Upgrading ZX Spectrum Next with WiFi and Raspberry Pi Zero Accelerator
By
ibobev
5mo ago· 6 min readen
100/100
Golden Brown
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Fresh out the oven, still warm. Top of the tray.
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Summary
The article details the author's experience upgrading their ZX Spectrum Next retro computer with WiFi connectivity using an ESP8266 module and adding a Raspberry Pi Zero as an accelerator. The author describes technical challenges encountered, including incompatible keyboard socket spacing and issues with the ESP01 module's firmware. The content focuses on the practical aspects of retro computing hardware modifications and troubleshooting.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledI'm enjoying my Xberry Pi ZX Spectrum Next, but I have to say the 'simple' upgrade of getting it onto Wifi via the cheap and cheerful ESP 8266 was not fun.
While I had every intention of setting up my Speccy keyboard on the board's matrix connector, I need to wait for a socket of the correct pitch.
It turns out the Xberry Pi needs 0.2mm spacing and I have none in my parts box.
Instead I figured do the other main upgrades, namely add a Pi Zero 'accelerator' and get the ESP01 onto the board.
ZX Spectrum Next on Wifi/Internet, plus Pi Zero AcceleratorGetting my ZX Spectrum Next onto Wifi and the Internet, plus Pi Zero Accelerator
