reality before you paid $500, though.
The manual rework and the bodge wire make this feel even more like an authentic piece of 80s tech
You'll find bodge wires even in aerospace lol.
Sure, just like the bodge wire on the C128. Bil Herd talked about it in one of his presentations.
All it needs is an urgent safety notice after a couple of months, warning users that they need to return the power supply or it'll burn their house down, like TI and Sinclair. Happy days!
@@MarkTheMoroseHow would a tiny patch wire on low voltage lines cause a safety hazard lmao
@@ASAVSP He was just referencing what happened to TI and Sinclair in the 80s.
...or to Apple iPhone in the 2010s.
Really cool to see the behind the scenes manufacturing process.
Zero problems with your videos being about "pet projects". I love that sort of stuff, and hadn't realized that there was a difference between that and your "ordinary videos". :)
I'm not necessarily interested in getting one of these systems but boy is it interesting to see how it's evolving
Ja również kibicuję i szanuję cały projekt oraz ciężką pracę weń włożoną, mimo iż system jak i gry mnie nie interesują.
Hey takes guts to do what you do. Most projects are developed privately so all the prototypes, corrections, and other lessons learned go unpublished. I appreciate the honesty in presentation with this product. It makes for an interesting story and an opportunity for all to learn. Thank You!
I am a software developer and have not much interest in soldering, microcontrollers or low level programming. But man ... seeing your hard work and collaboration with other enthusiasts ... the first boards leaving the assembly line ... that's so mesmerizing and inspirational at the same time.
Keep it up!
What do you develop?
people often prepare for failure, hardly ever do the prepare for success !
glad to hear about your success . good job dude . we knew you could do it .
For every naysayer I'm willing to bet there are a thousand fans who don't really comment much but are rooting for you and the X16. Rock on David
True. David's last video was peppered with people calling him a fraud... people who had no interest in buying anything to begin with.
100%.
yeah even if I'm not a buyer, it's still great to see this multiple years long dream project come to life.
Hell yeah!
Correct 💯
I grew up with the 8-Bit guy and it's awesome to see that he's living his dream
Wait, as in you were a childhood friend or that you’ve grown up watching?
@@trekintosh grown up watching probably
Dudes ballin
I wish I could say the same thing, but I'm like 15 years older than David. 🥲
TheIBookGuy
Customer expectations are ALWAYS a tricky thing to deal with, we all have different expectations and backgrounds on what we care/don't care about. Keep up the great work, long time watcher and I really appreciate all the effort into teaching everyone so much on this old tech. Being an engineer myself I really appreciate you going through the manufacturing process its really interesting to watch!
I'm glad to see you reach this point with the X16. I didn't always agree with the choices you guys made, but I am definitely impressed to see you reach the finish line.
If nothing else I bet Jeri can help you figure out how to build a pin compatible FPGA board for that yahama chip. She's a gifted engineer, she could put everything in an FPGA fabric if that was the goal.
If Jeri Ellsworth says that it can be condensed down to something low-priced, I'd believe her there and then, given that she was one of the people who created the C-One & C64 DTV after all, so she's got experience in making all that chippery shrink into a small chip or two... :)
@@breaddough-vk8gfperhaps
But it is a well qualified opinion
@@breaddough-vk8gf tbh I don't think they did just take it at face value wholesale, but more that an opinion like her's gives some validation to their ultimate phase 3 plan and more reason to look into miniaturization seriously.
Tbh, seems like you may be reading into it too much. This isn't just a Twitter thread or TikTok trend.
From what I've seen, these people know what they're doing and how to do it properly
Edit: also, while I am all for it being an enthusiast package where you can fix and replace every component, that adds cost. While I do want a X-16 at some point, I don't think I can afford 350$ on a purely hobby computer let alone the 500$ first run. For my purposes, a 50$ single chip option that keeps the same open ended and simple operating system and software environment would be perfect for my use case, even if it means sacrificing some accessibility
@@breaddough-vk8gf They know she has experience with what she's talking about, so they're not taking her opinion at face value. It's more like they know her opinion has a high value for a good reason.
@@breaddough-vk8gf I have my own reasons for wanting the 50$ single chip version.
