---
product_id: 52592385
title: "The ZX Spectrum ULA: How to Design a Microcomputer (ZX Design Retro Computer)"
price: "₨1298"
currency: SCR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.sc/products/52592385-the-zx-spectrum-ula-how-to-design-a-microcomputer-zx
store_origin: SC
region: Seychelles
---

# The ZX Spectrum ULA: How to Design a Microcomputer (ZX Design Retro Computer)

**Price:** ₨1298
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** The ZX Spectrum ULA: How to Design a Microcomputer (ZX Design Retro Computer)
- **How much does it cost?** ₨1298 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sc](https://www.desertcart.sc/products/52592385-the-zx-spectrum-ula-how-to-design-a-microcomputer-zx)

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## Description

Buy The ZX Spectrum ULA: How to Design a Microcomputer (ZX Design Retro Computer) Illustrated by Smith, Chris R. (ISBN: 9780956507105) from desertcart's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

Review: Nerd heaven! - If you grew up in the British 80's, you probably either had or knew somebody that had the ZX spectrum. This book is super nerdy, it covers the design of the ULA chip that was a core chip that was in the specie, the ULA was a custom chip that was responsible for tieing the various other chips inside the spectrum together, it was the bit that made the spectrum, well, the spectrum. The ULA was a forerunner of the PLD and FPGA devices, they were effectively "blank" chips that were configured in the factory. This book strips the chip down to circuit diagrams and explanations of how the ULA worked, what it did, and a whole host of other information. The information inside this book would allow you to create your own working ULA on a modern CPLD or FPGA device. These chips are a common problem when trying to use a spectrum these days, over time many of them have just failed, some had faults from the factory and some were just poor quality, so it might come in handy if you ever wanted to create your own....although there are people around who have already done this and you can buy replacement "modern" ULA's that plug straight into an old speccy to bring it back to life. Not a book for people who do not understand digital logic or electronics (at least at a basic level), but interesting non-the-less.
Review: Very well written and edited. Extremely informative. A great read. - This is a very detailed and well written and highly informative book. 100% recommended to anyone who ever wondered how the famous Sinclair ZX Spectrum actually made pixels happen inside of a television screen.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | 488,191 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 199 in Computer Architecture & Microprocessors 10,211 in Engineering & Technology |
| Customer reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (147) |
| Dimensions  | 15.24 x 1.73 x 22.86 cm |
| Edition  | Illustrated |
| ISBN-10  | 0956507107 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0956507105 |
| Item weight  | 472 g |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 324 pages |
| Publication date  | 29 July 2010 |
| Publisher  | ZX Design and Media |

## Images

![The ZX Spectrum ULA: How to Design a Microcomputer (ZX Design Retro Computer) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71-W9c82tuL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nerd heaven!
*by A***E on 31 December 2021*

If you grew up in the British 80's, you probably either had or knew somebody that had the ZX spectrum. This book is super nerdy, it covers the design of the ULA chip that was a core chip that was in the specie, the ULA was a custom chip that was responsible for tieing the various other chips inside the spectrum together, it was the bit that made the spectrum, well, the spectrum. The ULA was a forerunner of the PLD and FPGA devices, they were effectively "blank" chips that were configured in the factory. This book strips the chip down to circuit diagrams and explanations of how the ULA worked, what it did, and a whole host of other information. The information inside this book would allow you to create your own working ULA on a modern CPLD or FPGA device. These chips are a common problem when trying to use a spectrum these days, over time many of them have just failed, some had faults from the factory and some were just poor quality, so it might come in handy if you ever wanted to create your own....although there are people around who have already done this and you can buy replacement "modern" ULA's that plug straight into an old speccy to bring it back to life. Not a book for people who do not understand digital logic or electronics (at least at a basic level), but interesting non-the-less.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very well written and edited. Extremely informative. A great read.
*by L***N on 3 November 2024*

This is a very detailed and well written and highly informative book. 100% recommended to anyone who ever wondered how the famous Sinclair ZX Spectrum actually made pixels happen inside of a television screen.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ An interesting read
*by R***Y on 17 May 2013*

Interesting blend of history/people and technology. I was looking for an overview of the Spectrum hardware (I did not have one back in the day) and where the ULA fitted in to that (Ferranti also did the ULA for the Acorn Electron) and this book hit the nail on the head for me. I particularly wanted to know how the graphics on the machine worked. Some of it way over my head, but the information I was looking for was definitely there and explained well. Short chapters, so easy to skim the technical detail I wasn't interested in and get back into my comfort zone, and didn't feel there was unnecessary padding. Criticisms - minor one - I think the second chapter - very low-level detail on integrated circuits - might have been better placed at the end of the book or as an appendix. For me it was really heavy going for such an early chapter and it didn't get the book off to a good start ... but I persevered and it swiftly picked up in chapter 3 onwards. Not sure I would be able to "design a microcomputer" after reading this book, but definitely a good read from a programmer's perspective.

## Frequently Bought Together

- The ZX Spectrum Ula: How to Design a Microcomputer (ZX Design Retro Computer)
- Spectrum Machine Language for the Absolute Beginner (Retro Reproductions)

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*Product available on Desertcart Seychelles*
*Store origin: SC*
*Last updated: 2026-03-04*