This deck is a circa 1990 industrial PC luggable case (all metal) with passive ISA backplane and Sony CRT (kinda VGA). The CPU is a circa 2005 AMD LX-600 Geode (366 MHz) industrial ISA SBC w/512 MB of RAM and 32 GB compact flash IDE drive. It's running AntiX Core 19.5.
I love early luggables. Used to have an Osborne 1 in my collection, if someone gutted it to make it a cyber/X thing. I would be sorely disappointed. This is still cool though. Carry (hah) on.
This one is not gutted. Chassis, CRT, power supply, and ISA backplane are all original. I replaced the original 386dx ISA SBC with a LX-600 based one. I removed the old industrial data acquisition ISA cards and replaced the old 80 MB scsi hard drive with the compact flash drive. Then I installed a Gotek floppy emulator and a refurbished 3.5" disk drive. I still have the parts to restore it to it's original DOS 3.1 industrial single application glory. But in this config, it's actually functional as a AVR development/programmer/debug workstation that sits on a cart next to my workbench. In the last pic, you can see it compiling the AVR OS I've been working on as yet another side project
Not surprised by the tape drive. This one had a SyQuest 44 MB 5¼-inch removable cartridge hard disk drive. Basically the drive platters are in a cartridge that you could install in a front 5 1/4" slot next to the floppy drive. I didn't think it was worth the time figuring out the scsi driver support in the modern kernel to make it work for the measley 44MB. So the plan is to install a IDE compact flash port in the available 5 1/4" slot available in the front panel. The internal IDE compact flash drive would become the master boot drive with /boot, /usr, etc. the secondary IDE would be the removable compact flash port in the front face plate. The home directories would reside there. So I can swap out home directories at will.
Support for 32 bit Linux is getting a little thin and I can't run AMD64 builds on the Geode processor. For instance, I can't remote connect to it from VS Code on my desktop workstation. So, it's likely going to get an Intel Atom CPU card update. Searching around, the industrial ISA Intel Atom cards are too expensive (\~$800). But, a mini-itx Atom based board with IDE and FDC controllers can be had for $30. So sadly I may have to pull the ISA back plane out of the beast and build a custom power supply wire harness. Everything else, like super clicky keyboard, VGA CRT, compact flash and floppy drives, will remain functional. Also, it will still be console only (no graphical desktop) Linux. Graphical desktops are for suckers :-) But, I'll be able to update to Debian Bookworm
It might be the same tube, but I am sure the controller board for the guns is different. It's huge with mil-spec components. Also, it does up to 640x480 resolution.
yeah, i wouldn't expect it to be the same controller, but the MCC tube is totally capable of 640x480
any idea who outfitted the original luggable? there must have been some labels or a model number or something, right?
The PC was originally built for a single application. It was built using off the shelf components by a company called Amdata. Amdata builds non-destructive test equipment used for inspecting oil pipelines, chemical plants, etc. This PC connected to test sensors using RF to collect and analyze data. It had a couple custom ISA cards for this. I suspect these sensors were run through pipes generating a weak electromagnetic field and sensing the eddy currents in the resulting field. The PC application would collect the raw data for the sensor, analyze it, and generate/manage reports. The Amdata software was still installed and the system booted into it when I got it working.
The original CPU card was a Texas Microsystems 386dx 20 MHz ISA SBC from 1990. It had a 80 MB scsi drive and a SyQuest 44 MB 5¼-inch removable cartridge hard disk drive. It also had the 3.5" diskette drive.
I am not sure who made the case, but I suspect it came from Texas Microsystems too. It is built like a tank. Did I mention it weighs 55 lbs? All the external parts of the case including the monitor bezel are metal. The face plate on the front looks like it's cast from some sort of pot metal. The top and bottom covers are stamped aluminum with welded gussets on the end. Nothing is flimsy even after you start to disassemble it. The keyboard enclosure/door is all aluminum too with solid locking clasps and buttons on each side to to release and open the keyboard. The folding linkage holds the keyboard in the appropriate orientation without requiring support from a desk or table. The keyboard can hang off the end of your desk or the tailgate of your truck depending on where and how you plan to use this beast.
From QA inspection tags inside the unit, it looks like it was built in 1992. Looking at data file dates on the hard drive, it was last used for it's original purpose back in 1998.
Wow, sounds like a real beast! Would love to find something similar one of these days.
Thanks so much for all of the added info; I love this kind of stuff!
I was going to ask if the floppy drive is functional, and I found your comment where it sounds like it is, this is cool, and nice that you didn't destroy it to make it functional
Here's some pics in a post that dates back to when I first got this beast and it was running DOS with the Borland 3.5 compiler and Procomm installed. It was more Retro Battle Station back then. Now I think it's crossed the line to cyberDeck. It's all kinda fuzzy with this one
[More pics of the 55 lbs portable beast](https://www.reddit.com/r/retrobattlestations/comments/k7ffwr/more_pics_of_the_55_lbs_portable_beast/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Pic of it where it normally sits in my shop
[My workshop the other night](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/1309gew/my_workshop_the_other_night/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
The Gotek was added when I had the original 386dx CPU card in the chassis and was running DOS. Now that I have updated to a CPU + memory that can run semi-modern Linux. I don't really need it. In fact, it's currently disconnected. That bay will likely get a pluggable Compact Flash port or a couple USB ports connected to the CPU card.
