I got back into the Retro computing scene over the last couple of months, it's very active. The price isn't bad (especially when you look at the prices of origi

I got back into the Retro computing scene over the last couple of months, it's very active. The price isn't bad (especially when you look at the prices of original ZX Spectrum 128K, some Amigas, etc.), and you can find original 48k versions on eBay for <$100. If you don't want to shell out for a Next (and you don't want to wait a year for one), pickup one from eBay, get a new switch mode PSU like a Triad [1]. While you're getting a new PSU, order the replacement capacitors as the originals don't age well [2]. Modify the RF output to composite [3], or get a VGA [4] or HDMI video interface [5] (the VGA and HDMI quality is amazing, but probably because I had a 13" black and white Ferguson TV back in the day). Finally, most of the units I picked up have broken keyboard membranes so you'll need one of those too [6]. Cases, rubber keyboards and keyboard covers are all available, you can make even the most well-used speccy look like new - and good to go for another 40 years. There are loads of great resources out there, one of my favorites is the Tynemouth Software blog [7] - loads of great mods for old machines. It'll lead you down a rat-hole, and before you know it you'll be making music demos on a ZX81 [8] and spending money on SellMyRetro [9]! [1] - https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/553-WSU090-2000-R https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/553-WSU090-2000-R [2] - https://www.mouser.com/ProjectManager/ProjectDetail.aspx?AccessID=399546db16 https://www.mouser.com/ProjectManager/ProjectDetail.aspx?Acc... [3] - https://spectrumforeveryone.com/technical/composite-mod-for-the-48k-range/ https://spectrumforeveryone.com/technical/composite-mod-for-... or https://www.tindie.com/products/projectspeccy/zx-spectrum-flat-composite-kit/ https://www.tindie.com/products/projectspeccy/zx-spectrum-fl... [4] - https://www.sintech-shop.de/en/zx-vga-joy-interface-for-zx-spectrum-vga-and-joystick/a-10303 https://www.sintech-shop.de/en/zx-vga-joy-interface-for-zx-s... [5] - https://www.bytedelight.com/?page_id=1800 https://www.bytedelight.com/?page_id=1800 [6] - https://zxrenew.co.uk/ZX-Spectrum-16k-48k-keyboard-membrane-p69999647 https://zxrenew.co.uk/ZX-Spectrum-16k-48k-keyboard-membrane-... [7] - http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk [8] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eabTH9F2RVM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eabTH9F2RVM [9] - https://www.sellmyretro.com https://www.sellmyretro.com