1980 Sinclair ZX80
After the modest but encouraging success of the MK-14 (initiation board with hexadecimal keyboard), Sinclair (at the time Sciences of Cambridge) decided to develop a slightly more advanced computer.
The ZX-80 is regarded as a pioneer system in micro-computing as at the time the only available computers were kits for hobbyists like the MK-14 or more expensive systems intended for education or research such as the Tandy TRS-80 or the Commodore PET.
The ZX-80 inaugurated the transition between the hobbyist world and the consumer electronics by proposing a true computer in its case for less than £100.
Technically, the ZX-80 is not a revolutionary system but is rather the result of a search for economy through the choice of the components, starting with the membrane keyboard, or the RAM memory limited to 1kb. The operating system, the editor and the Basic interpreter fit into the 4kb of the ROM !
The ZX-80 met some success with nearly 70.000 machines sold in less than one year, announcing the future success of the ZX-81 and at the same time the birth of a new major actor in the micro-computers world : Sinclair Computers Ltd.
| NAME | ZX 80 |
| MANUFACTURER | Sinclair |
| TYPE | Home Computer |
| ORIGIN | United Kingdom |
| YEAR | February 1980 |
| END OF PRODUCTION | 1981 |
| BUILT IN LANGUAGE | Sinclair Basic |
| KEYBOARD | Membrane keyboard, 40 keys, 1 SHIFT key |
| CPU | NEC 780C-1 (Z80 compatible) |
| SPEED | 3.25 MHz |
| RAM | 1 KB, 901 bytes available (upgradable to 64 KB) |
| ROM | 4 KB. Can be expended to 8 KB, thereby making it almost a ZX81 |
| TEXT MODES | 32 chars. x 22 lines |
| GRAPHIC MODES | 64 x 44 dots |
| COLORS | Monochrome |
| SOUND | None |
| SIZE / WEIGHT | 21,9 (W) x 17,5 (D) x 4 (H) cm / 375 gr |
| I/O PORTS | Z80 Bus, tape, TV/RF video |
| POWER SUPPLY | 9v DC, external PSU |
| PERIPHERALS | 16 KB RAM extension |
| PRICE | Kit model: £79.95 (UK, 1980) 255 € (Germany, 1980) Assembled model : £99.95 (UK, 1980), 190 € (France, 1980) 16K RAM module: 127 € (Germany) |
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Filed under: 80s Computers - @ January 31, 2022 11:40 AM