For some enthusiasts, it is not enough to adapt a computer to their needs. More than once, they decide to build them from scratch, exploring formats and specifications they probably won't find in a commercial product. The Singleboard Alpha is an excellent example, integrating its components on a single PCB. That includes the capacitive keyboard, the screen, and the ESP32 that serves as the "brain" for the whole system.
The ZX Spectrum needs no introduction. Its keyboard was horrible, but that didn't stop its owners from doing incredible things. In other words, all hardware limitations became secondary in the face of the human factor, and that's what fuels the development of platforms that a normal user would consider obsolete or very limited. Some examples that come to mind are the Book 8088, the Hand 386, and the LILYGO T-Deck, but today I'd like to mention the Singleboard Alpha, based on the ESP32.
Singleboard Alpha, a mini computer with an '80s spirit
Singleboard Alpha is a creation of Kevin Bates, whom we know best for developing the Arduboy. The system combines an ESP32 module, a capacitive keyboard, and a TFT screen with a resolution of 320 by 172 pixels. On the PCB we can also see a lithium battery and its charging circuit, a speaker, and a slot for reading microSD cards. The first version of the keyboard gave some problems (it could register "ghost presses" when touching the back of the PCB), and although Kevin acknowledges that the situation isn't perfect, the truth is that it has improved a lot in its second revision.
What can we do with a Singleboard Alpha? In essence, everything an ESP32 allows. I must admit that I've never gone beyond a router or a clock, but some users have managed to emulate an IBM PC with this microcontroller. In any case, Kevin calls the Singleboard an artistic and "quasi-functional" project, which will be available in very limited quantities. The first round will be four units, and if there's enough interest, maybe he'll make another ten.
Official site: Click here Source: Hackaday