I found every video interesting. You don't get to see products go from idea all the way to production very often. In fact, just about never.
100% agree - David's "personal projects" are just as much part of the reason why I subscribed to the channel in the first place as any other - keep 'em coming!
True. Sadly Most People don't care . They buy it, use it and after it gets old or broken, it lands into the dumpster. It's a shame
Honestly 8-bit guy is very smart to be working on a project like this now when he's already amassed a large audience on YT.
Mad respect for you working hard to bring PHYSICAL PRODUCTS to market. I recently bought your Sega Genesis game and even though it has some flaws I'm having a good time with it :)
As long as you make videos showing the stuff you like and love i dont care hiw oftend it is about a certain topic. Watching your visions come true is so great. I am a big fan of "attack of the PETSCII Robots" and i also think that you did an outstanding job with the planetX-series. I am sure that your commander x16 Project will be as wonderfull as everything else you have worked on... In germany we say "er nutzt sein herzblut" witch roughly translates to "he's using his heart-blood"... You put so much love, sweat and blood into your projects that everyone with a kind heart can see and feel it. Dont let yourself get emotional touched by naysayers that did not accomplish one bit of what you have done! And you have done amazing stuff! For the community. Not only the one close to you but to all over the world!
Stay safe and healthy! Greetings from germany!
I don’t know what’s to hate. I designed and built a hobby computer from scratch, with multiple PCBs, custom case, OS, and a heavily modified BASIC. I had to do it on my own, with no outside funding either. It was a wild ride, my very first, and I can tell y’all, it wasn’t cheap or easy.
I applaud the 8-bit guy and all those that worked with him on this project for delivering something truly amazing!
My little project pales in comparison.
When you have a large viewer base something will inevitably set someone off. Usually someone who didn't care, didn't contribute, isn't a target audience, and just wants to pick it apart...
Or they donated $20 to a Kickstarter just because they watched a video, and thought a fully working product would be ready 3 months from the campaign end...
"with no outside funding either"
What do you mean? They got funded over $51k.
Congratulations, you just experienced "First Number Syndrome". People will always remember the first number you tell them regardless of what may happen later. So if you tell them it's going to cost X and it ends up costing Y they'll throw explosive tantrums about how "You said it was only going to cost X" even if that estimate is 5, 10, 15 or even 20 years out of date.
@@Okurka.he means that he didn't got outside funding from his project not 8bitguy project I think
I know right? People act as though 8-bit guy is going to show up at their house and put a joystick to their head demanding that they purchase the X 16. Frankly, even if he wants to sell it for $5000 I can’t imagine any reaction beyond shrugging and saying “I guess I won’t buy it.”
Oh my gosh, that was a blast from the past for me. In the late '90s, I worked in manufacturing at HP and our wave solder machine that I manned was very similar.
I think a lot of us are here to see your pet projects! This whole channel feels like your pet project to me, and I love it.
if only he'd make a commodore PET clone, that would be a literal pet project.
Congratulations! Been following this project since the beginning, it's so awesome to see the X16 actually getting to this point. I look forward to the future iterations!
I remember watching the original video that started all this. Everything has gone so far! Creating boards in a factory is amazing, and can't wait to buy one in the future.
woohoo! new 8bit guy video
bro i'm still waiting for another airsoft video
Yes, very rare they are.
Yes yes whooo hoo
This entire Commander X16 jorney from idea, passing hobbyist level through fundraiser to actual "big boys" manufacturing is nothing but amazing.
So many projects go similar paths, but the X16 journey has something few others havet: This amazing level of insight. The details of the entire journey up til this point.
Making a complete product is more than just "getting it to work", glad to see that you pulled all the way through on this.👍
I am very proud of what you've done. I was one of those people who donated $100, and I never plan to buy one (I have a C64 on a shelf I have yet to use). I saw the X16 at VCF East, and played a little PETSCII on it. I think this kind of thing is fantastic for the retro computer movement and I am so glad Mr Hussain agrees. Keep up the great work!
Wow, that is Old b-roll going south on 75. The logo on top of one of those buildings changed over a year ago
Nice catch... I took that video a few years ago, and forgot to take some on my recent trip to Suntronic, so I just used the old B-Roll.