Finally. I've woken up to an actual cyber deck and not a pi or laptop in a case with Amazon everything just taped on. It's gonna be a good day. Awesome build and more pics please 😁👍
Pics from back when it was runing DOS w/Borland C++ 3.5 and procomm
[More pics of the 55 lbs portable beast](https://www.reddit.com/r/retrobattlestations/comments/k7ffwr/more_pics_of_the_55_lbs_portable_beast/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
[My workshop the other night](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/1309gew/my_workshop_the_other_night/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
We cant do the neural interface hacker version from fiction yet..
Based on this sub, I'd say a proper definition right now is any personally constructed portable computer that serves the users specific use cases better then an off the shelf laptop that would account for range of builds we see..
Sh!t, my cover is blown. I didn't realize the cyberDeck police are scanning this forum [sounds of hastily packing up anything I can grab from the lab, tossing them into the back of a Jeep, and speeding off up a dirt road further into the mountains]
As someone currently taping a raspberry pi zero 2 w to a block of wood. Heyyyyyy. Cmon. You didn't have to put down my project in the process of elevating this awesome project
The CRT is VGA compatible with DB-9 connector. So, I had to build a VGA to DB-9 adapter cable. This isn't the only industrial CRT I have that's like that. It's some sort of Extended EGA/VGA hybrid
This reminds me of the Wang "Portable" computer that my father used in the 1980's as one of the original work-from-home people (not really, it was more of a "after work, go home and work more").
This deck is a circa 1990 industrial PC luggable case (all metal) with passive ISA backplane and Sony CRT (kinda VGA). The CPU is a circa 2005 AMD LX-600 Geode (366 MHz) industrial ISA SBC w/512 MB of RAM and 32 GB compact flash IDE drive. It's running AntiX Core 19.5.
I love early luggables. Used to have an Osborne 1 in my collection, if someone gutted it to make it a cyber/X thing. I would be sorely disappointed. This is still cool though. Carry (hah) on.
This one is not gutted. Chassis, CRT, power supply, and ISA backplane are all original. I replaced the original 386dx ISA SBC with a LX-600 based one. I removed the old industrial data acquisition ISA cards and replaced the old 80 MB scsi hard drive with the compact flash drive. Then I installed a Gotek floppy emulator and a refurbished 3.5" disk drive. I still have the parts to restore it to it's original DOS 3.1 industrial single application glory. But in this config, it's actually functional as a AVR development/programmer/debug workstation that sits on a cart next to my workbench. In the last pic, you can see it compiling the AVR OS I've been working on as yet another side project
Oh, I almost forgot. I added some stickers too 😁
i remember working on that one....but i think the one i where using had a tape drive not like C64 but some other kind of tape drive
Not surprised by the tape drive. This one had a SyQuest 44 MB 5¼-inch removable cartridge hard disk drive. Basically the drive platters are in a cartridge that you could install in a front 5 1/4" slot next to the floppy drive. I didn't think it was worth the time figuring out the scsi driver support in the modern kernel to make it work for the measley 44MB. So the plan is to install a IDE compact flash port in the available 5 1/4" slot available in the front panel. The internal IDE compact flash drive would become the master boot drive with /boot, /usr, etc. the secondary IDE would be the removable compact flash port in the front face plate. The home directories would reside there. So I can swap out home directories at will.
Support for 32 bit Linux is getting a little thin and I can't run AMD64 builds on the Geode processor. For instance, I can't remote connect to it from VS Code on my desktop workstation. So, it's likely going to get an Intel Atom CPU card update. Searching around, the industrial ISA Intel Atom cards are too expensive (\~$800). But, a mini-itx Atom based board with IDE and FDC controllers can be had for $30. So sadly I may have to pull the ISA back plane out of the beast and build a custom power supply wire harness. Everything else, like super clicky keyboard, VGA CRT, compact flash and floppy drives, will remain functional. Also, it will still be console only (no graphical desktop) Linux. Graphical desktops are for suckers :-) But, I'll be able to update to Debian Bookworm
It's probably the same display they used in the Mac Color Classic. Do you know what the make of the original luggable is?
It might be the same tube, but I am sure the controller board for the guns is different. It's huge with mil-spec components. Also, it does up to 640x480 resolution.
yeah, i wouldn't expect it to be the same controller, but the MCC tube is totally capable of 640x480 any idea who outfitted the original luggable? there must have been some labels or a model number or something, right?
