$180 Zeal 8-bit Computer Complete Edition is an all-in-one retrocomputing papers supported on the Zilog Z80 microprocessor – Information Global Internet

The Zeal 8-bit Computer Complete Edition is a grouping that aims to alter retrocomputing to the past geezerhood with the assistance of a motherboard shapely around the Zilog Z80 microprocessor and individual peripherals.

The Zeal 8-bit Computer send began in primeval 2021 and has been free in bits and pieces since then. Now, a finalized edition tagged the “Complete Edition” is primed for promulgation to the public. It promises a past retrocomputing undergo with the naivety of retrospective computers and hold for relatively past features such as VGA graphics, TF cards, and NOR flash.

The Zeal 8-bit Computer Complete Edition includes the mass components: the Zeal 8-bit Computer motherboard, the Zeal 8-bit Video Board, and a 3D-printed insertion with a contact device for motion the commission on/off.

The Zeal 8-bit Video Board is supported on a Lattice ECP5 FPGA and crapper production up to 6536 colours via VGA. It also has a 3.5mm diddley for audio, a microSD bill slot, and a intensity wheel.

The Zeal 8-bit Computer Complete Edition specifications:

•   Zeal 8-bit Computer motherboard, with Zilog Z80 processor @ 10MHz
  • Memory – 512KB RAM
  • Storage – 256KB NOR winkle (upgradeable to 512KB), 32KB I²C EEPROM (writable from the Zeal 8-bit OS),
  • 64K (16-bit) formal come expanse size, 4MB (22-bit) fleshly come expanse size
  • PS/2 keyboard interface, harmonious with 104-key keyboards
  • PS/2 recording bill connector
  • Other Interfaces
    • 16-pin individual opening with I2C, UART, and GPIOs
    • 50-pin spreading port
  • Peripherals – Game controllers, recording cards, frequence cards, keypads, cartridges, auto flash, etc
  • Integrated I2C real-time measure module
  • Power Supply – 5V @ 500mAh via USB-C
  • Dimensions – 15 x 10mm
• Zeal 8-bit Video Board
  • FPGA – Lattice Semiconductor ECP5 FPGA
  • MicroSD bill slot
  • Outputs – VGA (up to 6536 colors), 3.5mm jack
  • Video
    • Resolutions: 640 x 480, 320 x 240
    • Color depth: 16-bit, RGB565
    • Video RAM: ~80KB of interior memory
    • Memory: 128KB of mapped memory
  • 2x 20-pin 2.54mm movement charabanc connector to enter Zeal 8-bit Computer or some added 8-bit computer.
  • 2-pin 2.54mm movement DMA connector (currently unused)
  • USB Type-C noesis signaling (for utilization purposes)
  • Misc – Volume wheel, 1x noesis LED, 2x general-purpose LEDs
• Enclosure – 3D-printed albescent polymer case

The Zeal 8-bit send aims to display “a simple, ease powerful, 8-bit computer, confident of outputting graphics, that crapper be utilised to see most electronics and low-level programming.”

The machine crapper be programmed in gathering and C, with hold for more languages on the way. It comes pre-installed with Zeal 8-bit OS, a portable, open-source operative grouping cursive all in Z80 Assembly. It also comes with a pre-installed bootloader, so you crapper rush assorted operative systems without reflashing the ROM. The Zeal 8-bit operative grouping is ease a work-in-progress and developers/retrocomputing enthusiasts are pleased to movement in to support boost the project.

It is doable to ingest the Zeal 8-bit machine without the recording bill by using a USB-to-UART / USB-to-TTL musician to wage a recording programme on a patron Windows or UNIX computer.

The Zeal 8-bit Computer Complete Edition crapper be bought for $180 on Tindie. You crapper also clear player for a 3D-printed insertion and individual clothing boards such as a backplane, a GameBoy adapter, and an SNES someone adapter. To ingest the computer, you module also requirement a 5V USB noesis cater and a USB-UART musician to designate accumulation to added machine (both not included).

The Zeal8bit website has such more careful aggregation most the papers and its advancement over the years. The YouTube channel has individual videos that shew the 8-bit computer’s capabilities. The Zilog Z80 microprocessor featured in this machine has been discontinued after most 50 years, but added alternatives are completely compatible.

Via Hackster.io

Tomisin is a illustrator specializing in element creation reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is rattling aroused most diminutive modify bourgeois and single-board computers.

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