The PicoZX - A Handheld Classic Computer Emulator

Maybe you grew up in the US like me and didn't have any experience with the UK-based Sinclair product line. Or maybe you lived on the other side of the pond and have vivid memories cutting your teeth on Sinclair BASIC while straining your neck in front of your TV. Regardless of which of these people you were, I think you'll love this project - it's called the PicoZX, and it's a handheld classic computer emulator created by a talented maker named Peter Misenko (aka Bobricius).

In this video, I'll walk you through this really neat device and show you how to build one from start to finish. We'll then load it up with a couple of emulators and see what we can do with it.

Thank you to PCBWay for sponsoring this video and providing the PCBs to build this amazing device. Check out the links below, and order yourself a set so you can build your own classic handheld computer.

🔩 Common Parts (used for both versions)
- Main PCB: https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
- Faceplate PCB: https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
- Battery PCB: https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
- Bottom Edge PCB: https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
- Raspberry Pi Pico: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17829
- 2.8" IPS LCD: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/325680...
- MicroSD Card Slot: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WZWH7MP
- 18650 Battery Holder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1JG6CFQ
- TP4056 Battery Charging Module: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F7QSLN7
- 7mm 100gf tact switches (50): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- Power Switch: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- Speaker: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B...
- 10 ohm resistors (4): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- 4.7 kilo-ohm resistor (1): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- 0.1uF capacitor (1): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- 10uF capacitor (1): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- BSS123 MOSFETs (2): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- BSS84 MOSFET (1): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- Schottky Diode (1): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...

🔩 "Slim" Version Parts (in addition to the common parts above)
- Top Edge PCB: https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
- Side Edge PCBs (2): https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...

🔩 "Full" Version Parts (in addition to the common parts above)
- Top Edge PCB: https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
- Side Edge PCBs (2): https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
- DE-15 Female Connector: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- DE-9 Male Connector: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- 3.5mm Audio Jack: https://www.tme.com/us/en-us/details/...
- USB-B Port: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- USB-A Port: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- 470 ohm resistors (3): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- 1 kilo-ohm resistors (3): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- 82 ohm resistors (2): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- 0.1uF capacitor (1): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...
- 4.7 kilo-ohm resistor (1): https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...

⛓️ Links Mentioned
- PCBWay 6th Annual Design Competition: https://www.pcbway.com/activity/6th-p...
- PCBWay PicoZX Project Page: https://www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
- PicoZX Hackaday Page: https://hackaday.com/2023/06/21/a-pic...
- FruitBat ZX Spectrum Emulator: https://github.com/fruit-bat/pico-zxs...
- MCUME Emulators: https://github.com/Jean-MarcHarvengt/...

• #science_technology
• #zx_spectrum
• #picozx
• #commodore_64
• #c64
• #atari
• #soldering
• #maker