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| Apple Touch Top ][ |
Posted by: Callan on 2025-06-27 09:27:07
I was given this Frankenstein this weekend, and can't seem to find anything on it. It seems to be something made videx. Its a strange beast. Besides the obvious controls on the cover, It also has some other weird stuff inside. It has a videx 40/80 column card in it (not weird), but it has an additional board attached to the keyboard with a db9 for the membrane switch along the bottom. It also has little toggle switches on the right side pertruding out. I got a duo disk with it that had additional controls on it. I Was wondering if this was something they made avaialble for purchase, or was it some sort of demo box. All the roms have hand written labels with description, rom size, date and some with chcksum. |
Posted by: MOS8_030 on 2025-06-27 10:30:05
Video graphics generator? Controls for CNC? |
Posted by: volvo242gt on 2025-06-27 11:22:37
That is an oddball. I do remember seeing a ][ Plus in an ad (I think for Kensington and their System Saver) that had the membrane buttons at the bottom edge of the lid, but it still had the stock badge and no other buttons & switches. Nor did it have the additional vents and lid-mounted speaker. Looks like it does need a language card in slot 0, though. |
Posted by: Callan on 2025-06-27 11:42:34
Yeah...I've never seen anything like it before. I haven't had a chance to boot it yet (wanted to go through p/s before power up). Wanted to see if anyone had any insight into it first. The joystick and buttons just go through the 16 pin dip gameport, so they should work fine. I believe the membrane switches are probably mapped through the keyboard encoder, so they should work fine too. I am, however, Intrigued to see what changes they've made to the roms. |
Posted by: okto on 2026-05-03 17:04:14
Image those ROMs! |
Posted by: Callan on 2026-05-03 20:49:45
Will do. I'll send you a copy If you'd like. |
Posted by: SportBikePilot on 2026-05-25 09:54:34
This is a Microstand Touch Top II gaming device. It was designed to make the Apple II more like an arcade game setup. Basically a fancy joystick.
More information: https://www.retromags.com/magazines...n-with-computers-and-games-volume-1-number-9/
I'd be interested to see more photos of the DuoDisk and toggle switch arrangement, etc.
I'd also be interested to see what happens when you power it on. I wonder if this was some sort of demo system for some arcade-type arrangement or whatnot.
Chris |
Posted by: waynestewart on 2026-05-25 15:58:08
It’s a Videx Function Strip that connects to a Videx Enhancer ][ keyboard encoder. |
Posted by: SportBikePilot on 2026-05-26 09:03:08
Aha! OK. So the OP has two fancy devices on that unit! Very cool. |
Posted by: Callan on 2026-05-26 09:57:58
I'd be interested to see more photos of the DuoDisk and toggle switch arrangement, etc.
I can get you some pics of it, but I don't have a Duo disk cable, so I have no way to test it (as of yet).
I'd also be interested to see what happens when you power it on. I wonder if this was some sort of demo system for some arcade-type arrangement or whatnot.
I've wanted to go through this and get it up and running for a while (too many projects). I have vcfsw coming up this weekend, but when I get back I'll get into it. I'll make sure to get the roms backed up and repair./ test it. I'll keep you apprised. |
Posted by: SportBikePilot on 2026-05-26 10:15:41
Apple Rescue of Denver has DuoDisk cables on the cheap, I just bought one and it is of excellent quality.
https://applerescueofdenver.com/pro...ppy-disk-drives-apple-ii/duodisk-drive-cable/
If you see David Lovett (Usagi Electric) out there at VCFSW, you might tell him it's a damn shame he makes himself so inaccessible without having to pay for it. I had some PDP/11 parts I wanted to GIVE him, but there is no reasonable way to get a hold of him. Too late now, I gave them to someone else. |
Posted by: Callan on 2026-05-26 10:40:13
Apple Rescue of Denver has DuoDisk cables on the cheap, I just bought one and it is of excellent quality.
Appreciate the heads up! I'd been kicking around the idea of just making one, but that looks like the way to go! Thanks!
If you see David Lovett (Usagi Electric) out there at VCFSW, you might tell him it's a damn shame he makes himself so inaccessible without having to pay for it. I had some PDP/11 parts I wanted to GIVE him, but there is no reasonable way to get a hold of him. Too late now, I gave them to someone else.
I don't know him personally, but had a chance to talk to him last year. He seems like a great guy. He's was very approachable and was super excited about what he was displaying. You can tell his love for these older systems is truely genuine. I wouldn't have thought he would have set it up that way on purpose.. I'll make sure to let him know. |
Posted by: SportBikePilot on 2026-05-26 11:17:59
Appreciate the heads up! I'd been kicking around the idea of just making one, but that looks like the way to go! Thanks! You bet! Yeah they are much cheaper than the ones on eBay. And it helps keep ARoD in business. I got mine in just a couple of days!
Chris |
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