Dedicated Chess Computers

I would enjoy some dialog on dedicated chess computers.  I don't enjoy playing on a lap top and wonder if others feel the same way.  I have lots of questions regarding dedicated computers, so if anyone is interested in discussing, perhaps this thread would provide us the opportunity. 

To begin with, I love Mephisto.  The quality of worksmanship made in Germany is amazing and it seems that units that are 20-25 years old go for good money.  This is particularly interesting when one considers that a 25 year old IBM or other such computer isn't of value. 

Regarding Mephisto (Novag, Fidelity, etc), what setting enables the approximate highest level of play (outside of "analyze" endless time mode)?  

I play a lot against "Polgar" setting the game for 30 minutes at particular ELO rating and since returning to chess, raise it 10 or 20 ELO points at a time.  

I use Milano as portable and it is approximately the same ELO level as Polgar.  I hope to obtain one of the higher level modules one day.  I love what Ruud Martin has done with Phoenix, but the price is prohibitive.  His quest for the high level appears to have been inspired by the quality of the Mephisto models and has done great work in setting up the new system.  

I look forward to discussion on these and other topics by other fans of the dedicated chess computer. 

Peter

I just bought a Mephisto Excellence "Muenchen" computer. Now I need to learn about modules. As a beginner, it's not about their ELO rating. Bought a Mephisto 2 "brick" as well (paid 215 / 29 Euros shipped).

It would be interesting to find out if Ruud can deliver on economies of scale. Say 1,000 serious players were to order the REvelation II module, would its price come down by half?

We tend to underestimate the long-term and overestimate the short-term. Spreading such payments over say 24 months would mean maybe $ 110 a month.

TBH, I don't have a clue about DGT board either - but like the idea of a self-contained chess computer. Maybe one say there can be some hidden black box provide the computing power running a $ 149 netbook.

Chris

I just bought 2 Mephistos (Modular and Exclusive) that have transformers from Germany.  Do I need a simple adapter or do I need to buy new transformers?  If so, do they both use the same transformer and which one?

thanks.

Hi Guys! I have a Mephisto Nigel Short. Bought it in 1996 when I was an undergrad in the UK.

European AC/DC transformers run on 220 V, DO NOT USE them in the States.

Simply read the output data off the label and buy a replacement in local shop. I'm guessing you need 8 V with minimum 250 mA output (it's ok to use a more powerful one like 500 mA or more, but don't fiddle with Volts).

-Izmet

(http://fekali.com/collection)

Thanks very much Izmet.  That's just the info I needed.  

You will probably have trouble finding 8 V adapters, as 9 V is much more common. Hegener & Glaser later switched to 9 V with theirs and I believe all their earlier modules will tolerate that too.

You are safe with this one and equivalents:

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-replacement-power-supply-adaptor/dp/B00GQWNYIG

-Izmet

Yeah! Dedicated chess computers are irresistible toys and lots of fun.

In the absence of a human to play some nice slow chess with playing a completely quiet dedicated is more relaxing and enjoyable to me than playing a PC or a phone or whatever.
It's also psychologically easier to get to know such a unit and see it as an entity that's playing chess with you to all it's might instead of a PC that's a thousand times stronger and just trouncing you on the side. 

The problem is most dedicated units are pretty weak..
Hopefully some manufacturers will remain and occasionally pump out a new affordable model with more modern technology.
Because I'm definitely in the market for a fun small simple unit like dedicated computers of before, <100 Euro's and playing master strength..

Till then my old friend the Saitek turbo advanced trainer has the responsibility to stubbornly play on as it has been doing for me for the past 15 years. Him and me have seen many hundreds of slow games and taught me a lot.
Now I have sadly outgrown it but I still give him a fresh pack of batteries every year and I still try out an opening line with him once in a while.

Recently at a nearby dumpstore waiting for my car to be fixed at the toy corner in the store, the only corner of interest, I came across a box reading Millennium orion intelligent chess 8 games in 1. People must of not known what it was as it was priced 3 euro 50 and so easily worth the gamble. In shiny condition it must of only left the box before for the previous owner to decide he did not like chess. Certainly looks the business but sadly it plays chess roughly at the level of my Commodore64 and the other games it can play it does not do much better. But one of my nephews will soon get their first electronic chess friend.