Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 / Z88 Forums

Hi,

SirMorris - are they already out? A guy from university wanted to order one.

Is it possible, or is it too late?

Byez.
Y

There will be some more ready soon. I'll let you know.

Thank You very much, I already forwarded this message.
HNY.

Hi Charlie, do you keep a waiting list for the next batch of ZXpands?

I'd like to express my keenness to buy one

Cheers, Robs

No list as such, I can pop a message here next time a batch goes up. Most people add a watch for the item on SellMyRetro. I try to re-use the same auction listing each time so that the alerts are valid.

There should be some soon.

C

Sweet, cheers! Watch it shall be.

Sorry, I realise it's probably a thankless and Sisyphean task selling small-batch hardware. Endless stream of eager and impatient punters, while the satisfied ones are sat there in their spare bedroom not bothering you any more

colonel32 wrote:Sorry, I realise it's probably a thankless and Sisyphean task selling small-batch hardware. Endless stream of eager and impatient punters, while the satisfied ones are sat there in their spare bedroom not bothering you any more

Because they are having too much fun....

(Sorry, that's not very helpful )

Mr C has made many Zeddy owner happy, hopefully he will make you happy soon

Mark

I'm surprised to see that I'm reaching the last of the previous batch of PCBs. I didn't expect that so soon. I'm considering a redesign to use more accessible chips. I can't keep sourcing EPROMS, GALs and now very expensive DIP RAMs.

There is ZXpand 2, which I could theoretically take up again as it was basically working (just very very frustrating on the programmable logic side of things), but I suspect now that the AY potential is what drives demand.

Does the panel think that it's time for a new design?

C

That is a very difficult decision.
If ZXPand is not available for a while there is Pokemons ZXBlast available that might kill demand for ZXPand. It's very different but it's also very promising.
I'd first have a look wether you are willing to invest another lot of time into this. Specially into the manufacturing.
In doubt I would just order a smaller batch of old PCBs and make them.
For eprom you could use the cheap W27C512.
I always use them (even if only 16 k out of 64 are used) and order them from China.
RAM Is definitely an issue while GALs are available again at reasonable prices.
Maybe just redesign ZXPand 1 to use a cheap SMD RAM? Otherwise, stay with the old RAM and increase the price.... This could also make manufacturing more attractive for you
I hope my thoughts are useful to you.
kind regards Paul