A hobbyist project has resulted in a custom-built laptop for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum Next, a modern hardware recreation of the classic 1980s home computer. The project, developed by a creator at Dorchester3D, was born from a desire to create a portable form factor for the Spectrum Next hardware while addressing technical limitations found in earlier prototype designs. Unlike the official Spectrum Next Kickstarter, this is an independent project that utilizes 3D-printed components and off-the-shelf parts to house the system.
The second iteration of the laptop features several specific hardware choices to improve functionality over previous versions. The creator replaced a standard USB PC keyboard with a genuine Spectrum Next keyboard, which, while thicker than modern laptop keys, provides a more authentic experience. The device also incorporates a 14-inch WXGA LED screen capable of both HDMI and VGA inputs, supported by a dedicated controller board. To manage the internal layout, the project uses a small PCB originally designed for a handheld version of the Spectrum Next, allowing for a more compact internal footprint while still supporting Raspberry Pi and WiFi modules.
The creator replaced a standard USB PC keyboard with a genuine Spectrum Next keyboard to improve functionality and authenticity.
The device also incorporates a 14-inch WXGA LED screen capable of both HDMI and VGA inputs, supported by a dedicated controller board.
Several practical limitations remain in the current build, particularly regarding power and display management. While a 10,000 mAh battery and a 12V UPS were added to provide approximately six hours of playtime, the LCD backlight remains at 100% brightness because the controller board lacks native dimming. To solve this without modifying the primary Raspberry Pi software, the creator integrated an Arduino Nano to handle the PWM signal for the backlight. This allows the user to adjust brightness via specific keyboard combinations, such as holding 'Symbol Shift' and the cursor keys, keeping the main system's firmware intact.
Technical details of the build include the use of 3D-printed parts, which were initially prototyped on a CR-10S Pro and then professionally printed via Shapeways. The laptop includes dual joystick ports, stereo speakers with volume control, and dual Micro-SD sockets. By using a dedicated Arduino for laptop-specific tasks like backlight control, the creator ensures that the standard Spectrum Next distribution remains compatible with the custom chassis without requiring software modifications.
The project highlights the trade-offs involved in retro-computing hardware: balancing the desire for authentic components (like the original keyboard) with the practical requirements of a portable device (like battery life and screen brightness). While the laptop is not a slimline modern device, it functions as a dedicated portable station for the Spectrum Next hardware, providing a unique bridge between 80s nostalgia and modern manufacturing techniques.
Ultimately, the project serves as a proof of concept for how modular, 3D-printed designs can extend the life of niche hardware. By isolating the laptop-specific functions—such as power management and display dimming—to a secondary microcontroller, the creator maintains the integrity of the original Spectrum Next hardware while providing a functional, portable experience. The build remains a work in progress, with the creator continuing to refine the integration of off-the-shelf components into a cohesive, custom-designed form factor.
The project demonstrates that while high-fidelity retro hardware can be difficult to adapt into modern form factors, a combination of 3D printing, secondary microcontrollers, and careful component selection can overcome significant engineering hurdles. The resulting device offers a unique way to experience the Spectrum Next, prioritizing hardware authenticity and functional portability over the slim aesthetics of contemporary laptops.
Readers interested in the project can see the evolution from the first prototype, which used a standard USB keyboard and faced screen compatibility issues, to the current version which successfully integrates a genuine Spectrum Next keyboard and a more robust power system. The project also provides a blueprint for how other enthusiasts might adapt similar FPGA-based hardware into custom enclosures.
The final build includes a 12V UPS and a 10,000 mAh battery, which provides about 6 hours of playtime. The LCD backlight is controlled via an Arduino Nano to avoid modifying the default Raspberry Pi software. The keyboard is a genuine Spectrum Next keyboard, and the screen is a 14-inch WXGA LED screen.
The project is unrelated to the official Spectrum Next Kickstarter or the Spectrum Next team.
The laptop was designed from scratch, using only a few parts of the previous design (Joystick, USB, and power jack cut-outs).
The new laptop must have the following: Original Spectrum Next keyboard Touchpad for games or apps that support the PS/2 mouse connector Dual Micro-SD sockets Stereo speakers with volume control and headphone jack Dual joystick ports PI USB ports
The Screen I wanted to re-use the screen from an old, non-working laptop. The screen itself is a 14" WXGA LED screen, and when tested with a Spectrum Next, it gave a great display over HDMI and also VGA at 50 Hz.\nIn addition to the screen, I needed a VGA/HDMI/LCD controller board; there are plenty of these available from the likes of eBay, etc. The size of these boards isn't great for this particular project, but by removing the large unused sockets (DVI, headphones, etc.), I can at least reduce the height requirement inside the laptop.
