ZX Spectrum NEXT in the field

17-02-2020 7:17pm #1

An original rubber keyboard I learned basic on.
While there is a mouse port it's a PS 2 port(for younger boardsies this is not usb) , so ye'll have to paddle your own canoes to get one.
The other differences while having a proper keyboard and SD card slot is that it has 3 soundchips, of the same single unit type that was present on the 228k.

I think the spectrum next is the hardware emulator I'll aim for. How about other retro fans ?
Don't mention the Spectrum Vega again in this thread!

Tom Mann Centuria · 17-02-2020 7:25pm

I'm waiting for the accelerated version. (hopefully only a few more weeks away). There's been the odd quality control issue in the first lot delivered but nothing major so I'm still hopeful it'll be a great little device.

Still loads of of ps2 mice from Chinese sites for a couple of quid, or adapters.

mondeo · 18-02-2020 1:35pm

Ive been waiting for this to..... I plan to buy it and use it productively fo my work and for games hohohohoho

I Had two Spectrums growing up, a +2 and a +2A. I don't don't have them anymore though. I sadly sold them on adverts years ago.

It is great that we can soon go out and buy a brand new ZX Spectrum again, I think it's terrific !

Is there a conventional web browser on the Next ? I haven't seen any info about it anywhere ? Can you connect a pointing device to it ?

Skerries · 18-02-2020 4:31pm

you have to use a PS/2 mouse or pick up a usb adapter

mondeo · 18-02-2020 4:49pm

Skerries wrote: »

you have to use a PS/2 mouse or pick up a usb adapter

Can it be used as a conventional desktop computer though with access to the internet, and to use word processing programs ? All I have seen was a very traditional looking Spectrum home screen. As cool as this is, i would like to actually use it as a daily machine for applications to.

Now that this thing is out I need to understand it's limitations.

Tom Mann Centuria · 18-02-2020 4:50pm

mondeo wrote: »

Can it be used as a conventional desktop computer though with access to the internet, and to use word processing programs ?

Not a prayer.

o1s1n · 18-02-2020 5:47pm

mondeo wrote: »

Can it be used as a conventional desktop computer though with access to the internet, and to use word processing programs ? All I have seen was a very traditional looking Spectrum home screen. As cool as this is, i would like to actually use it as a daily machine for applications to.

Now that this thing is out I need to understand it's limitations.

Have you taken a look at the specs?

It would be like trying to browse the internet with a calculator.

Processor: Z80 on FPGA SLX16, Normal and Turbo modes.
Memory: 1Mb RAM (expandable to 2Mb internally)
Video: Hardware sprites, 256 colours mode

Firefox11 · 18-02-2020 9:46pm

Really looking forward to my accelerated zx spectrum next if a few weeks. I just hope it gets delivered properly.

Plus is it has an ace REAL Manual!! Haven't had one of those in a long time!!

Tom Mann Centuria · 18-02-2020 10:25pm

Firefox11 wrote: »

Really looking forward to my accelerated zx spectrum next if a few weeks. I just hope it gets delivered properly.

Plus is it has an ace REAL Manual!! Haven't had one of those in a long time!!

Yeah, fastway couriers have delivered some of the Nexts in Ireland. Not who I'd have wanted but hopefully they'll arrive safe and sound.

Skerries · 18-02-2020 10:52pm

I think their company is on the spectrum

Firefox11 · 18-02-2020 11:06pm

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Yeah, fastway couriers have delivered some of the Nexts in Ireland. Not who I'd have wanted but hopefully they'll arrive safe and sound.

I've had a bad experience with fastway in the past before. I hope it does not happen again in this case!

Tom Mann Centuria · 18-02-2020 11:15pm

Firefox11 wrote: »

I've had a bad experience with fastway in the past before. I hope it does not happen again in this case!

So have I, more than one unfortunately.

mondeo · 19-02-2020 2:34am

o1s1n wrote: »

Have you taken a look at the specs?

It would be like trying to browse the internet with a calculator.

Processor: Z80 on FPGA SLX16, Normal and Turbo modes.
Memory: 1Mb RAM (expandable to 2Mb internally)
Video: Hardware sprites, 256 colours mode

I'm aware it has a Z80, but I thought it had a more modern processor also? Some sort of a dual setup where it booted into Spectrum mode with the Z80 and some sort of modern desktop environment to with modern hardware. The Z80 was just to guarantee compatibility with all Spectrum titles. I thought I read somewhere there was two different processors ..

Tom Mann Centuria · 19-02-2020 8:34am

mondeo wrote: »

I'm aware it has a Z80, but I thought it had a more modern processor also? Some sort of a dual setup where it booted into Spectrum mode with the Z80 and some sort of modern desktop environment to with modern hardware. The Z80 was just to guarantee compatibility with all Spectrum titles. I thought I read somewhere there was two different processors ..

