ZX Spectrum Next (and compatibles) QL Core now available!

[vox]

Yes. I believe we'll be ready around April 2025. There are only bureaucratic hurdles to bypass otherwise we're ready for production right now. Our last stock was sold for 305 and 335 GBP respectively. How much people charge is insane. There's an Artix version of XBerry Pi coming soon too so you'll be able to get a full KS2 style machine minus the keyboard (but you can still buy a mechanical N-Go keyboard) for less than 250 euros

Thanks, I ll stop QL funding and get ready, since I have import fees and P&P as non EU, as well as double VAT. Please remind us here before it kicks out

[Peter]

The only way that stops me from taking Next 2 instead of hard road to find usable QL and expand it is - even worse availability of Next 2 and crazy ebay prices like 1000 euros per new packed Next 2.

If you want to go the FPGA route for QL purposes, there are easier and cheaper solutions.

[vox]

If you want to go the FPGA route for QL purposes, there are easier and cheaper solutions.

I am aware of Q68, but NEXT Has very nice ports incl Wi Fi, great casing alike Plus and QL, big manual, several other cores, ZX128 compatibility and some software of its own, and QL is just cherry on top. With excerpt of MEGA65 one of best FPGA advancements I have seen, so I am very keen of it. Plus its way cheaper then QL plus net solution, HDMI solution, SD solution and has greater reliability.
Having ability to use both Classic Spectrum BASIC and SuperBASIC on same machine brings me great joy As well as access to ZX48 classics, ZX128 games I ve never played, Russian more advanced ZX128 stuff, QL stuff and several NEXT titles.
Like backward compatibile QL, but done other way around. Too bad FPGA did not exist at time ZX83 aka QL was planned.

[Peter]

I am aware of Q68, but NEXT Has very nice ports incl Wi Fi, great casing alike Plus and QL, big manual, several other cores, ZX128 compatibility and some software of its own, and QL is just cherry on top. With excerpt of MEGA65 one of best FPGA advancements I have seen, so I am very keen of it. Plus its way cheaper then QL plus net solution, HDMI solution, SD solution and has greater reliability.

There is also QIMSI Gold for standalone use. There seem to be some misunderstandings about Q68 and QIMSI Gold, but I don't want to go into a comparison to the Spectrum Next here. Just one thing: I reject that they were less reliable as QL compatibles than a Spectrum Next.

[Derek_Stewart]

I am aware of Q68, but NEXT Has very nice ports incl Wi Fi, great casing alike Plus and QL, big manual, several other cores, ZX128 compatibility and some software of its own, and QL is just cherry on top. With excerpt of MEGA65 one of best FPGA advancements I have seen, so I am very keen of it. Plus its way cheaper then QL plus net solution, HDMI solution, SD solution and has greater reliability.

There is also QIMSI Gold for standalone use. There seem to be some misunderstandings about Q68 and QIMSI Gold, but I don't want to go into a comparison to the Spectrum Next here. Just one thing: I reject that they were less reliable as QL compatibles than a Spectrum Next.

Hi,

I think the Q68, QIMSI are excellent products, I do not think they are in competition with the Spectrum Next, due giving different solutions, and both run SMSQ/E and the Next does not.

Thought the Next project team, seem to think the Q68 is a competitor. Which is utter rubbish, I produce the Q68 from Peter's excellent design, and I am one person performing the construction, supply of finished product, from a safety of my bedroom, in true retro style. Not using a third party company top produce the finished product.

Please do nor get me wrong, I like the Next, and by one, along with the QIMSI Gold, as I am a enthusiastic computer user at the end of the day.

[vox]

There is also QIMSI Gold for standalone use. There seem to be some misunderstandings about Q68 and QIMSI Gold, but I don't want to go into a comparison to the Spectrum Next here. Just one thing: I reject that they were less reliable as QL compatibles than a Spectrum Next.

I ment compared to 1984 QL.

I know Q68 specs, where can I find QIMSI Gold specs and pricing

[Peter]

You can look at the QIMSI Gold manual: https://www.theqlforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=56909
Now that I learned you want the non-QL stuff of the Spectrum Next, I don't think it fits your requirement.

[vox]

[quote=QuantumLeapGR post_id=60453 time=1733370716 user_id=1832

Note: it's not YET compatible with either Aurora modes or SMSQ/e
[/quote]

QL Core seems to be growing seriously, and will be selectable from OS menu.
And feature set is quite impressive - its much more affordable and less hustle then
gathering same set of upgrades or even QL68, so it might be my first QL


https://www.specnext.com/sinclair_ql-qs/
Spectrum NEXT QL core
Specifications

The Sinclair QL Core running on the ZX Spectrum Next has the following specifications (A ‘*’ denotes an Issue 4 only feature:

MC68000 or MC68020 compatible CPU @22 MHz (not cycle-accurate)
HDMI / VGA output (following the selected ZX Spectrum Next mode display selection)
2 Mbytes RAM (1920 Kbytes maximum usable)
Memory Mapped Microdrive Emulation (Microdrive images must conform to the specification set by the QLay emulator) – Other mdv images supported via the MDI driver (freely available)
AY/YM chip (QSound)
Mode 8 with 16 colours by disabling the ‘FLASH’ bit and special PRINT and PLOT commands to address it
Linear Addressing mode with 256 colours (Uses Minerva’s second screen) – Requires Minerva (Included)
QiMi mouse compatibility (via PS/2 port)
Full support for all QL keys. Function keys realised using the yellow button + numeric keys
Next RTC support via specialised commands
Full ESP support via special device / SER3_ alias
QLSD hardware support (Next SPI Interface)
Triple joystick/QL Net/DIY MIDI interface support (With external adapter on the joystick ports)**
Ability to access the Next’s FAT32 FS and transfer files via SDIR, SCOPY commands
PCM Audio *
90 Sprite – Sprite Engine *

Not Yet Supported (but coming sooner rather than later):

Aurora modes
FLP Image support
RPi access
Expansion bus access

[Derek_Stewart]

Hi,

Floppy image support csn be achived by mounting the FLP image with FDI supplied with the Next QL distro.

SDIR, SCOPY are exctable files that can access thd FAT32 partition, it really needs to be a directory device driver.

QL68 ? nit sure what is, do you mean Q68.

[vox]

QL68 ? nit sure what is, do you mean Q68.

Yes, to me its easier to remember it as QL.
As usual human memory is fragile