The Apple I used to be an influential step in private computing historical past. Clones of it have grown in reputation since actual machines are uncommon (and costly.) As a substitute of making yet one more clone, retro-computer fanatic Chris Davis took a unique method. The AC-1 is a reimagined Apple I with a 6502 at its core with fashionable microcontrollers supporting it.

The AC-1 circuit board accommodates RAM, ROM, a Peripheral Interface Adapter, glue logic, and a number of other microprocessors. A Western Design Middle (WDC) 65c02 runs the 8-bit Wozrom and BASIC code. Trendy interfaces can be found by way of a Microchip PIC32 and an Arduino Nano.

The PIC32 has two duties: USB keyboard enter and VGA video output. It communicates with an Arduino Nano. The Nano connects to the 65c02’s knowledge bus by way of an MCP23517 I/O Expander. The Arduino additionally offers an interface to an SD card.

Not like the unique Apple I, BASIC is out there in ROM. Which suggests the pc is able to use after it boots. You’ll be able to load BASIC packages from the SD card. The ROM additionally accommodates Wozmon, which is a monitor program. In older computer systems, the monitor means that you can view or change reminiscence contents. Some even allowed for assembling and dissembling quick packages.

In some methods, this package is harking back to the RetroShield. The venture used an actual 6502 (or Z80) processor related to an Arduino Mega emulating classic computer systems’ logic. AC-1, nevertheless, higher reassembles the unique Apple I with its handful of ICs cleanly laid out on a printed circuit board.

General, AC-1 does a improbable job of augmenting classic applied sciences with fashionable elements. Davis designed the package completely with through-hole elements, which ought to make soldering extra accessible to these new to soldering.

Davis says the venture is totally open supply, despite the fact that the GitHub repository (at present) lacks design recordsdata past a PDF of the schematic. Despite the fact that you should buy the AC-1 as an assembled package, the meeting and operations guide does comprise important documentation.

A totally assembled AC-1 is out there for $129 earlier than delivery.