Turnkey
Transformer Power Supply
Switching Power Supply
Base Computer - No Expander Board
MIO and 1 Slot Expander
Assembled Systems
Sorry No Kits!
We do not plan to sell kits. Kits come with the problem of needing to test IC's in a working computer then removing the IC's. Another problem is packaging the parts. As this is likely to be a low volume operation, the time and effort to test and pack components would be very great. The reality is we can build and test a board in less time than it would take to pack a kit of parts every time an order is received. We may eventually offer the front panel and turnkey panel as a kit. The front panel and turnkey boards are labor intensive and use new IC's so no testing of the IC's would be necessary. The main board and the MIO both use recycled parts. The MC6800P, MC6850P, and MC6821P haven't been produced in decades as well as other parts on the main board. Even parts that have sat on the shelf for 40 years sometimes explode when first powered up. This makes testing and burn-in mandatory.
Altair 680B vs Turnkey
Assembled systems are available with the front panel as well as the turnkey front panel. The only difference between the Altair turnkey and the standard Altair is the front panel. The rest of the system is the same. The turnkey panel was developed to create a cheaper computer by MITS. Today that is still the case since switches are very expensive. The front panel is almost as expensive to produce as the main board. If you are looking to save money consider the reproduction with the Turnkey front panel.
Systems Ship with MIO Board
Currently we are unable to program 1702 EPROMs so completed and tested systems will ship with an MIO board. The MIO board as configured for the assembled systems provides 56K of RAM and 8K of EPROM and will boot FLEX from an SD memory card.
Should you wish a basic system, we can provide one with 2102 memory installed, no extender card, and no 1702 EPROM. We can provide an adapter which plugs into the 1702 socket and uses a 2716. Note that an expansion board in the first slot won't clear the 1702 adapter board.
Power on Reset vs Power Supply Type
We offer power supply options using transformers as well as switching power supplies. There are trade offs for each choice. Power on reset seems to be problematic on most Altairs with the standard power up sequence being to select the HALT switch, toggle the RESET switch, and switch the HALT switch to the RUN position. On our reproduction boards we increased the length of the power up reset and while this seems to work most of the time with the transformer power supply, the system never starts when using the switching power supplies without doing the HALT, RESET, RUN sequence. Still you are no worse off using the switching power supplies compared to using an original ALTAIR. We were never able to get a board to cleanly reset and start at power up using the values of parts MITS used in the reset circuit. The switching supplies take a couple of seconds to start and don't ramp up very fast. Unfortunately the switching supplies don't have a power good signal we could use to issue a reset once power is stable.
The transformer power supply is heavier, more expensive, produces more heat, and the computer resets and starts on power up most of the time without a manual reset. The switching supplies are very light, less expensive, don't produce much heat, but as of now you have to manually reset the computer on power up.
Introductory Special - Assembled Systems are Discounted!
The switching power supply is expected to be available in late March.
Power cords are not included. Uses the typical PC power cord.
| Altair-Turnkey | Altair Turnkey Reproduction with MIO board - expander cards with one connector | $675 |
| Altair-680B | Altair Reproduction - front panel, MIO, expander with one connector, transformer power supply | $775 |
| Altair-680B-Basic | Altair Reproduction with cabinet, main board, panel with switches, 1K RAM, and 1702 to 2716 adapter. No expander board included. | $575 |
| Expander-2 | Add to for extra connectors on expander board, total of 3 connectors installed | +$25 |
| AL-Front | Add for aluminum front panel - custom order - three week lead time | +120 |