MSX External Slot Expander pre-order

Technobytes, known for their new hardware for classic computers like our beloved MSX system, has put up a pre-order page for their upcoming slot expander. As the Slot Expander project is expensive to be produced, they need a minimum quantity of sales to be viable.

Price: US$ 139,00. Shipment Prediction: February / March 2017.

4 Expanded slots that can fit even large cartridges
60cm buffered flat cable
Exclusive plastic cabinet (in development)
5V External power supply (included)
You can easily disable a slot (you don't have to remove the cartridge). Each slot has one key and one information LED
"DC IN" Status LED: The main board and the cartridges are protected against incorrect voltage (low or high), any problem with the power supply, even if you forgot to connect one. The DC IN Status Led will blink in any of these cases;
High quality board

Check the Technobytes pre-order page

Update 16 December 2017: The slot expanders are currently in testing phase, and Technobytes is currently expecting everything to be shipped before Christmas.

Reacties (56)

Van sd_snatcher

Prophet (3647)

31-12-2016, 12:16

It's worth mentioning that this slot expander is a reproduction of the famous NEOS EX-4, which is sought after for it's excellent quality and long data cable. The per-slot LEDs and disable switches were a nice addition by Tecnobytes.

The final product will have a plastic case made by QuickPlast, the same company that made the cases of the Zemmix-BR computers. Tecnobytes said that they'll soon publish some 3D previews of the case so people can have an idea of how the finished product will look.

Van enribar

Paragon (1206)

31-12-2016, 14:14

I can't post easely on the official page so I write here.
I'm ready to order but shippings are not clearly exposed, where to find them?

Van djh1697

Paragon (1698)

31-12-2016, 14:25

nice

Van rjp

Master (193)

31-12-2016, 15:49

The price (US$ 139) includes international shipping.

Van rjp

Master (193)

31-12-2016, 15:53

BTW, they hope to have a plastic case soon, in order to protect all components.

Van aurix72

Resident (37)

31-12-2016, 15:58

For the shipping you have to add 30$ more.
It is quite expensive, but worth it !!

Van sd_snatcher

Prophet (3647)

31-12-2016, 16:51

rjp wrote:

The price (US$ 139) includes international shipping.

Are you sure? Because the product page states "Paypal fees & Shipping not included".

Quote:

It is quite expensive, but worth it !!

And, if you consider that the original EX-4 was priced at ¥29,800 some 30 years ago, and this one costs ¥16,264, maybe it doesn't sound that expensive.

Van Albert Pieter Dotinga

Resident (39)

31-12-2016, 19:23

Looks nicer than my 8 slot expander from pablotronic

Van msd

Paragon (1513)

31-12-2016, 22:27

Is it designed to work only at 3.58Mhz? Or can it also handle higher speeds?

Van djh1697

Paragon (1698)

01-01-2017, 22:12

@Albert I would say that you 8 slot expander is probably more useful though?

Van Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3571)

02-01-2017, 15:20

Can I buy only the board?

Van Colemu

Hero (542)

05-01-2017, 00:00

I've ordered mine!!

Van rogerio.belarmino

Expert (77)

08-01-2017, 13:27

Thanks !!!

Van luppie

Paladin (869)

08-01-2017, 13:36

I also ordered mine.
I only received a Paypal receipt, Do we also get a confirmation that the order is successful ?

Van rogerio.belarmino

Expert (77)

09-01-2017, 16:22

Confirm your email on paypal please.

Van rjp

Master (193)

09-01-2017, 20:07

Oh dammit, I was wrong... I thought they included international shipping 'cause there were some products which S&H were included. My bad.

Van rogerio.belarmino

Expert (77)

10-01-2017, 22:40

Confirmed everything ok Luppie !!!

Van msxtrd

Champion (271)

11-01-2017, 12:27

Ordered.

Van luppie

Paladin (869)

14-01-2017, 11:10

When will the 'goal' be updated on the Technobytes site ?

Van Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3571)

14-01-2017, 17:18

I still haven't got a reply on whether I can only buy the board...

Van msxtrd

Champion (271)

15-01-2017, 13:33

Do I get some confirmation on payment?

Van max_iwamoto

Hero (628)

17-01-2017, 05:30

I would like to order if they are being produced... But so far on the website, the goal is not reached... Is there any update on that???

Van -Neo-

Champion (396)

28-01-2017, 13:06

@max_iwamoto
If you want to order it then order it. If everybody is waiting for the goal to be reached before ordering the goal will never be reached. I just ordered mine.

Van Mr.Mouse

Expert (66)

03-02-2017, 23:18

A question, just how does this work? Of course, you can insert multiple modules, but are those true additional slots? Or do you have to select which slot the MSX will see as the "active" one? Suppose I have an FM PAC in one, and a MEGAFLASHROM in another, I think I will have to select one to be active before powering on, correct? There will be no "run-time" switching? Like, I start a demo that will use FM PAC from the MEGAFLASHROM and then quickly switch to the FM PAC. Just making sure I understand before ordering.

