Replica 1

From The ReActiveMicro Apple II Wiki
Revision as of 08:36, 2 March 2018 by RMHenry (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Replica 1 Plus
Current version from ReActiveMicro

The Replica 1 was created by Vince Briel of BrielComputers.com in 2003. The Replica 1 Plus was created in mid 2014.

Briel Computers specialized in retro hobby computer kits. They started in 2003 with a replica of the first Apple computer, the Apple 1. They focused on developing computer kits and boards like those you could purchase in the 1970′s and early 80′s.

In 2015 Briel Computers closed its doors and stopped accepting orders as Vince had a career change.

In September 2017, Henry from ReActiveMicro contacted Vince about reproducing his kits and projects for sale to help supply the current Community demand.


Project Status: Completed. In production. Actively sold by ReActiveMicro.

Support: Post on the Discussion page (link above) or email ReActiveMicro Support. The Briel Computers forums also hold a wealth of information.

Sales: Visit the ReActiveMicro Store.


Kit Assembly

The parts included with your Replica 1 kit and the PCB have basic labels. Those with intermediate knowledge should have little trouble assembling the kit from just these labels. The image of the Replica 1 can also be used for reference or to help determine orientation.

The manual also has the full assembly instructions. See chapter 4, page 12.


History

Vince Briel started Briel Computers in 2003 as a result of high demand for replica 1 computers. It started out as a hobby to build a replica of a computer he could never own. Soon, Leander Kahney learned of my project and wrote an article for Wired Magazine.

At the time, the replica 1 was not finished and no response from Apple about use of Woz code. Then Woz was kind enough to allow use of the code, thus creating another article in Wired.

In 2015 Briel Computers closed its doors and stopped accepting orders as Vince had a career change and had little time left for the bobby business.

In September 2017, Henry from ReActiveMicro contacted Vince about reproducing his kits and projects for sale to help supply the current Community demand. Vince was more than happy to see his project live on and supplied ReActiveMicro with all the files needed to start production.


Versions

Replica 1 Plus v1.0 start produced by ReActiveMicro in November of 2017. This version can be easily identified by the "Distributed By: ReactiveMicro.com" marking under the "replica 1" name in the middle top of the board. This version is a direct reproducion with no other edit or changes made.


Here are some past versions of the Replica 1 board by Briel Computers.

CPU

The Replica 1 normally comes with a 6502 CPU. The newer 65C02 can be used, however there is no benefit and the newer OpCodes will not be used unless the user calls them directly. This however is not "standard" and other 02 compatible software would not use the C02.

There were some bugs fixes in the C02 CPU. Software could be written that exploited these bugs in the old CPU, however none is known. All the known Apple 1 software should work find on the C02 CPU.

To identify which CPU you have installed on your Replica 1 look at U1 located on the lower left of the PCB. If the letter "C" is in the middle of the part number then it's a 65C02 CPU and not a 6502 CPU.

(add pic with circle of CPU)


To Do

Add: Pics. Add software links. Upload disk images to the RM FTP site in correct folder.