Dorchester 3D’s Dan Birch takes the ZX Spectrum Next to the next level with a 3D printed laptop case, making retro-modern keyboard computer a portable slice of nostalgia pie.

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Successfully funded on Kickstarter last year, the ZX Spectrum Next is a modern day re-build of the classic Sinclair ZX Spectrum 8-bit computer of the 1980s. Officially licensed and built from the ground up to work both with the original Sinclair ZX Spectrum hardware, whilst expanding capabilities and future proofing it.

Serving the thriving hobbyist scene around the original computer (which still creates new games and functions for it, some 30 years after its release), its a neat new computer that gives more than a dose of nostalgia.

The original ZX Spectrum lives inside an integrated keyboard case. The ZX Spectrum Next can be retrofitted into theis original case, but is otherwise a bare board for the user to do with as they wish.

Over at Dorchester 3D, retro gaming enthusiast and hardware hacker Dan Birch is taking his ZX Spectrum Next and fashioning it into a retrotastic Speccy-style laptop.

Making a ZX Spectrum Next Laptop

In terms of assembly as a project, the ZX Spectrum Next laptop seems simple enough. The board itself is the finished product, so all that’s left is to attach a display, keyboard and fabricate a case to contain it all.

Birch turned to 3D printing service Shapeways for his Speccy black case. Unfortunately there’s no indication of the files for this being shared, so if you fancy giving it a go yourself, you’re out of luck.

For the display Birch uses a Raspberry Pi 4:3 aspect ratio panel hooked up to the ZX Spectrum Next’s HDMI output. Similarly, an off the shelf USB keyboard he stripped from its original case is used. This is then plugged in the computer’s PS/2 output via an adapter.

Finally, supplementary boards are required to enable the full potential of this laptop build. Birch adds an LCD driver board, Raspberry Pi Zero and USB hub to allow for additional USB connectivity for the likes of games controllers and other peripherals one would likely use with the ZX Spectrum Next.

The resulting laptop is incredibly slick, and a great example of hardware hacking at its finest. For more imagery and details, check out the original Dorchester 3D post on the link below.

Source: Dorchester 3D