Next is a Spectrum with bells and whistles, but still a Spectrum.

There will be multicore down the line, so the fpga will have different personalities, but they will be Atari 2600, Commodore 64, very old arcade games etc. etc. Even 16 bit would be a challenge for the Next, so unfortunately you aren't going to get the experience you're after.

As you probably know, there is office software for the Spectrum but you'd only use that for the novelty, unless Tasword release an update

One thing I'm looking forward to messing with is the way to connect the Next to a video text bbs system (like teletext/ceefax) and download small bits of software and read all the nonsense.

Playing some old spectrum games with a mouse will be interesting too (there's been 20 plus games converted to Kempston mouse which the Next can emulate)

Maybe it was the accelerated version you read about, that includes a Raspberry Pi zero, so dual processor? But as we know, the pi zero is good fun, and will give the Next a few more interesting features, it's not got the grunt to be a usable desktop experience.

mondeo · 19-02-2020 12:49pm

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Next is a Spectrum with bells and whistles, but still a Spectrum.

There will be multicore down the line, so the fpga will have different personalities, but they will be Atari 2600, Commodore 64, very old arcade games etc. etc. Even 16 bit would be a challenge for the Next, so unfortunately you aren't going to get the experience you're after.

As you probably know, there is office software for the Spectrum but you'd only use that for the novelty, unless Tasword release an update

One thing I'm looking forward to messing with is the way to connect the Next to a video text bbs system (like teletext/ceefax) and download small bits of software and read all the nonsense.

Playing some old spectrum games with a mouse will be interesting too (there's been 20 plus games converted to Kempston mouse which the Next can emulate)

Maybe it was the accelerated version you read about, that includes a Raspberry Pi zero, so dual processor? But as we know, the pi zero is good fun, and will give the Next a few more interesting features, it's not got the grunt to be a usable desktop experience.

Tasword, I had this on the Amstrad 6128.... I didn't know they had it on the Spectrum to. Believe it or not Tasword was actually kinda usable, I used it for projects in school back when I was in first year in secondary school.

I may not bother buying the Next now if I cannot use it to access the internet in a traditional way or use a modern word processor on it. It's a lot of money to spend for just playing old skool games. It's still cool though.

Tom Mann Centuria · 19-02-2020 2:20pm

mondeo wrote: »

I may not bother buying the Next now if I cannot use it to access the internet in a traditional way or use a modern word processor on it. It's a lot of money to spend for just playing old skool games. It's still cool though.

It was never envisaged as doing what you'd want it to do unfortunately. You'd be better off sticking to software emulation on a pc or laptop.

mondeo · 19-02-2020 3:28pm

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

It was never envisaged as doing what you'd want it to do unfortunately. You'd be better off sticking to software emulation on a pc or laptop.

Exactly.. Or buy a broken +2/+3 on ebay and stick a rasberry pi 4 and hack on a mini Bluetooth keyboard into the case of it, it would actually be a functional pysical thing then. Nice little project for myself.

Firefox11 · 19-02-2020 11:33pm

This is actually a good 'first look' video of the spectrum next.

Tom Mann Centuria · 20-02-2020 12:04am

Think I might treat myself to the 8bitdo wireless megadrive pad for it. Have a couple of joysticks but not sure my old hands are able for them now after all these years of d-pads.

Firefox11 · 20-02-2020 12:54am

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Think I might treat myself to the 8bitdo wireless megadrive pad for it. Have a couple of joysticks but not sure my old hands are able for them now after all these years of d-pads.

I have one allready for my megadrive. It's excellent. Definitely recommend.

Tom Mann Centuria · 20-02-2020 10:21pm

Getting all the bits and bobs sorted for it's arrival, I still think we're about a month away from getting accelerated, though I'm hoping to be proved wrong.

I'm going down the vga route when it arrives, and unbelievably I couldn't find a vga cable, when I must have had tens of the feckin things over the years. Ordered an in line power switch, have a ps2 mouse, and ordered a +3 tape lead because I still want to load from tape from time to time and apparently that's what the Next uses.

Tom Mann Centuria · 22-02-2020 10:52pm

The different cores for the fpga have started to appear. So far there's the Acorn Atom, Atari 2600, Atari 800xl, Colecovision, NES and MSX1. Moon Cresta and Ms Pacman also. Don't think they all work 100%, and I read that they may need external keyboard rather than the Next keyboard but it's a great start.

I'll be sticking with the Spectrum side of things to start with anyway.

Firefox11 · 22-02-2020 10:57pm

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

The different cores for the fpga have started to appear. So far there's the Acorn Atom, Atari 2600, Atari 800xl, Colecovision, NES and MSX1. Moon Cresta and Ms Pacman also. Don't think they all work 100%, and I read that they may need external keyboard rather than the Next keyboard but it's a great start.

