A real Apple 1 can go for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction so they are a bit beyond my price range. Thanks to Briel Computers, there are other options. After all, the motto of Briel computers is “If you can’t get the real thing, get the Briel thing”.
So, I did. I picked up the kit and assembled the computer from parts and it worked the first time. Then with the help of my dad, we built a beautiful wooden case for it. This computer is probably my most prized item in my collection because of the hard work which went into it and it recalls the Rand X which unfortunately is lost to this world. You can read more about assembling the computer and building the case
Specs:
| CPU | 1MHz 6502 |
|---|---|
| Memory | 32 KB |
| Storage | I am using a CFFA interface and a compact flash card for storage which is definitely not retro but convenient |
| Video | I have connected the composite video output to a video switcher which has composite, svideo and VGA inputs and a single VGA output which I send to a flat panel monitor. |
| I/O | I have the serial port connected to my iMac and I have a PC keyboard connected to the Replica One and mounted to the case. |
What Do I Do With It:
I can use the serial cable to upload software to the Replica One from my iMac. Basically, the iMac types the code in for me when I send the data over the serial. Once it is uploaded, I can save the data to the compact flash card. Using this technique, I have uploaded most of the available Apple 1 software to my system.
But I also have cc65, a C cross compiler working for my Replica One. That way, I can write C code on my iMac and compile it. Then, I upload the binary to the Replica One over serial and can execute the program. I have used this technique to create a typing tutor and a tic-tac-toe program. At the moment, I have no real Replica One projects on the go.