The N-Go Spectrum Next Clone gets a new case! Is it any good? Well....
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ย. 2022
- In a recent episode I mentioned the Manuferhi case and keyboard for the n-go Spectrum Next clone board. I got one so let's put it together and see what it's like!
This episode has been sponsored by our good friends at PCBWay.com - Check out their website for all your PCB fabrication needs. pcbway.com - PCBs for as little as $5!
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
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Links
manuferhi.com - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
I just got one of these a couple months ago and I love it! As an American, I didn't grow up with this computer, but I did grow up with other 8-bit computers so I can appreciate what this one was doing during it's day. I am having a blast with my new N-GO and look forward to seeing this community grow in the future.
I was an Atari 8-Bit boy but I must say, you Speccy kids over there in the U.K. had much cheaper games on average and not to mention how much more affordable the ZX Spectrum microcomputer itself was compared to the Atari 8-Bits and the Commodore 64. I must admit to being a bit envious that you guys could buy games for your Speccy for a few pounds or less, I have heard that some kids could buy a game a week with their weekly allowances. So jealous lol.
I have a KS1 Next, and an N-Go. I went for the white Manuferhi case, just so that I had the contrast with the original Next. I love both of them tbh. The Next has a great feel to its keyboard, and the N-Go has an Electron keyboard vibe imo. I use both frequently. Great vid. Keep up the good work!!
The fact that your voice is also the voice from the computer in Red Dwarf is a wonderful coincidence. It’s a genuine bonus that goes very well with how much I really enjoy your videos for their content. Keep up the great work 🥰
Just got my N-go and love it
Some might grumble about it being a "clone". But those people would do well to be reminded that the Next came about due to the Spectrum clone market in Brazil.
The Next is the real thing. Being inspired by popular demand isn't demeaning in any way.
It's a year later now, and this and the previous video inspired me to buy the N-GO!
Showing my age here - reminds me of a DK Tronics ZX-81 replacement case...
That's really great! Nice that there are more options today than there were in the past. My family is fortunate to have a ZX Spectrum 48k and the 128K +2 models. I was VERY tempted to get the NEXT but the cost has made me stay away, especially since it's so inexpensive to get the original hardware. I like this alternative you found! Looks great
Yes I have one and I assembled it about a year ago however I had an extra piece with you didn't have there an extra bar that goes across , as always enjoyed watching somebody else build one great video always being a supporter of your channel and long may it continue ,Retro Robbins
I have the exact same N-GO and case. I absolutely love it! I missed out on both official NEXT kickstarters, so I ordered one as "the next best thing", and I couldn't be happier. I do like the look and design of the official case, but the keyboard on the N-GO is fantastic. Thanks! Great video!
Love this design and just ordered my complete N-Go bundle from Manuferhi
Absolutely love the design!
Having been part of the Spectrum Next project from the very beginning - maybe you can recognise my nick, when looking at the NMI about screen - I'm still fiddling around with the Next.
Owning "Just The Board", "the 1st Next" and an "n-GO" I have to say that Manuel's case is the one I like most.
"Just The Board" sits in a replica 48k case which doesn't suite me well as it creaks noticeably and the reproduced keymat isn't the real dead flesh. The 1st batch Next is only for the showcase-, the 2nd one is delayed, ...
But what impresses me the most is the keyboard of the n-GO.
Using IBM- and Cherry keyboards for the last two-, or three decades now, I really enjoy the keyboard of this device. Especially as the printing of the keykaps is pretty well done.
Thanks to Manuel for producing this.
P.S.: EDIT
By the way: I've added a diode to the cable of the power switch. This makes that connecting an old ZX Spectrum PSU doesn't kill your board. 😁
This N-GO case and keyboard looks awesome! That reminds me the well known DkTronics keyboard that was a mod. When I was young i was able to get a new Ti99 4/a keyboard that I've remapped and connected to a spare 48K model, but yes this one looks way better 😅
Great video once again keep them coming 😊 I've used black heat shrink tubing on my posts to make them Matt black as it adds to the look👍
Reminds of the same style and design of the monster joystick boxes. 🙂
I've just taken delivery of a fully assembled N-GO from Manuel. Love it. The keyboard is excellent. I also have a Next but don't use it much because I can't get on with the keyboard.
The Next is fully upgraded but I am awaiting delivery of a Pi Zero with the header attached for the N-GO just to bring it up to the same spec.
