ZX USB - Mini ZX Spectrum Microdrive USB Case

The Sinclair ZX Spectrum, released in 1982, was the first ‘home computer’ for many and was without doubt the kickstarter for the UK's now massive Game Development industry.

Retro Games have caputured the essense of that legendary machine with “The Spectrum”, a truly excellent modern take on that design classic.

Additional games can be added via USB, but having a clunky USB stick sitting out the back utterly ruins the aesthetic, one of the reasons The Spectrum works so well.

So this is a small USB case that resembles a shrunken down ZX Spectrum Microdrive, one of its accessories at the time.

It can of course be used with anything, not just The Spectrum!

Other Parts

For this I used a Verbatim 16Gb USB, named “Verbatim 97464 16GB Store n Stay NANO USB” on Amazon, and the case snaps together around it. Make sure it is the right way up!

Printing

For printing I used a 0.16mm layer height, but smaller will probably give petter results. The Top part had Normal/Snug supports, with a 0.25mm Top Z Distance and 0.2mm Top interface spacing, plus Mouse Ear brim for bed adhesion as it is small. I also slowed the printing down, especially for the Top Layer. I did a filament change at the relevant layer to get the Red lettering. The Bottom part prints as-is.

Other Versions

A version of this was available retail, but it was a limited run and is now long out of stock, hence making this model.

Another take on here by jonnieZG is ZX Microdrive USB Drive Case which is definitely cuter, but uses a card-style USB stick instead.

If you like this model, then please:

EdinBearDragon