Massive respect David. I so enjoy your content and thank you to have given so much of your time in educating myself and others. The amount of work you've put into this is brilliant. Thank you so much 👍🏼
Jeri Ellsworth designed the C64DTV. If you know anything about how much the companies making hardware try to save pins and connections on ASICs, she must have fought like a lion(ness) for the numerous spare pins with access to all C64 peripheral interfaces.
I have great hopes for future revs. where cost reductions start to come into play. Optimizations and equal performance here we come 👍
I don't mind videos covering your personal projects. I find them interesting. As long as the videos are interesting that's all that matters.
So glad that the new board production method is working out! Things will just get smoother as these steps get more automated, so it’ll be really fun to see the X16 grow and improve from here!
I enjoyed this video a lot. Many years back I worked on a soldering.machine and tht and smd placement machines. We even developed a wave soldering machine that works inside with nitrogen instead of air to avoid oxidation of the bath and plate. Later our company bought a nitrogen wave soldering machine that does all what you showed us by itself (with a fluxer inside). Controlling the soldered parts was done with another robot that had a camera. The SMD placement (Siplace) were measuring and photographing each component before placing it to ensure it is working and has the right orientation. We maintained all the systems by our self. I remember even that some bigger parts that would have been normally THT were mounted directly on the board with another construction form and was reflow soldered. I don't miss these times, but it was great to see how things are done. A great throwback for me watching this.
Wow! I have been watching your content for months. I am an old IT nerd 57 years young. You are doing a great job of working out all the manufacturing issues. I hope you have a lot of volunteers to do some of that manual work. I would love to help. Even if my job is playing a game. So demeaning!! Wow. I think everyone should be a part of this!! So many retro fans!! I can see how you are running into all these go live production issues. You show that you are serious about doing a working first generation product. Great to hear you have software writers. You covered all the bases. Good luck on 2nd and 3rd Gen. Sounds like a total sell out! Great to hear other manufacturing fans are offering help! Cheers! Christopher.
One of my favorite thing about David is watching his progress throughout the years. You have come a long way and I am willing to bet I am not alone in thinking that we know you, like you are a friend that we come to watch your videos. Amazing job and I can't wait to see more of your content! I will wait until things settle a bit and pick up a X16!!
Congratulations, this is really great news! I think that having the first batch of boards is a great accomplishment and I'd like to encourage you to continue with your channel and with the Commander X16 project!
Sounds like you’re more or less in line with your plan considering all that’s happened since the original plan! This is a cool project and I hope it (continues to) succeed!
I've been so interested in watching the progression of this project since the beginning. I remember watching the first video talking about the concept of a dream computer and thought it was interesting. When the second video dropped I was like "oh wait your actually doing it?" It's been really interesting watching the progression of this project, I probably wouldn't buy it unless it hits that sub $100 price point but that doesn't mean Im angry with the price. Expensive ≠ Overpriced
David is one of the most ethical and dedicated individuals in this community, and its way out of line that people are spreading misinformation about the project. Sometimes things take a little longer to do right.
Ethical? You haven't found his gun channel, I guess.
@@Okurka.You win an Attention seeking kids award
These channels would be far better without you childish (going by user name) clown 🤡
@@Okurka.guns aren't bad, it's just that gun control needs to be improved ALOT. guns don't kill people, people kill people.
There is nothing unethical on his other channel. He's exercising his constitutional rights and that is none of your concern.
@@Okurka.I’ve seen it, it’s badass 😊
I recently bought a Commodore 128! Your restoration video helped me a lot in cleaning it up, so I wanted to say thank you!
It was that video from wow now 6 years ago that sparked my interest in going back to these old computers. I still haven't fixed our C128 but I'm working on it. It needs a LOT of work.
The "evidence," he shows literally says, "Requirements for Dream Computer," and "Cost around $50"
Congratulations on seeing this through to actual production!!
The Commander X16 project is truly amazing! I'm impressed by the design, thought process, and craftsmanship behind it. I also want to express my gratitude for addressing the pricing concerns in this video. You and your team have done an exceptional job on this project, and it's evident in the results.
