JamesD Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 The project is scheduled for January delivery next year.The hardware is definitely legit. People have test versions in hand.But the case tooling and production hasn't started yet, it's just CAD drawings and renderings. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1835143999/zx-spectrum-next 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted April 22, 2017 Author Share Posted April 22, 2017 (edited) "$320,174 goal"That's over 1800 backers. That might be asking a bit much. *edit* Goal listed in dollars and pledges in pounds. 1428 backers. Edited April 23, 2017 by JamesD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Given how many of those KS about the Spectrum flourish lately, we will soon reach a point where there will be more "New Spectrums" that original Spectrums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Look at the details -- this actually looks pretty good if they can pull it off. It's far more "take my money" than "shut up and" compared to the all-emulation solutions. Unfortunately it costs as much as a real modern computer, so enthusiasts only need apply. But I guess that's the nature of these things until FPGA prices come down (which they will, right?) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share Posted April 23, 2017 Given how many of those KS about the Spectrum flourish lately, we will soon reach a point where there will be more "New Spectrums" that original Spectrums. They sold a few million Spectrums, so I think they have a way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share Posted April 23, 2017 Approaching 90% funded in the first 24 hours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share Posted April 23, 2017 Approaching the $300,000 mark with 1078 backers. Some people splurged for the bigger rewards, so it's cut the number of backers needed. Looks like they will pull it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted April 24, 2017 Author Share Posted April 24, 2017 Only $8132 to go. Looks like it could be funded withing the first 48 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted April 24, 2017 Author Share Posted April 24, 2017 https://retrocomputingnews.com/2017/04/24/new-sinclair-zx-spectrum-next-fully-funded/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 They sold a few million Spectrums, so I think they have a way to go. About 5 millions, and you can probably add about 2/3 millions of clones sold in Eastern Europe. But you got what I meant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted April 24, 2017 Author Share Posted April 24, 2017 They have added stretch goals and new rewards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 I'm looking forward to this. I like the idea of an all-in-one Spectrum (SD, Joystick, HDMI, etc) and it can operate in NTSC, which is nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juansolo Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 (edited) I do have to wonder why they've gone down the FPGA route when all the bits (ULA aside, but that's been reverse engineered already) exist to make a real one? Indeed it exists as a drop in made by Zaxon in Poland as the Just Speccy 128. Prices have gone up a bit since I got mine, but it's essentially doing the same thing, just without a fancy new box. Edited April 28, 2017 by juansolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almerian Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 I do have to wonder why they've gone down the FPGA route when all the bits (ULA aside, but that's been reverse engineered already) exist to make a real one? Indeed it exists as a drop in made by Zaxon in Poland as the Just Speccy 128. Prices have gone up a bit since I got mine, but it's essentially doing the same thing, just without a fancy new box. Turbo mode, additional graphics modes, HDMI. And the possibility of adding 'hardware' in the FPGA without even opening up the case. You could even put an entire obscure Sinclair QL, MSX, Oric or the great Atari 800 in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted April 29, 2017 Author Share Posted April 29, 2017 The FPGA lets them upgrade the hardware in the future or configure it as a different machine.I think one of the stretch goals is a larger FPGA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazzeri Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 The FPGA lets them upgrade the hardware in the future or configure it as a different machine. I think one of the stretch goals is a larger FPGA. It is, and it was already met. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killersquirel Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 It's almost at the next stretch goal to add sockets to make it easier to upgrade. If you are interested in Spectrum computing and gaming now is the perfect time to jump in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genfuyung Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 As someone who has been investigating all the necessary steps required to get a spectrum imported and working in the us, this kickstarter seems awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPA5 Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 This is how you do a Kickstarter. By actually having a functional, working product. Now, whether they can deliver all those orders remains to be seen. I'd be all over this if it wasn't so pricey. Not that I doubt it's worth it, but I just can't justify that kind of cash. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 Elsewhere it has been speculated as this design will become open once the initial run is made, there will be cheap copies from China some time in 2018. I'm not so sure, unless they have special discounts on FPGA chips in China but we'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 I just received notification that the kickstarter campaign is about to end.If you want one, better hurry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killersquirel Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 There is seven hours left of this kickstarter and it smashed all of the stretch goals. Now's a great time to jump on board if you want one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I'm happy it smashed through all the stretch goals. It makes an already impressive platform all the better. If this indeed delivers on its promises, this will 100% be the product by which all others of its type are judged. The bar will have indeed been raised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 The funding ended at £723,390. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 I would have loved to have one, but I'm fundless at the moment. I'm sure extras will be on ebay for twice the price.The 2nd joystick port stretch goal fixes one of my biggest gripes with the original design.Nice to see that got unlocked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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