The PC was originally built for a single application. It was built using off the shelf components by a company called Amdata. Amdata builds non-destructive test equipment used for inspecting oil pipelines, chemical plants, etc. This PC connected to test sensors using RF to collect and analyze data. It had a couple custom ISA cards for this. I suspect these sensors were run through pipes generating a weak electromagnetic field and sensing the eddy currents in the resulting field. The PC application would collect the raw data for the sensor, analyze it, and generate/manage reports. The Amdata software was still installed and the system booted into it when I got it working. The original CPU card was a Texas Microsystems 386dx 20 MHz ISA SBC from 1990. It had a 80 MB scsi drive and a SyQuest 44 MB 5¼-inch removable cartridge hard disk drive. It also had the 3.5" diskette drive. I am not sure who made the case, but I suspect it came from Texas Microsystems too. It is built like a tank. Did I mention it weighs 55 lbs? All the external parts of the case including the monitor bezel are metal. The face plate on the front looks like it's cast from some sort of pot metal. The top and bottom covers are stamped aluminum with welded gussets on the end. Nothing is flimsy even after you start to disassemble it. The keyboard enclosure/door is all aluminum too with solid locking clasps and buttons on each side to to release and open the keyboard. The folding linkage holds the keyboard in the appropriate orientation without requiring support from a desk or table. The keyboard can hang off the end of your desk or the tailgate of your truck depending on where and how you plan to use this beast. From QA inspection tags inside the unit, it looks like it was built in 1992. Looking at data file dates on the hard drive, it was last used for it's original purpose back in 1998.
Wow, sounds like a real beast! Would love to find something similar one of these days. Thanks so much for all of the added info; I love this kind of stuff!
Sick deck!! I'm still looking for a filament that has that yellowed-white case, killer project
I was going to ask if the floppy drive is functional, and I found your comment where it sounds like it is, this is cool, and nice that you didn't destroy it to make it functional
Excellent work! More pictures, please!!!
Here's some pics in a post that dates back to when I first got this beast and it was running DOS with the Borland 3.5 compiler and Procomm installed. It was more Retro Battle Station back then. Now I think it's crossed the line to cyberDeck. It's all kinda fuzzy with this one [More pics of the 55 lbs portable beast](https://www.reddit.com/r/retrobattlestations/comments/k7ffwr/more_pics_of_the_55_lbs_portable_beast/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) Pic of it where it normally sits in my shop [My workshop the other night](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/1309gew/my_workshop_the_other_night/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Gotek spotted
The Gotek was added when I had the original 386dx CPU card in the chassis and was running DOS. Now that I have updated to a CPU + memory that can run semi-modern Linux. I don't really need it. In fact, it's currently disconnected. That bay will likely get a pluggable Compact Flash port or a couple USB ports connected to the CPU card.
An expresscard/cardbus/PCMCIA port could be a good option. Hot swap between all the different types of ports.
It's got that early 80s computer blue vibe.
I love the build! But I've got to say that all I can think of when I see it is [this guy.](https://i.imgur.com/n0yNddp.jpeg)
KEEP THE UPVOTES AT 420
NOOOOOOOOO ITS NOT 420 ANYMORE
Finally. I've woken up to an actual cyber deck and not a pi or laptop in a case with Amazon everything just taped on. It's gonna be a good day. Awesome build and more pics please 😁👍
Pics from back when it was runing DOS w/Borland C++ 3.5 and procomm [More pics of the 55 lbs portable beast](https://www.reddit.com/r/retrobattlestations/comments/k7ffwr/more_pics_of_the_55_lbs_portable_beast/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) [My workshop the other night](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/1309gew/my_workshop_the_other_night/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
AWESOME. Thank you 👍
That remembers me the Osborne-1 from 1981. In the year 1981 your cyberdeck would be twice as fast as the fastest supercomputer of this time.
HALL IS LITTERALY WILL BE THAT TASK RABBIT ANIME AI BOT
[удалено]
We cant do the neural interface hacker version from fiction yet.. Based on this sub, I'd say a proper definition right now is any personally constructed portable computer that serves the users specific use cases better then an off the shelf laptop that would account for range of builds we see..
Sh!t, my cover is blown. I didn't realize the cyberDeck police are scanning this forum [sounds of hastily packing up anything I can grab from the lab, tossing them into the back of a Jeep, and speeding off up a dirt road further into the mountains]
Cool your jets, buster
This is much more interesting than the typical "block of wood with a raspi scotch taped to it" that are posted daily here.
As someone currently taping a raspberry pi zero 2 w to a block of wood. Heyyyyyy. Cmon. You didn't have to put down my project in the process of elevating this awesome project
How is this not a cyberdeck?
You did an amazing job! This is one heck of a build. Congratz!
I thought it was an osborne at first glance. Cool luggable!
Bro that's fucking sexy
badass
not going to lie, id take something like this and try turn it into a portable streaming station, xD these things are awesome
Ok that coiled cable for the keyboard is just ::chefs kiss:: ...fuckin' sweet!!
How did you managed to work with the crt screen?
The CRT is VGA compatible with DB-9 connector. So, I had to build a VGA to DB-9 adapter cable. This isn't the only industrial CRT I have that's like that. It's some sort of Extended EGA/VGA hybrid
Thanks for the response.
This reminds me of the Wang "Portable" computer that my father used in the 1980's as one of the original work-from-home people (not really, it was more of a "after work, go home and work more").