After lots of sanding and painting, it is time to assemble the final laptop:
The Keyboard What is a better keyboard for the laptop than a genuine Spectrum Next keyboard? While it's not as thin as most modern laptop keyboards, it is sufficiently thin for this build, and I prefer the Next keyboard to most laptop keyboards. The keyboard will be "on loan" from my 2nd Spectrum Next, and I'm hoping to pick up a spare keyboard in the future, specifically for the laptop, in order to return this keyboard back to the Spectrum Next that it came from.
The PCB Having some spare mini-boards from the handheld project I opted to use one of these for the build. It's small size lends itself well to a laptop and leaves me plenty of room inside the case for wiring and other things.\nThe previous version of the laptop was built around the Spectrum Next dev board, which, given its size, is not best suited to a laptop design. On top of this, they are hard to find and quite expensive.\nThe mini PCB, like the Spectrum Next PCB, has the ability to interface with the Raspberry PI and WiFi module, so these are also included in the laptop along with a USB splitter board for future USB devices when they become available in the firmware in the future.\nLaptop Design With the screen size already determined and I want to use the Spectrum Next keyboard, the design was built around these in the form of a standard-looking laptop. It is not as slimline as modern laptops, but that's mostly to do with me needing to use off-the-shelf components (LCD driver board, keyboard, etc.) and trying to fit them in.
3D Printing Due to the size of the parts, initial prints were completed on my CR-10S Pro ; these were made to ensure the positioning of the ports and hinges were correct. Once verified, the STL files were sent off to Shapeways to be professionally printed. Once received, I sanded down the parts and painted them black.
Completed After lots of sanding and painting, it is time to assemble the final laptop: A quick play of some games and demos
YouTube Video
Still to do...
Some things still need to be completed on the laptop:
Battery! Yes, I need to sort out a suitable battery and charging module.
LCD Backlight. This is always at 100% brightness; the LCD board doesn't have a way to control this. However, these screens often have a pin that will allow a PWM signal to control the brightness, so I should be able to control this with the PI or something like an Arduino.\nUpdate 19/12/2020
Some additions to the laptop will give it some of the things you would expect from a laptop. Until now, the laptop had needed to be plugged in to use; however, today I added a 12V UPS and a 10,000 mAh battery, which gives me about 6 hours of ZX Spectrum playtime while away from a plug socket.
LCD Backlight
When originally built, the LCD backlight could not be modified and was always on at 100%. What I wanted to do was make it controllable via the laptop keyboard. To do this, I picked up an Arduino Nano .
I've used this several years ago when building an LCD touchscreen Sinclair C5 . With the Arduino, I can control the LCD backlight by configuring one of the output pins to send a PWM signal to the screen. By routing some of the keyboard membrane lines to the Arduino input pins, I can look for certain keyboard presses, namely the Symbol Shift and the Left/Right Cursor keys.
Holding Symbol Shift + Left I can reduce the backlight brightness; Symbol Shift + Right I can increase the backlight brightness; This could be done using the Raspberry Pi; however, this would mean modifying the default PI software, which I do not want to do. I want to use the standard Next distribution with the laptop and have the Arduino handle laptop-specific functionality.
I did try to make a quick video showing this, but the camera auto-adjusting the brightness to compensate made it hard to show.
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Comments
Christian GROSS Nov 25, 2020 08:27
Hello, do you buy the same modem? Im very interrested. Greetings from Switzerland Chris
ROGAS1508 Jan 03, 2021 00:35
Thank you!!1
Alekandr Jan 31, 2021 23:36
на заказ не думали делать ?
Aleksey Jun 14, 2021 13:04
I will glad to buy it as ready box. Or DIY box. Or book "how to huild your first notebook". Or show your web site where i can buy it. Thank you.
Carlos Dec 08, 2021 13:24
Dear Friend, Good Work. Could you show me where can i get the STL files, to "zx spectrum next laptop " on first version? Please, Thank you very much for your attention.
qeimair Jul 16, 2022 22:30
Really great job dude!
[email protected] Jun 30, 2025 08:29
What? not a pc or raspberry pi included? i have build an rpi4 in a 5" screen case, without batterie and will try it later.
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