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Panasonic fs-a1 vs fs-a1mkII or fs-a1f

Por gregg

Supporter (4)

Imagen del gregg

02-03-2023, 08:32

Hello everyone,
I am planning to buy my first MSX computer. I decided to buy MSX2 and do some upgrades - add ram, upgrade to msx2+, add some IDE, fm pac, maybe Moonsound or v9990. I am mostly looking for Japanese models, as I live in US, so that would be the most convenient - NTSC and similar voltage.
I am planning to buy Panasonic FS-A1. Is there any reason I should rather buy FS-A1mkII of FS-A1f? (except floppy drive in FS-A1f)
I checked eBay, and there is a lot of cheap Panasonic FS-A1, when FS-A1mkII or FS-A1f are much more expensive and rare. On the other hand, I see a lot of people recommend rather FS-A1f or FS-A1mkII. I also see much more online tutorials and upgrade instructions for FS-A1f or FS-A1mkII.
Looking at specification they are quite similar. They even all have the same chipset S1985, so I can e.g. use 512kB mapper in it. So is there any reason to rather buy FS-A1f or FS-A1mkII?

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Por sdsnatcher73

Prophet (3963)

Imagen del sdsnatcher73

02-03-2023, 11:13

There are 2 main differences between FS-A1 on the one hand and FS-A1mk2 on the other hand:

  1. Most obviously is the keyboard. The FS-A1 does not have a numerical keypad on the right whilst the FS-A1mk2 and FS-A1F do. Only game where this puts FS-A1 at a disadvantage is Snatcher (in which at some point you need to aim using the numpad, but it is also possible to use some regular keys albeit that is less intuitive).
  2. Secondly the FS-A1 does not have the HIC1 board whilst the FS-A1mk2 and FS-A1F do. The HIC1 board is infamous for its leaking capacitors. So get a machine where these have been replaced and the machine is working, otherwise replacement of the capacitors is urgently needed and even the HIC1 board may have been damaged beyond repair.

Por sdsnatcher73

Prophet (3963)

Imagen del sdsnatcher73

02-03-2023, 11:37

Oh and 1 advantage that the FS-A1F has over the FS-A1 and FS-A1mk2 is the built in power supply.

Por gregg

Supporter (4)

Imagen del gregg

02-03-2023, 19:01

Thanks a lot for detailed answer. I think I will buy FS-A1 then. Price and lack of HIC1 board is a big advantage, and I think I can deal with lack of numerical keypad, even when Snatcher is one of my favorite games Smile