I Have an NGO in the gloss version of the case. Absolutely love its looks especially as I modded mine to hold a small 11" screen. But because of its quite high front, Coding or playing games on the keyboard for any length of time can be a little uncomfortable on the fleshy bits on the outer parts of your hands as it is a little pointy on the corners but to resolve this i got a 13" mini palm rest off Amazon. Makes it so much more pleasurable to use and whilst it may not be as nice as an actual next keyboard in terms of key positions (the graphics key next to the A can be a pain!) it's still a thousand times better than the dead flesh one
Had mine since it 1st came out and got the white case and keyboard version which was an option at the time. Love the keyboard and for those who have sand paper fingers like me, I use clear nail varnish (don't tell the misses why it's used up quick) on the top of the keys to stop the lettering wearing off.
I just got mine fully built from Spain. I'm just waiting for a wi fi module to plug into the main board. I think it looks great and a very nice keyboard. I still haven't even connected it up to a TV yet.
Great looking case. Almost feels like an unnecessarily large heat sink should be hanging out the right hand side. One in the shape of say…. a toast rack? 😁
Doesnt actually need a heat sink, so might as well just glue a functional toastrack to the side
@@TheTurnipKing clearly you missed the paint that this case has a very Spectrum 128k look about it, or the subtlety of said comment went straight over your head.
Obviously it doesn’t need such a large heatsink.
@@MrLurchsThings or you missed the inherent humor of literally having a functional toast rack on the side of your 8-bit Micro.
It's about the most British,"Your Sinclair"ish thing imaginable short of sticking a Teasmade on the other side.
It looks like an interesting design and the ports/switches are all accessible. To me the Next case looks sleeker and more modern, but this is a good second choice.
the keyboard sounds a lot like the Amstrad CPC464’s keyboard!
I really want one of these.
I love my NGo, and happy enough with it in a retro 48K case until my KS2 Next arrives. I am a little bit tempted by the NGO case, though.
I have this setup (minus the pi) but was so happy to get a Next much earlier, plus a backup (clone) unit until my Spectrum Next v2 arrives. The mechanical keyboard is very satisfying to type on and a nice on/off power switch (which even the Next doesn't have). I want to code on the machine so another rubber keyed Speccy wasn't for me.
But the text is lasered onto a modern mechanical key system rather than the wider setup on a next so the text is quite small. The reason the Spectrums had text not just on the keys, but on the panel surrounding the keys.
The actual case is basic but functional, the N-Go Board is fantastic and the keyboard is lovely to type on.
Perhaps replace the philips screws with hex screws to give the case a hardened military look.
The keyboard may be nice but that case looks like something a famous flat pack furniture store would come up with. To say it looks better than the next oh my poor old Rick Dickinson will be turning in his grave, shame on you 😉. Great video by the way.👍
Must admit the case on first view and assembly did look and feel a little Frankenstein. However, it’s more then made up for by the keyboard quality, if you type a lot on a ZX next ( and why wouldn’t you) you will not be disappointed, love mine.
The keyboard looks and sounds great, but I'm not sure about the flat pack design case (which has been pointed out by others). I've mentioned before that the nostalgia for me comes from the rubber keys and original case with the rainbow flash across the bottom left corner. As good as this case is, it's a no from me 🙂Great video as always.
Thanks Matt! I've always had a soft spot for the rubber keyed wonder myself - but for developing on the next I think I'd rather chop my fingers off :) I think the ol' rubber keys will be my goto for game playing (I never, ever owned a joystick for the Speccy as a kid) but for actually typing things into it... nope :)
I wonder if this keyboard could be coaxed into fitting into a spectrum+ case
I just bought an assembled N-Go... without PI Zero. It looks great. Where can I find a youTube tutorial on it ? thx
I think I'd have to agree with you, that does look like a very nice case. How's the size of the keyboard compared to the ZX Next? For me personally, one minor issue I found with the ZX Next keyboard was that it feels a little cramped. The keys on the N-Go make it look like it's slightly wider but that could be my imagination.
I like the rubber keys.
Do the joystick shells need to be earthed?
Being a year ago now can I ask how the keys have faired wear wise ?
Why has nobody designed a keyboard for the spectrum either rubber key or proper PC style click key which can simply house a raspberry pi emulator inside or even externally?
Surely this would be a cost effective option. Please tell me one of these is available somewhere in this universe?
You may have discovered it by now, but the ZX Spectrum Pico by fruit-bat (which uses the RP2040, not a Pi) was already available at the time you posted your comment. I’m surprised no one responded to your question. It’s still available now via PCBWay. There are also TH-cam videos about it.