I'll be sticking with the Spectrum side of things to start with anyway.

I not really interested in the other cores really but the early QL core looks interesting.

Tom Mann Centuria · 22-02-2020 11:30pm

Firefox11 wrote: »

I not really interested in the other cores really but the early QL core looks interesting.

The QL passed me by so I'll be looking at that with fresh eyes.

Skerries · 26-02-2020 1:46am

really good and in depth look at the NEXT

29-02-2020 4:33pm

Shameless bump of my own thread

https://youtu.be/oQP0jieY7F4

mondeo · 01-03-2020 1:04pm

You know, on second thoughts I might actually pick one of these up on the second batch "if I can get one". I have been doing a lot of reading up on it. You cannot get a more authentic sequel then this to my +2. But I do want to try use it for something more then playing games. Would it work with a modern printer I wonder for typing out documents. I know I'm probably stuck with fckn taswrord or Pyraword though. I cannot imagine using them again.

The accelerated version has a rasberry pi zero, does this mean Linux could be installed on it somehow ? Now if I could switch to that for word processing when needed then that would be good enough, then I can switch back to play Power Drift and Tranz AM real easy !

Tom Mann Centuria · 01-03-2020 1:25pm

mondeo wrote: »

You know, on second thoughts I might actually pick one of these up on the second batch "if I can get one". I have been doing a lot of reading up on it. You cannot get a more authentic sequel then this to my +2. But I do want to try use it for something more then playing games. Would it work with a modern printer I wonder for typing out documents. I know I'm probably stuck with fckn taswrord or Pyraword though. I cannot imagine using them again.

The accelerated version has a rasberry pi zero, does this mean Linux could be installed on it somehow ? Now if I could switch to that for word processing when needed then that would be good enough, then I can switch back to play Power Drift and Tranz AM real easy !

There's going to be a second kickstarter, or you could spend over the odds and get one on ebay.

No one has come up with a way to connect to new printer technology with the Next. The Pi can't become the main system.

You can use Wordstar on CP/M, that's an improvement on Tasword

01-03-2020 9:47pm

Can anyone tell me why this is so expensive for what it is? The FPGA and full sized keyboard? Says £210 for the standard model on the official website which is a little bit about £60 too much in my opinion.

Tom Mann Centuria · 01-03-2020 9:58pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Can anyone tell me why this is so expensive for what it is? The FPGA and full sized keyboard? Says £210 for the standard model on the official website which is a little bit about £60 too much in my opinion.

Design and tooling of the keyboard are expenses most FPGA projects I've seen don't have. They've spent time and money on the manual and box too. Now whether that makes up any of the notional excess expense is not something anyone else can judge. It's certainly not cheap.

01-03-2020 10:00pm

Yeah I was about to edit my post. I had an Amstrad CPC 464 growing up and if they did one of those with a nice fancy case/keyboard and FPGA I wouldn't hesitate at £210.

Tom Mann Centuria · 01-03-2020 10:03pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yeah I was about to edit my post. I had an Amstrad CPC 464 growing up and if they did one of those with a nice fancy case/keyboard and FPGA I wouldn't hesitate at £210.

It's a fair enough question really, nostalgia persuaded me, and it was the one time I had a few bob, if it was now, not a chance, couldn't justify the expense.

Don't think they're making much money on this batch, but the second kickstarter should mean they're quids in.

mondeo · 01-03-2020 10:41pm

I wonder will they continue to produce the Next if it is successful enough. I am sure the second batch will be bought out in minutes.

01-03-2020 10:43pm

^^^^^^ shush! I have to secure one yet!

mondeo · 02-03-2020 12:58pm

Deleted User wrote: »

^^^^^^ shush! I have to secure one yet!

Private resellers will be buying them out fast. They will probably order 3 or 4 of them just to sell them to some idiot for 600+. Have to be quick about this one I think.

08-03-2020 6:57pm

<BUMP!> How to install a Raspberry Pi Zero in a Spectrum Next (by a C64 FAN YouTube channel ironically - they must have never heard of the Spectrum Vega!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyGEi6Gyot0

Tom Mann Centuria · 06-04-2020 1:57pm

At least some of the Nexts destined for Ireland are in the latest consignment to be despatched. Mine should hopefully be on the way this week.

Tom Mann Centuria · 10-04-2020 12:41pm

Mine arrived today! Woo hoo. Time to load up Laser Squad!

Firefox11 · 15-04-2020 3:46pm

After playing around with mine for the last couple of days I have to say I absolutely love this machine!!

