The ZX Spectrum needs no introduction. Ten years on the market, five million units sold… without a doubt, a true titan among 8-bit systems. Its community of enthusiasts is much larger than you'd imagine, and over the years we've seen projects that optimize and reinvent this classic computer. But the GitHub user "Airrr17" decided to rebuild the ZX Spectrum as an ultraportable using the exact dose of emulation.
I never had the chance to own a ZX Spectrum. After a very brief stint in the MSX universe I moved to the Commodore 64, and from there to my first 286 clone. My path never led me to Sinclair territory, or even to many of its clones that existed around the world.
Unfortunately, today they ask a fortune for these systems. The retro tax exists, and the truth is that the number of old computers in good condition keeps falling, but not everything is lost for the ZX Spectrum. On the contrary, there are very interesting alternatives out there, and one of them is the ZX Spectrum 128k Micro Laptop.
A ZX Spectrum as a Laptop? Why Not?
Generally speaking, the computer uses seven major components. The most important is a programmable STM32F407VET6 Mini module, which can be obtained via eBay for around $20. That means there's no original hardware here, and the computer uses emulation to generate a compatible environment. The other components are an ili9341 display, an Arduino Pro Micro that holds the keyboard firmware, a stereo amplifier, a lithium battery, a charging module, and a pack of 43 buttons that form the keyboard itself.
The assembly instructions are spread between the GitHub profile of "Airrr17" and a YouTube video, but it's clear from the start that it's not a project for beginners. Still, I think the final result is worth it: The computer measures 90 x 60 x 22 mm, and its battery provides two hours of autonomy. Obviously, every aspect can be optimized, and the idea of not falling back on a Raspberry Pi (which still costs a fortune) is a plus.
Official site: Click here Source: Hackaday