Very happy for you! Congrats on seeing this through to production! Looking forward to seeing what all comes from it!
Imagine being mad at someone for achieving their goals FAR beyond expectations, and documenting every step of it for all to see. Ignore the haters David, make videos about whatever you want and you know we'll be watching them.
Congratulations for getting the X16 out!!
I've been loosely following this for a long time. I LOVED programming assembly language on my VIC-20 and C64 back in the early 80's. And I still have a 128D boxed up somewhere.
I'm glad to hear that the project keeps going. Maybe when the less expensive versions appear someday I'll splurge for one, get back to 8-bit programming in my retirement, and thus go full circle.
How great to see Jeri Ellsworth!
I like the pet projects as much as any of the other videos you produce man, no need to apologize. I think we regular viewers are just happy to watch you work on whatever 😁
People are always complaining. It’s an amazing project that I follow since the beginning.
Please continue, you gave me the taste to work back on electronic.
Huge congrats. Everyone involved has been such a huge inspiration!!
Fun fact, the id Software office is about 400 meters away from Suntronics in Richardson.
Doom is made right next door to the X16 :)
So the next question comes naturally - will it run Doom?
It's 1 km or several blocks away. It's literally not next door.
@@Okurka. oh my gosh thank you so much, how could I have missed that? You are the savior of mathematics
@@Okurka. Closer than Phobos, at least. I'm keeping the lights on tonight, in case I hear a blood-curdling shriek from Imps.
While I have no interest purchasing any of your pet projects, it's still fun to see the development and progress of them.
Cool to see hobbiest computing is still a thing, beyond just buying a Raspberry Pi etc.
Of course people are going to hate on Dave, he's successful.
Oh man, I've been following this for years. I don't know if I'll be able to afford one at launch; but I can GUARANTEE I'm all in. We got rid of our C64 when I was about 6, and I've been fascinated with them since, but haven't been able to get my hands on another to actually LEARN. Commander X16 is basically going to be a gateway into a world I've always wanted to play in and I can't wait.
Minor differences in the sound chips? Oh no, that's a deal breaker, no 8-bit computer could live with that :P
Amazing accomplishment. Be proud of what you have done. Imagine back to when you were 14. Yeah. You did it! Proud of you
Your channel is one of the few reasons I still bother with RUclips. Thanks for the quality, the transparency, and for all of the great information from over the years.
Appreciate the behind the scenes and transparency. I have no stake in whatever this project is, just a casual watcher, but I still enjoyed the video! I know I'm not alone when I say I'm here for your passion, whether that's in the form of a personal project video or otherwise, we'll be here enjoying what you have to share!!
It's honestly kind of amazing where you ended up, from posting basic computer tips to making your own computer and games, you've come such a long way man
I wanted to drop a comment that I enjoy your videos.
For me, content on David's own projects is the best possible content on his channel. It's one of the few things left that inspires me to do my own projects and dream about releasing my own games. It's super awesome and I really wish these videos would never stop!
$350 for an independently developed bit of hardware is more than reasonable, impressive even. I doubt you guys are making much profit (if any) at this stage. Don't listen to the whiners, they are not your market and probably would have complained even if you were selling a $50 product (which they still wouldn't buy). Awesome update on an awesome bit of kit.
Wishing you guys all the best and looking forward to seeing where this goes moving forward :)
I love your channel, the X-16 project, and everything you produce. I can't wait to get an X-16 of my own.
Also, Jeri Ellsworth is an icon! She knows her stuff, I bought one of her TIlt-Fives to play with rescently and she has a lot of experience in production, as you allude to in this video.
Aren't these suppose to be open hardware? Why aren't the kicad/eagle files available or at least the gerber files? Only the VERA module has schematics available it seams.
Congratulations to everyone involved!
So happy everything is working out well for the X-16 Project! Personally I'm not ready to invest in one just yet, but I will certainly be keeping an eye one it. As for how I feel about posting your personal projects, don't worry about it. It's one of the reasons I keep coming back to the channel! Wishing you all the best!
The amount of work that goes into each board... wow. I am even more impressed.
