Sinclair ZX-81 Expansion

[granz]

New article from Hack-A-Day:

Every ZX81 Expansion Card You Ever Wanted, All At Once

https://hackaday.com/2026/09/15/every-zx81-expansion-card-you-ever-wanted-all-at-once/

[Chris Savage]

That's pretty impressive. Too bad I don't have, and never did have, a ZX81.

[MicroNut]

I have been a member of the forum that the Openspand is mentioned since 2008 and I posted on that blog as oldZX81user. The Openspand is based on the ZXspand that was expensive and hard to get. The developer of the ZXSpand retired it due to parts getting harder to find, I'm glad that someone picked up the torch and made it more feasible with modern less expensive parts. I may make one someday.

[granz]

The ZX-81 was my first computer. I did upgrade it to 16K of RAM, a printer, and a 22/44-pin edge connector on the back for Radio Shack proto-boards.


However, the most important upgrade, in my opinion, is the "real" keyboard. I was never great at woodwork, and so my keyboard just sat there, connected by a bunch of wires soldered to the ZX-81 motherboard; my friend who I convinced to buy a ZX-81 built a nice wooden case for his keyboard - I was a bit jealous.

Unfortunately, the above upgrade doesn't address the flat, membrane keyboard.

I do miss my old ZX-81, but not enough to do much about it. I gave away my ZX/TS computers, and have no real regrets. Although, I would not mind (actually would really like) getting a Timex Sinclair TS-2068. That is the computer that I put into an old 50mm ammunition can along with a Sears 5" portable black-and-white television and a small tape recorder, to make my own portable computer. It was about the same size as the old Osborne, but (due to the extreme weight of the ammo can) was considerably heavier - my shoulders hurt after carrying it for only a short time.

[JKnightandKARR]

Ok that looks pretty cool, I may have to download the files.