The conception of the second run of Kickstarter-backed ZX Spectrum Next computers hasn’t been without it’s hurdles to overcome. The biggest and most unforeseen was that the FGPA chip used in the first run – the computer’s brain – suddenly became unavailable just in time for the batch to be ordered throwing plans into disarray. The Spartan 6 was discontinued without any of the usual End of Life warnings that are usually put out when this kind of product leaves the market.
Since then a second source of a different FPGA chip has been acquired but that needed changes to be made to board and software that would ensure compatibility of all games across both runs of computers – and the good news is that the initial round of factory tests have proven successful and the latest iteration of the Next boards with their new FGPA fire up as expected. While this isn’t a green light that the systems can enter production it’s a nice solid step in the right direction.
The second round of ZX Spectrum Next computers were originally planned for release last August but those timescales were in place before the pandemic struck throwing global supply chains; especially those in the tech sphere; into disarray. This coupled with the subsequent FGPA shortage meant that the release date was missed and the Spectrum Next team had to come together to source new hardware and try and bring things back on track – something that they have now achieved. While it is unlikely that the KS2 ZX Spectrum Next’s will be in anyone’s hands this year, it is now looking promising that 2023 will finally allow another almost-6,000 people to finally get their hands on the updated version of their favourite 8-bit!
