Spectrum Next

[Dr Tiger Ninestein]

'Relive the experience of opening a box and getting a brand new Spectrum that feels as revolutionary as the original back in its heyday. Plug it in and start enjoying your beautifully designed new computer'

'The Spectrum Next is a reimplementation of the original at hardware level, ensuring it runs all the software out there -- old and new. And it's also compatible with most expansions made for the ZX Spectrum'

'Faster, more memory, new video modes, SD storage, HDMI output... It takes the Speccy to a whole new level. And it's totally open source, so the community can expand, improve and take it into the future'

Seems kind of interesting.

[EgoTrip]

So this is a hardware clone, not emulated? I'd be interested in this but it is sure to be out of my price range.

[khaz]

link for the lazy
ZX Spectrum Next

[khaz]

Could be interesting, but probably over expensive with all the added fluff, DivMMC, HDMI out...

And if doesn't do RGB, I'm not interested.

[reidrac]

I think it is too soon to tell. Also the renders include the "Sinclair" branding and I'm not sure if that's possible.

We'll have to wait for details and see how the crowdfunding goes.

[TFM]

Looks like a design study, not an actually existing product. Therefore the crowd-funding.


And.. there are no details given! (How much RAM etc...).

[reidrac]

There was a presentation today at the Play event in Blackpool.

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChUQaXFXEAAgLYX.jpg:large

It is FPGA based.

[Lazy Dude]

Further to what TFM says about details, it would be nice to see more info about the group behind the project.

[khaz]

There was a presentation today at the Play event in Blackpool.

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChUQaXFXEAAgLYX.jpg:large

It is FPGA based.

Ok I'm interested. I've been trying to find a Spectrum 128k but everybody is asking stupid prices for them.

[AMSDOS]

Not sure I'd want it to be faster than a normal Spectrum, but would be interested for the type-ins.


Probably wouldn't get to Australian shores though

[chinnyhill10]

FPGA in a fancy Rick Dickinson case styled like the worst Spectrum keyboard, and all yours for a reported £180.


As a CPC owner I'm just grateful nobody see's the ££££ signs on CPC based projects to start seeing that risk free money can me made out of mugs who will fund these projects up front.

[chinnyhill10]

Ok I'm interested. I've been trying to find a Spectrum 128k but everybody is asking stupid prices for them.

Buy a grey +2. It is a 128k in a different case. Unless you have some kind of case fetish (which is what pushes the price of 128k's up).

[chinnyhill10]

Further to what TFM says about details, it would be nice to see more info about the group behind the project.

Plenty is known. From World Of Spectrum http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/discussion/52606/specnext :


* Henrique Olifiers (SpecNet director) is also co-owner of Bossa Studio, a games development company in UK.* Victor Trucco (ZX Spectrum Next hardware designer) is well-known for several retro projects, especially in Brazil (see my next post)* Fabio Belavenuto (ZX Spectrum Next hardware designer) has also co-authored other retro projects with Victor Trucco.* Rick Dickinson (ZX Spectrum Next visual designer)... he needs no introductions![/size][/font]

[||C|-|E||]

Huuum... it is not probably how I would put in the market a new version of my beloved old computer but if the people is happy...  For example, in my dreams, a new implementation of the Amstrad would have a proper mechanical keyboard, among many other things 

[Gryzor]

Mechanical keyboard? Cost has already skyrocketed!

[chinnyhill10]

Mechanical keyboard? Cost has already skyrocketed!

A new +2 in 1986 is the equivalent of £400 today. I just paid £100 for a Model M keyboard alone!

[||C|-|E||]

Best keyboard ever... and the one I have been using since 1990  . Back in time, I bought a lot for like 6 euros... nobody wanted them 

[AMSDOS]

Best keyboard ever... and the one I have been using since 1990  . Back in time, I bought a lot for like 6 euros... nobody wanted them 

Is there any chance you'd mail one to Aust? 

[||C|-|E||]

So, long story short is that I only have one in UK (where I am living now) and it is the one I use everyday. The rest are in Spain but in my next trip I can check how many are there and see if I can send one to you. They all have Spanish layout, though... 

I have seen that there is one in e-bay right now that does not seem to be expensive:

IBM By Lexmark 71G4644 Model M Wired PS/2 Keyboard | eBay

I am sure that it works 

[Audronic]

Hi all


We Australians just missed out on a BARGAIN for a Speccy +2, CoughCough


Ray

[chinnyhill10]

Hi all


We Australians just missed out on a BARGAIN for a Speccy +2, CoughCough


Ray

Cripes, 151 quid for a grey +2. "Refurbed" so a new tape belt, and a few new caps. Cost, about a quid and half hour of your time. Probably didn't bother with a new voltage regulator (I always suggest you do as every one I've come across has an output on the high side which makes the RAM run hotter than needed).

[AMSDOS]

So, long story short is that I only have one in UK (where I am living now) and it is the one I use everyday. The rest are in Spain but in my next trip I can check how many are there and see if I can send one to you. They all have Spanish layout, though... 

I have seen that there is one in e-bay right now that does not seem to be expensive:

IBM By Lexmark 71G4644 Model M Wired PS/2 Keyboard | eBay

I am sure that it works 

Hmm okay not sure how I'd go if it hasn't got a QWERTY keyboard.

Unfortunately I don't know much they go for usually, the one Ray mentioned in WA seems expensive. But probably has the whole package along with it.

[||C|-|E||]

Hmm okay not sure how I'd go if it hasn't got a QWERTY keyboard.

Unfortunately I don't know much they go for usually, the one Ray mentioned in WA seems expensive. But probably has the whole package along with it.

Spanish keyboards are actually QWERTY, but they have the "Ñ" next to the "L" and some of the common keys are in a different position as well, hehe  .

[chinnyhill10]

Spanish keyboards are actually QWERTY, but they have the "Ñ" next to the "L" and some of the common keys are in a different position as well, hehe  .

I'd go for one of the modern Unicomp remakes as at least you get USB and the Windows keys. You can also have one with a nipple that you can use as a mouse if you wish.


Unicomp also sell keycaps in different colours so you could pimp out your keyboard like a 464 if you wish with red, green and blue keys.

[||C|-|E||]

Unicomp is certainly the way to go for a modern M keyboard. The have the rights to fully reproduce the original one and the customization options are supercool. Expensive keyboards, but really great.