ITX-Llama Batch 2 Update: Factory Orders, Improvements, and What’s Next!
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Introduction
Hello, Retro Dreams community!
We’re thrilled to share some exciting updates about the ITX-Llama, our cutting-edge motherboard designed for retro PC gaming enthusiasts. After weeks of rigorous testing and fine-tuning, we’ve reached a major milestone: the big factory order has officially been placed! 🏭
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the improvements we’ve made, the updated timeline, and what’s on the horizon for the ITX-Llama project.
The Latest Enhancements
During testing, we identified a few areas for improvement to make the ITX-Llama even better. Here’s what we’ve upgraded:
- ⚡ Power Rail Stability: Improved connections to the Pi Zero 2 and Wavetable headers for enhanced stability.
- 🎛️ Wavetable Compatibility: Adjusted fitment to ensure a perfect match for the X8GS Wavetable module.
- 🔧 mt32pi Hardware Controls: Increased flexibility for button connections, supporting both Serdaco's front panel controls and individual buttons/rotary encoders.
- 💾 Virtual Floppy Disk Updates: Added drivers for SATA Optical and USB Optical drives, along with several additional tools.
We’re also exploring potential BIOS enhancements, and we’ll share more details as they become available!
Timeline Update
We know many of you are eager to get your hands on the ITX-Llama, and we’re just as excited to deliver it! Due to the upcoming Chinese New Year, the start of fulfillment is now estimated for February 2025. We appreciate your patience as we ensure the highest quality for every product.
Hardware Compatibility Notes
Here’s what we’ve learned during our extensive testing process:
- 🔄 SATA to IDE Adapter: The CableCC adapters have performed well and are recommended.
- 🕹️ AGP Cards: Unfortunately, Nvidia cards (including Riva TNT) are not compatible with Windows 98 in our testing. If you plan to run Windows 98, we recommend avoiding Nvidia cards for now.
- 🎵 Wavetables: The X8GS module works seamlessly with the ITX-Llama and is highly recommended.
- 🖥️ Case News: Stay tuned for updates about the official mini-ITX Llama case—we’ll have more to share soon!
What’s Next?
While we wait for the production process to wrap up, we’re shifting our focus to:
- 🕹️ Software Testing: Testing more games to ensure compatibility and performance.
- 📝 User Documentation: Creating detailed guides to help you make the most of your ITX-Llama.
Final Thoughts
The ITX-Llama is more than a motherboard—it’s a celebration of retro gaming. We’re incredibly grateful for your support and patience as we work to bring this project to life.
If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, feel free to reach out in our Discord group or leave a comment below. We can’t wait to deliver these amazing boards to your doorstep!
Thank you for being part of the Retro Dreams journey.
Stay tuned for more updates, and happy retro gaming!
Sincerely,
The Retro Dreams Team