Plenty of room in the case for a beefy battery, add an hinged lcd screen and you end up with a Tandy 200 style laptop 😁
When can we use a quad core pi zero as the accelerator what about an art package and what about the pi zero emulating the vdp9990 at least?
looks brilliant :D
I love the keyboard. It's way better than my old Spectrum+ and I think it should be even better than the actual NEXT, although the NEXT does looks better. Anyone who is still using that horrible rubber keyboard which I have no love for, should upgrade to this immediately!
I have the N-Go in the 48K translucent case, (it was the only one in stock at the time), it's awesome.
Does the bar at the rear interfere with interfaces plugged into the edge connector ?
No interference. Everything slots in as it should. :)
@@TheRetroShack Excelent. I have quite a few interfaces I use. (IF1 with M/Drives, IF2, ZX-VIDI, Centronics, plus a couple of custom ones I made myself.)
Can you use the N-GO keyboard with a classic Speccy 48K or 128K Toastrack?
Will those ordering one from the UK be charged an additional 20% VAT upon delivery?
_Translator:_
I don't like this type of computer case. But this one with this keyboard looks exceptionally good 👍
I wish i could get a next at a decent price.
Would wonder if anyone has a 3D printer version of a case for the motherboard?
Can I ask which D type socket you bought and where from please ?
Excellent, thanks for the video
Very odd decision regarding the joystick ports; the lack of mechanical support combined with solder-pad mounting (not sure if can be called 'surface mount' in this configuration?) would make me cringe every time I (un)plugged a joystick. I suppose that's less of an issue if Bluetooth controllers are supported (are they?).
I'm defo interested. Anyone know what post Brexit costs of shipping this to the UK are these days? Are there customs charges? And are these currently available anyway, shows as out of stock at the moment...
I would buy it if I didn’t have to move the joystick ports , would be easier to just cut 2 new holes in the front plate
All this Speccy clone stuff just increases my longing for a Jupiter Ace clone.
If "effing and jeffing" a This Country tribute or does the term have independent existence from "The Vicar"?
Been saying it for years :)
I would love to get one of these but I'm in Canada 🇨🇦
I think there is not any problem to buy one and send it to Canada. Of course... some VAT could be charged. But at the end will be cheaper than the KS2
Each to their own but I think it looks horrible. The keyboard itself looks great, but it looks like it fits together like a Kinder Egg toy to me!
Even if the keyboard costs 150, there is no way that the case costs more than like 20. Its just some laser cut mdf oder acrylic
@@harisalic2568 Right and the case and keyboard costs 125 Euro, what is your point?
@@thebaldconvict His point is that the outdated price information says a whopping 264 Euros at 0:30...
@@oldguy9051 but even so, that was the whole build including the pcb.
The case and keyboard (the only bit being complained about) was only £125 which since it includes a mechanical keyboard doesn't seem that bad?
I agree, I don't like the case personally but I don't think they are actually charging that much for it.
@@thebaldconvict 125 sounds fair to me but that's mainly for the keyboard with its nice mechanical switches.
Keyboard looks great, but the case looks horrible not my taste at all. Unlike other cases it doesn’t have any nod to the spectrum heritage. I found myself thinking the white case at the beginning looked really good… think that’s the case I’ll get for my current zx Nuvo 128 project:-)
Key legends are not printed very clearly. Mine even started coming off after two weeks of light use and I had to order in keyboard stickers. Pillor at the back is designed in an obstructing place . Case plastic isn't very strong.
It seems like a very cool project, but I have to admit to wishing it were cheaper.
FPGA chips aren't cheap, especially right now. Look at how much DE10 nanos are going for, the board used by the MISTer.
Lord Geoffrey of Effingham. 😁
How much doh-re-me are we talking about all inclusive?
What is the advantage of this over using an emulator on a PC?
None that the average person would notice
The keyboard looks pretty nice, jot sure about the actual case though. Looks bit, erm, cheap i guess.
nice video as always, but i'm afraid that case is ugly. Sinclair himself would balk at it's cheapness. A moulded case in the same shape and dimensions might be good, but it simply doesn't compare to ol dickies designs.
I don't like the design of the case at all. It looks like some makeshift enclosure cobbled together by someone in their garden shed because they were in a desperate hurry. The keyboard itself looks ok, but the rest is devoid of any charm.
It's kind of ugly, be better recreated in laser cut plywood.
I don't like it
That is one ugly, overpriced case and it's not even close to being as nice looking as the Next case.
Spectrum Next is more beautiful than n-go
The Next case was a jolly good proportion of the not-insubstantial cost