Technabob » sinclair

Sinclair Zx Spectrum 8-Bit Micro Computer Gets Modern Makeover as Linux Pc

Technabob — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:00:22 +0000

A few months back, I reported on a guy who turned his old Sinclair ZX81 computer into a PC. When I wrote that post I was convinced that there would be no way that anyone could cram a modern PC into the even more minuscule Sinclair ZX Spectrum. But after Technabob reader Brian Smith read my original post, he set out on a mission to prove me wrong. And the result of his efforts is this, a true marvel of modern miniaturization:

Brian gutted the old ZX Spectrum and replaced its innards with an updated motherboard, running Debian Linux. In order to keep within the constraints of the machines’ form factor, the system runs off of an 8GB SDHC memory card instead of a hard drive. He even managed to get the old ZX chiclet keyboard to work as a proper USB device by rewiring it to the controller circuitry of a new keyboard.

Amazingly, Brian was able to fit not only a full PC motherboard inside the case, but a 4-port USB hub and even HDMI video out. The trick was to use the diminutive 3″ square Beagleboard mobo at the heart of his system. There’s even a little bit of room to spare inside the case. He even managed to power the system with the same old power brick that the original ZX Spectrum used back in the day (with a little voltage step-down wizardry).

Here’s a little shakycam video comparing an original ZX (or as most of the world knows it the “zed X”) to the upgraded Linux ZX Spectrum, complete with the requisite demo of a Sinclair ZX emulator running under Linux, thus completing the circle of life.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

For more pictures of Brian’s nifty ZX Spectrum casemod, head on over to Flickr and check out the complete build gallery.

Sinclair Zx81 Turned Into Pc [Retro Casemod]

Technabob — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:58:49 +0000

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.

Worst Computer Ever

Technabob — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:23:50 +0000

Check out this rare DELTA-C vintage Soviet computer (if you can call 1991 “vintage”) that I found over on eBay. It’s apparently a clone of the classic Sinclair ZX personal computer, but it sure looks like something you’d find down in a Dharma station on LOST.

I especially like the keycaps that have paper labels with a mix of cryptic English and Cyrillic characters on them. It comes complete with some original software tapes, a terrible looking joystick and worst power brick I’ve seen since the one that comes with the Xbox 360.

The auction currently has a bid of just $1.25 (but the reserve hasn’t yet been met,) so get your bids in now!