I would like to share with you a board I have been working on for the past seven months - the 8-Bit 60
This board is inspired by popular portable gaming systems from the late 80s.
To pay homage to the console that inspired me I wanted to include features such as wireless connectivity, a working power switch, and a functional USB hub.
My goal was to recreate my childhood, while also making something new.
Pricing: Estimated pricing is around $489 USD
Specs 5˚ Typing angle
As for PCBs, Bluetooth (by Ella) will be a basic bluetooth PCB; Wired (by Sleepdealer) will offer a buzzer feature to be able to play 8-Bit tunes on start-up
Difference between BT and Wired - BT: no ISO, no Piezo buzzer, ZMK - Wired: Piezo buzzer, QMK/VIA/L
- BOTH will support uses of the power switch, although it will differ depending on how you want to use it. Both will be able to use the usb hub (note BT can only use the usb hub when plugged in)
Layout:
Note: ISO will not be supported for the Bluetooth variant
Tops:
IC FORM I can’t stress this enough, I make a lot of my decisions based on IC forms for all my projects, so if you really want to be heard please make sure you fill it out. Especially for this project as pricing will be heavily based on interest. Currently it’s estimated based on three hundred orders, but if interest shows that we can do better then there can be room for more.
Uncoated Copper weight (will have a finish in the next proto)
Render: (final colors will be selected based on the IC form)
More
What’s next?
- Finalize color selections (more on that in IC form); this will include the amount of Alu and poly option there will be.
- I am currently thinking about using magnets to hold the top case and bottom case together, as opposed to case screws. I still need to add feet to the board, but I don’t really like how the screw holes affect the placement. I want this board to have a very clean aesthetic and I feel the screw holes at the bottom get in the way.
- I want to play around with bottom mount possibilities. I really want this board to be able to do both top and bottom mount, its quite easy to do but i just have to try it out and see if its really worth it.
With many of my projects, I like to take time and get feedback and make changes. I also like to bounce ideas off of the community to see if we can make things even better. I have decided to create a design server to help with that, which will be used for following all my creations and ideas as they blossom
If you would like to be apart of the process you can join here
BIG thanks to:
Typo.mk for doing the weight design and being a 8-Bit ride or die since day one
RayHHDaiLo for providing tons of feedback during the design process
40s community, yes I will still be doing the original 8-Bit 45, it’s just been put on pause for a lil bit
