Handheld CPC

[EgoTrip]

If this can be done with a ZX Spectrum





Surely it can be done with a CPC? It would be awesome to have a handheld CPC.

[Bryce]

Yeah, sure it's possible, but it would need a complete new PCB and use SMD parts to fit everything in.

Bryce.

[EgoTrip]

Thats your next project. I look forward to seeing all the documentation.

[Bryce]

Of course, I'm just waiting for days to be expanded to 78 hours and weekends to be increased to 6 days, then I'll have enough time for something like this

Bryce.

[mr_lou]

Excuse me. Get in line EgoTrip. 

Bryce has a "Texas Instrument TI-99/4a multicartridge" on his ToDo list first. 

[Optimus]

Hehe, the current PCB might be too big for it.
But my dream would be a portable CPC.
We discussed it with Antitec years ago, he was looking for a fitting laptop case, but then of course we forgot it.
But it would be awesome and also great if I visit demoparties, don't have a car, do not won't to carry big monitor on the airport/train.

[TFM]

I agree with you. A portable CPC would be great. But a handheld is just stupid. What's the gain of a mini screen, so small that one can't read. A portable CPC on the other hand with a well sized screen, yes that would be something 

[Lazy Dude]

interesting idea, although I agree with Optimus & TFM it does at least give a little encouragement to those people that have the retro bug and would like to get involved in a neat project. I will be hunting down the first parts of that build video to check it out.
Think this thread should be titled 'honey I shrunk my Speccy' 

[steve]

What if you were to mount an LCD screen on a GX4000, have a right-angled connector to have the cartridge behind the screen, put switches beneath where your fingers would be when holding the unit, and fit batteries inside the case.

[Lazy Dude]

GX4000's too *new* for me! but if the early CPCs are anything to go by then there will be tons of spare space inside and on the case to do stuff to it!

[steve]

GX4000's too *new* for me! but if the early CPCs are anything to go by then there will be tons of spare space inside and on the case to do stuff to it!

Unfortunately it will probably require a new case top to hold the screen and support the cartridge.

[Munchausen]

I've had idle thoughts for a while about a GX4000 board with a laptop keyboard, LCD, HxC and perhaps an xmem if you could find room. A huge amount of work though!

[Carnivius]

I agree with you. A portable CPC would be great. But a handheld is just stupid. What's the gain of a mini screen, so small that one can't read. A portable CPC on the other hand with a well sized screen, yes that would be something 

Depends how small a screen we're talking.  I've no problems reading text on the CPC emulator I have on my PSP.

[mr_lou]

Depends how small a screen we're talking.  I've no problems reading text on the CPC emulator I have on my PSP.

Also consider how many people had and still have cellphones with a display of 240x320 pixels, and the many games that runs on these small displays.
Hasn't been a problem so far.

[ralferoo]

I went to Ben Heck's talk at emfcamp and hung after  afterwards to see the portable speccy and ask him a few questions. The build of this Spectrum was very good indeed, probably about 50% bigger than a gameboy, the screen was about double the size and the keyboard was made up of small microswitches. It really was pretty cool!

[CraigsBar]

Also consider how many people had and still have cellphones with a display of 240x320 pixels, and the many games that runs on these small displays.
Hasn't been a problem so far.

A Netbook sized (10 inch screen) portable 6128plus using would be awesome But WHO is going to cut up a working gx4000 or plus to get the asic? You cannot have mine for this project no!

[Gryzor]

Surely it can be done with a CPC? It would be awesome to have a handheld CPC.

but... have you compared the PCBs?

[robcfg]

We can always design a new pcb with everything smd but the Gate Array and see how big it is.

The cost down pcb is already quite small...

[ralferoo]

Ben Heck's PCB wasn't the original speccy PCB (which is just over double the size of his portable). He worked from the schematics and made a bunch of equivalent "PCBs" (actually, hand soldered stripboard!) but used the original components.

[Bryce]

To do it properly you'd have to do a completely new PCB. Use a CPLD to reduce the logic, a single 64K/512K RAM IC and only use original Z80, Gate-array, AY and CRTC. The Keyboard should be proper buttons though, not micro-switches. I'd also integrate a MegaFlash/X-mem and HxC into the same PCB. For the screen I'd go for something like this: 7" (17,78 cm) Display-Set LS-7, HDMI/DVI/VGA/CVBS - Bauelemente / Bauteile -
It's 7in and easily readable for a CPC screen. For my CPC Mini screen:  Why I still haven't done Gryzors Atari ST HxC mod. I used a 4.3in screen. It's fine for games, but a bit of a strain for typing.

As far as power is concerned, I'd go for a single 12V input with internal 5V regulator.

Bryce.

[EgoTrip]

Seems like you have it all planned out, Bryce. When you gonna start it?

[Bryce]

On the 27th of Nevermber

Bryce.

[Munchausen]

I'd prefer a CPC laptop!

[Bryce]

Yeah, I'd love to cram a CPC into a Psion 7 or a Psion MC400 A HP Jornada 720 wouldn't be bad either, but it would be a tight squeeze and the screen dimensions are all wrong.

Bryce.

[CraigsBar]

Yeah, I'd love to cram a CPC into a Psion 7 or a Psion MC400 A HP Jornada 720 wouldn't be bad either, but it would be a tight squeeze and the screen dimensions are all wrong.

Bryce.

that's all right, use a sharp hacksaw to trim the LCD screen to 4x3 ratio and mount some nice stereo speakers in the gap either side of it in the mounting. This way you can fit a playcity inside as well. And it will sound good. ;-)

Craig