Absolute labor of love!
I was more surprised there are still board manufacturers in TX and they are flexible enough to take a contract for David's (comparably) small production run!
Awesome to see this interest in 2023! Best wishes!
Great to hear a good status update on the Commander X16. Sounds like it's going really well. Looking forward to the solar test, too
As long as the world has such awesome people like you, who clearly love what they do, we might all be ok. 👏👏👏
Personally I would love to meet him in person.
Heh, whoops! I really did order the SNES Robots game immediately after hearing you had it out. Sorry for contributing to the mass of sales, but it’s literally the first piece of merch I got from you and I felt bad that you were going to stop re-stocking merch.
Looking and sounding burned out my friend make sure to take some time for yourself. your fans really do love and appreciate all you do!!
If I recall correctly, Microbotics was located in Richardson, TX. I had one of their VXL-30 accelerators and some of their fast ram in my first Amiga 500 back in the 90s. Great product! I’m looking forward to getting a Commander X 16!!!
It's not for me (never had a C64), but it's still really cool to see your team creating this! I just hope you don't sell anything at-cost or at a loss again so it doesn't burn you out!
So cool to see your production going so well. Good luck!
Awesome, straight to the point, open & honest update & nothing but the best from you Dave.
Having worked in my 1st job as an apprentice tech at Ericsson at their old Melbourne factory around 1987 where we had and entire production line running wave soldering, totally through hole construction for the AXE PABX boards & early Handyway EFTPOS dialup terminals with ECO (engineering change orders), official bodge wires, entire raft of HQ paperwork we had to follow, IEEE488/GPIB involving Rodhe & Schwarz plus wandel & goltermann test setups using an old school HP commercial computer testing both 74LS & Cmos devices where I helped also manage their PDP 11/40 loading RK05 disk packs I can definitely relate all the challenges you've been facing.
What you've created is even more innovative than not just the C64 or VIC20 but the Aussie Microbee & ETI synthesisers & looks really incredible!.
Jeri knows her stuff & since she already has proven C64 designs, I trust her judgement 100% so keep Jeri on your team.
Awesome to see it all coming along, don't stress about naysayers as if it was really that easy they'd already be creating their own designs proving others wrong plus, love all your videos & looking forward for more as I know you mix up content!.
God bless you & all your family for being awesome
You're such a hero, David. The history videos are lovely for a nostalgic like me - but your various personal projects really makes the golden age of 8-bit computing come alive and bridge it to today.
I actually really enjoy your personal projects videos, mostly because your personal projects themselves are highly relevant to the rest of your content. It's been really cool following you game development work, and while I doubt I'll ever buy one, seeing the X16 go from an idea to manufacturing has been a fascinating ride.
Hey, David, there's nothing wrong with videos about your pet projects. Each one means another 8-Bit Guy video, and that can only be a good thing. I certainly enjoyed this one: very informative and enjoyable. I'm really looking forward to this upcoming one on the solar panels. Cheers, from New Zealand.
Thanks for showing the featured music at the end! :)
Populating all those chip socket looks fun for the first few!
Like the Medic from TF2 Said: "The Sound of Progress my friend", and it's good to see this project being more and more alive as time is progressing
ze sound of poggers
Nothing like a successful onsite FAI. So happy to see that you went with a higher volume production line.
I’ve been watching since this channel was called the iBook guy. It makes me so happy to see him chasing his dreams! Gives me me tenacity to start chasing mine again. Thank you for the video!
Wow! That is a tonne of work for each unit sold!
3:22 - wtf... There is a mattress and a boxspring on the side of the freeway! LOL
I am seriously so happy that this project is coming to fruition, good on you!
Brings back memories from the late 90’s when I used to work at NEC in Hillsboro, OR. I worked with the SMT machines. I had to change out the chip reels, change and align the solder stencils over the circuit boards, then add the programming for each work order.
What is to hate on?
Taking a project from prototype to production is a major undertaking.
looks like you're doing a bang up job of it.
Don't let them get you down.
Brings back memories. Worked for TI in the wave soldering area. Last thing I did was board repair.. yep, I was the guy removing those solder bridges etc..