Of all the recent retro recreations the Spectrum Next surpasses them all as far as I am concerned. They have done an absolute fantastic Job on this.

CiDeRmAn · 16-04-2020 12:08am

Where can I get one of these now?
And how much will it cost me?

Tom Mann Centuria · 16-04-2020 7:45am

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Where can I get one of these now?
And how much will it cost me?

They're going to do a second kickstarter, but it's probably being delayed because of the state the world is. People on ebay are selling though, probably looking at around 300 pounds on ebay, now, they were going for five and six hundred or more! But prices have settled down a lot now.

Inviere · 16-04-2020 7:48am

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

They're going to do a second kickstarter, but it's probably being delayed because of the state the world is. People on ebay are selling though, probably looking at around 300 pounds on ebay, now, they were going for five and six hundred or more! But prices have settled down a lot now.

That's nuts, how much was it to back the project originally?

Tom Mann Centuria · 16-04-2020 7:57am

Inviere wrote: »

That's nuts, how much was it to back the project originally?

Actually I think I'm being optimistic, just looked at ebay completed listings, and they're selling for 500 plus more often than not, even the last couple of days.

230 pounds was what they cost on the kickstarter for the top of the line one.

KeRbDoG · 16-04-2020 8:31am

Firefox11 wrote: »

Of all the recent retro recreations the Spectrum Next surpasses them all as far as I am concerned. They have done an absolute fantastic Job on this.

Cool, which other recreations do you have or tried? Interested to see how this stacks up

Inviere · 16-04-2020 9:36am

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

230 pounds was what they cost on the kickstarter for the top of the line one.

The guts of €300? Ouch. I can see it's a quality bit of kit, but at the price, I'd almost certainly lean towards some souped up original hardware with a crt.

Tom Mann Centuria · 16-04-2020 10:09am

Inviere wrote: »

The guts of €300? Ouch. I can see it's a quality bit of kit, but at the price, I'd almost certainly lean towards some souped up original hardware with a crt.

Oh yeah, wasn't cheap. It was the Rick Dickinson keyboard that I wanted, the man was a legend.

It was a good investment anyway going by second hand prices I could make money if I wanted.

Inviere · 16-04-2020 11:15am

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Oh yeah, wasn't cheap. It was the Rick Dickinson keyboard that I wanted, the man was a legend.

It was a good investment anyway going by second hand prices I could make money if I wanted.

Yeah the second run seems like it'll be a limited run, so your investment should be decent even in the short term!

Firefox11 · 16-04-2020 12:00pm

KeRbDoG wrote: »

Cool, which other recreations do you have or tried? Interested to see how this stacks up

I have a Mega Drive Mini and a C64 Mini(and a Playstation Mini but the less said about that the better

)

What I meant by the Spectrum Next being one of the better retro recreations is that this is a lot more than 'just a spectrum' in an albeit beautiful case. It is the versatility and attention to detail that has been put into it that pushes it head and shoulders above the rest.

There are new Spectrum next games being developed for it (similar to 16Bit Games of the day) while being completely back compatible with all zx spectrum games of old. It has a very powerful version of BASIC specifically designed for the spectrum next called NextBASIC. It has wifi with the potential of game download services available in the future. There are new demos that can play Amiga MOD and C64 SID audio. There are also new cores being developed for it. (BBC Micro/NES/Sinclair QL to name a few) It even has a version of CP/M OS on it!
It also comes with a whopping great manual just like the old days.

It's early days yet but the potential of ZX Spectrum Next could be huge.

Firefox11 · 16-04-2020 2:00pm

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

They're going to do a second kickstarter, but it's probably being delayed because of the state the world is. People on ebay are selling though, probably looking at around 300 pounds on ebay, now, they were going for five and six hundred or more! But prices have settled down a lot now.

Yeah, there are going for crazy prices on ebay. The Next folks were fully aware of this and didn't want people being ripped off on ebay and that's why they wanted to start the second kickstarter as soon as possible but this pandemic has kind of put a halt on it.

Inviere · 17-04-2020 8:41am

Firefox11 wrote: »

I have a Mega Drive Mini and a C64 Mini(and a Playstation Mini but the less said about that the better )

I'd be fairly certain it's head & shoulders above the usual SOC offerings. This is a fully fledged computer in and of itself. It looks like a cracking piece of kit for Speccy fans.

Tom Mann Centuria · 02-08-2020 2:08pm

2nd Kickstarter starting soon, within a couple of weeks I should think. It'll be interesting to see how much they price them at, not significantly cheaper than the first run I hope! Hopefully the spec stays the same too, don't want fragmentation already of a tiny little user base.

Because of the hefty price tag I don't see more sold than last time, but the machine has had a good write up pretty much everywhere it's been reviewed.

ZX Spectrum NEXT in the field

Comments