Sinclair ZX81 Gets A Brain Transplant
By James Grahame
I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry; it's now possible to stuff an entire PC into the space formerly occupied by a Sinclair ZX81. And, mercifully, the horrific membrane keyboard is disabled.
The secret to this diminutive mod is a VIA EPIA Pico-ITX motherboard mated to a miniature power supply [possibly one of these?] and a suitably skinny hard drive. The system runs Ubuntu Linux at speeds unimaginable in 1982. In fact, this might be the first time in recorded history that a Sinclair ZX81 can actually be classified as a Really Useful Computer.
The ZX81 was built around only four integrated circuits (some had an extra RAM chip, for a total of five), an RF modulator, and some discrete components. Because of its simplicity, Sinclair offered it as a kit for $99.95, or fully assembled for $149.95. Hundreds of thousands were sold, guaranteeing a virtually endless supply on eBay.
Take a peek at Unravelled's ZX81 flickr set for more hardcore ZX81 modding shots. [via technabob]
related:
Build Your Own Sinclair ZX81... To Satisfy Your Lust For Power?!
Timex Sinclair 1000: My First Computer
My Favorite Oddball Microcomputers
