Q68 Order Process

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Derek_Stewart
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Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by Derek_Stewart »

Updated Price List 14/10/2021:

Q68 Main Board: £150.00

Q68 built into Case: £170.00

Q68 built into Case, with QL NET Connections: £190.00 **

PS/2 Splitter: £2.00

USB-DC power cable, 1m long: £2.50

** Modifications to the Q68 Case include:
Construction of QL NETwork circuitry
The Q68 Case is profiled drilled for mounting holes to accommodate the fitting of the QL Network circuitry.


Regards,

Derek
mselkin
Bent Pin Expansion Port
Posts: 85
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2021 11:49 am

Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by mselkin »

Hi guys,

I hope you don't mind some newbie questions:

What is the Q68 - is it a modern QL compatible board?
Can it function as an original QL, i.e. can I run Minerva and my original QL software?
Is it still possible for me to order one?
Would it be possible to post some pictures of it and of the optional case for it?

Thanking you,
Mark


Derek_Stewart
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Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by Derek_Stewart »

mselkin wrote:Hi guys,

I hope you don't mind some newbie questions:

What is the Q68 - is it a modern QL compatible board?
Can it function as an original QL, i.e. can I run Minerva and my original QL software?
Is it still possible for me to order one?
Would it be possible to post some pictures of it and of the optional case for it?

Thanking you,
Mark
Hi,

The Q68 is QL compatible computer board that implements 68000 based CPU running at 40Mhz.

See viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2181#p19837 for description of Q68.

The main operating system is SMSQ/E, but Minerva is available.

The Q68 will run most QL software.

Any software that uses the QL hardware may have problems, but I have found any yet.

I will add you yo the waiting list.

Here are some pictures:
Q68 PCB
Q68 PCB
Q68 Case Front
Q68 Case Front
Q68-1.jpeg (4.8 KiB) Viewed 2550 times
Q68 Case Back
Q68 Case Back
Q68-2.jpg (18.08 KiB) Viewed 2550 times
Q68 running Black Phoenix on 65" Monitor TV
Q68 running Black Phoenix on 65" Monitor TV


Regards,

Derek
mselkin
Bent Pin Expansion Port
Posts: 85
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2021 11:49 am

Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by mselkin »

Thank you!
yes, please add me to the wait list!


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Peter
QL Wafer Drive
Posts: 1953
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:47 am

Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by Peter »

The only incompatibilities that eventually kept a few old games from working on the Q68 are the lack of the coprocessor and microdrives.
Both were in my opinion design mistakes in the original QL, and I was not motivated to implement them just for compatibility.
But screen and most QL registers are directly hardware compatible, including mode 8 flash and second screen.

Much better pictures of the Q68 can be found here: https://qlwiki.qlforum.co.uk/doku.php?id=qlwiki:q68


Derek_Stewart
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Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by Derek_Stewart »

Hi,
Peter wrote:The only incompatibilities that eventually kept a few old games from working on the Q68 are the lack of the coprocessor and microdrives.
Both were in my opinion design mistakes in the original QL, and I was not motivated to implement them just for compatibility.
But screen and most QL registers are directly hardware compatible, including mode 8 flash and second screen.
I do not think these are a disadvantages, the Microdrive and Floppy Disc access can be implemented by using MDI and FDI by Martin Head, which gives a access to Micrdrives and Floppy Disk images located in the QWA, FAT, partions.

There is a speed reduction in High Resolution and High Colour modes, but since the majority of QL software runs in 512x256 4 Colour Mode or 256x256 8 Colour mode, or Classic QL Mode, I do not think theis a problem.

All of the Digital Precision Software package runs on the Q68 and the majority can run in 1024x768 4 Colour mode. This screen mode looks very similiar to the QVME on the Atari TT030/Mega STE.
Peter wrote: Much better pictures of the Q68 can be found here: https://qlwiki.qlforum.co.uk/doku.php?id=qlwiki:q68
Looks a nice WIKI page, but the Q68 photographs.


Regards,

Derek
KaySee
ROM Dongle
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Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2020 3:59 pm
Location: Canvey Island, Essex, UK

Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by KaySee »

Hi Derek,

I'm not trying to rush you or anything :D , but is there any progress with these?

Keith.


Derek_Stewart
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Location: Sunny Runcorn, Cheshire, UK

Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by Derek_Stewart »

KaySee wrote:Hi Derek,

I'm not trying to rush you or anything :D , but is there any progress with these?

Keith.
Hi Keith,

I am in the process of trying to get PCBs manfuctuered, just a little cash flow problem at present.

I will keep you updated with the progress.


Regards,

Derek
KaySee
ROM Dongle
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Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2020 3:59 pm
Location: Canvey Island, Essex, UK

Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by KaySee »

Hi Derek,

If it is a question of cash flow I would be happy to pay you now, as I'm sure others would given the chance.

Keith.


Derek_Stewart
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Posts: 3931
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:40 am
Location: Sunny Runcorn, Cheshire, UK

Re: Q68 Order Process

Post by Derek_Stewart »

KaySee wrote:Hi Derek,

If it is a question of cash flow I would be happy to pay you now, as I'm sure others would given the chance.

Keith.
Hi Keith,

I am not comfortable about pre-payment before the product is completed.

Maybe a small deposit, say 25% of the total price, but I will consider this option over Christmas and get back to you.
Last edited by Derek_Stewart on Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:24 am, edited 1 time in total.


Regards,

Derek
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