The PI 1541 is a modern cycle-exact emulator for the venerable Commodore 1541 disk drive. It emulates everything: the 6502 CPU, the two 6522 VIAs… it’ll even run code designed to run inside a real 1541. This means that things like fast loaders that make use of the computer inside the 1541 will work on the Pi 1541. Which is good.
It also means that unless you have some kind of fast loader, be it JiffyDOS or whatever, it’ll be slow. As slow as a real 1541, and we all know how slow that is!
But arguably that’s a good thing.
This is an open source project by Steve White, and the project page is here: https://cbm-pi1541.firebaseapp.com You can buy fully complete units from a variety of sources – just supply your own Raspberry Pi 3 (or Pi Zero) – assuming you can find one! There are also kits available with all the components ready to assemble (you’ll still need to find your own pi).
You can also build your own from the wiring diagrams on the project page, either on breadboard or creating your own PCB, Or you can order one of the shared project PCBs from our sponsor, PCB Way, with prices from just $5. They can even add the SMD components. This is the exact same PCB as I build in this video: https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/Pi1541_IO_Adapter__Rev_4.html