Sinclair Zx81 Turned Into Pc [Retro Casemod]
December 2nd, 2008
Remember the old Sinclair ZX81 computer? You know, the tiny, little 8-bit machine with a huge following, and a horrible flat keyboard?
Thanks to miracle of modern miniaturization, you can now fit a fully-functional Windows or Linux PC inside of one of these. It’s pretty amazing when you think about it – as the ZX81 only measures in at about 6.6″ wide x 6.9″ deep x 1.6″ tall.
Modder Unravelled managed to cram the entire system – including a tiny hard drive – inside the diminutive ZX81 case by using a newfangled VIA EPIA Pico-ITX motherboard. (As small as the Pico-ITX is, I defy anyone to cram a complete system into the even smaller ZX Spectrum).
Pretty impressive, eh? Now all Unravelled needs to do is install a copy of EightyOne or XTender on there to play original ZX81 applications inside of a modern OS, and he’ll be all set.
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I wonder whether it emulates ram pack wobble? ;-)
Err… the ZX Spectrum is actually bigger than the ZX81…
I thought the ZX Spectrum was quite a bit wider, but not nearly as deep. I really don’t think you could fit the MOBO and hard drive in there.
It would be especially great with a fully functional original keyboard and TV-out.
Yeah – it’s a pity there wasn’t a way to use to original crappy membrane keyboard (at least as an option).
I think it would be possible to get the membrane keyboard working, you would have to figure out the keyboard matrix – which row and column make which letter and then wire them into the chip from a usb keyboard – which you had also mapped.
Brilliant(Genial), this in sale, we can contact
I’m sure you’ll be glad to know that one of the game companies that developed for the Sinclair called Elite are bringing those games out on the iPhone.
http://toucharcade.com/2010/09/27/elite-to-bring-zx-spectrum-elite-collection-vol-1-to-the-iphone/
Excellent piece of kit. I’m looking for parts on eBay!
They need one of these at: http://www.ZX81Museum.net