An Atari computer enthusiast is planning to produce a compact computer dubbed the MiniST. Yes, you’ve guessed it, the Atari ST 16-bit home computer is getting some mini-love at last, albeit in a very limited initial batch of five units at “approximately 350 euros” (~$400). Information shared by Dennis Shaw in the Atari ST and STe users Facebook group indicates that this cute black TKL encased computer will be powered by a Tang Nano FPGA running the MiSTeryNano core.
Shaw makes it clear in his post that “all the materials are open source and can be freely obtained.” So the makers out there with modernized Atari ST yearnings and the ability can make something similar with the open source components linked below.
For example, the 3D printer files for the Creative Commons case design chosen by Shaw are available under the moniker Atapi STx. That particular case is designed for Raspberry Pi use, but Shaw has modified and shared the mods for this FPGA-powered ST computing solution.
Under the hood (or inside the wedge), you will find a motherboard featuring the Tang Nano FPGA, running the MiSTeryNano core (GitHub project link, ported from MiSTer). Like the FPGA Amigas, C64s, and other retro remakes, the FPGA raises the vintage computing experience above and beyond the use of an emulator.
Shaw indicates that the MiniST, thanks to the aforementioned MiSTeryNano core, offers a “cycle exact 8 MHz 68000 CPU,” with complete chipset, multiple Atari TOS ROM versions, color and monochrome video modes via HDMI, YM2149 and STE DMA sound via HDMI, Blitter chip, ASCI hard disk support (Atari's SCSI version), and the all-important MIDI via physical MIDI-IN and OUT ports. It has a mouse, keyboard, and joystick mapped to USB.
We also read that this project uses an RP2040 microcontroller “as a companion chip for OSD, USB,” and more.
Moving onto the scale of this production run, Shaw makes it clear that producing a MiniST is rather time-consuming, as “it takes an awful lot of time to print, sand, and paint them.” Thus, only five fully assembled, ready to plug and go, MiniST machines are planned to be sold as an initial batch. Perhaps the maker should invest in one of our best 3D printer choices to boost production…
The project seems wildly popular on the Atari ST and STe users' Facebook group. So we hope Shaw, or another enterprising individual/group, can look at doing a Commodore 64 Ultimate-style job with the ST. Commodore computers seem to have got a lot more love with Mini (and full-sized) remakes, and we think it is about time for the ST to be represented in the mid-2020s with its own modernized, reimagined retro computer.
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