Van cklayman

Champion (294)

22-02-2017, 15:52

Ordered mine a while back but now cannot get to the page which showed the 'goal'. Will the unit be produced?

Van msxtrd

Champion (271)

22-02-2017, 22:00

Yes, it will.

http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/

Van sd_snatcher

Prophet (3647)

24-02-2017, 22:41

\o/

Van giangiacomo.zaffini

Champion (267)

25-03-2017, 04:53

There's a list of confirmed pieces for some customers on the tecnobytes' site. Can somebody order these days or not?

Van rogerio.belarmino

Expert (77)

16-05-2017, 03:18

Slot Expander News !!!!

http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/2017/05/slot-expander-news.html

Van alexito

Paladin (761)

16-05-2017, 09:39

Great!
Let me know when the orders are open.

Van luppie

Paladin (869)

16-05-2017, 19:41

Orders are open.

Van rogerio.belarmino

Expert (77)

17-05-2017, 10:50

Orders in http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/p/paypal-safer-easier-way-to-pa...

Van Grauw

Ascended (10721)

17-05-2017, 11:53

Quote:

- Exclusive plastic cabinet (in development);

Nice!

Van libero

Resident (45)

22-05-2017, 09:23

ordered mine

Van rogerio.belarmino

Expert (77)

21-07-2017, 21:05

Slot Expander - News

http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/2017/07/slot-expander-news_21.html

Van rogerio.belarmino

Expert (77)

05-09-2017, 23:54

MSX SLOT EXPANDER - First units on the way...

http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/2017/09/msx-slot-expander-first...

Van Avkooi

Expert (101)

07-11-2017, 18:23

Did anybody recieve his/her slot expander from Tecnobytes? I ordered and paid mine in March and didn't hear a thing. I did sent several emails for the delivery date, but I recieved no answer until now. I hope they are still in business...

Van libero

Resident (45)

09-11-2017, 14:39

any update about other units on the way?
Thanks

Van Mumbly

Expert (116)

16-11-2017, 14:21

Yes, I have also ordered somewhere in March, and ... nothing, it's indeed long, maybe it takes time to do it, I'm ready to accept to receive the components and assemble it myself if it needs (I'm not joking).
I'm so desperate by this that, I'm currently investigating how to build a slot extender myself in order to make coexisting opl4 + v9990 (pure IO accesses).

Van Pencioner

Scribe (1549)

16-11-2017, 18:31

@Mumbly: i suggest you to contact guys and ask if they could send you the components for manual assembly, it doesn't hurt to ask

Van Mumbly

Expert (116)

16-11-2017, 20:15

@Pencioner: indeed, mail sent

Van Parn

Paladin (833)

17-11-2017, 10:02

I got mine. See it here:

Works like a charm and looks even prettier than I expected. I'm quite fond of the little details, like connectors both in front and in the back of the expander, with eject tabs for the flat cable. The slot openings have a good wiggle room for bigger cartridges and the expander itself is very sturdy. Please have in mind that international S&H can take a while. Also, Brazilian mail services were at strike recently.

Van Mumbly

Expert (116)

17-11-2017, 19:06

@Parn, maybe you were registered in the first batch ?

Van Parn

Paladin (833)

21-11-2017, 11:19

Yes, I believe so. Since these runs can be so limited and it can take a long time until another batch, I usually rush and try to be one of the first ones if I can.

Van Mumbly

Expert (116)

24-11-2017, 19:42

no news from them

Van Mumbly

Expert (116)

05-12-2017, 13:54

Some news, I have received from paypal that the slot expander has been sent
I was in the batch 3 apperently

Van Parn

Paladin (833)

05-12-2017, 14:15

Good news indeed! You will love it, I'm sure!

Van Avkooi

Expert (101)

05-12-2017, 20:55

Last weekend, I also received a message from PayPal that the expander has been sent to my address. :-} No other communication whatsoever...

Van Parn

Paladin (833)

15-12-2017, 14:50

They are hard at work, currently testing and sending the slot expanders:

Tecnobytes - Update

I'm crossposting this so the news can reach more of their customers.

Van Sebbeug

Champion (399)

15-12-2017, 22:27

It's too long... Really...
ordered may 17th for me...

Van iamweasel2

Paladin (709)

16-12-2017, 12:54

I bought MSX products made by Tecnobytes and I can tell you that no other MSX manufacturer gave me as good service as Tecnobytes. Their product are really good and they always deliver what they sell. You will receive your slot expander and I'm sure you will be satisfied with it.

Van Mumbly

Expert (116)

19-12-2017, 23:40

Received mine, today (ordered in March), the design is awesome,
of course it’s not cheap, but it worth it, really.

Van Giangiacomo Zaffini 2

Champion (284)