Z80 @ 3.5Mhz - 16KB ROM - 16KB or 48KB versions available

The ZX Spectrum had arrived. After two tempting computers (or "micros" as they were called then) Sinclair released what would prove to be the most popular model - and was revised right up until the spectrum ceased production with the +3 in 1990. This really was the start of something big.

The Spectrum had Rick Dickinson's hand in designing it again, only this time with the keyboard. The internals were designed by Sinclair's Richard Altwasser.

Originally dubbed the "ZX82" or "ZX81 colour" it was obvious from the start that this computer needed it's own stable. The name Spectrum, born from it's colour display, had a flash of colours on the black case that really made it stand out. The keys - much better than the ZX80 or ZX81 , were made of rubber this time. Easier to use, but still not quite as good as a real keyboard, it needed time and patience before becoming proficient. The keys and casing of the Spectrum continued the Sinclair tradition of Sinclair BASIC, with keywords and extended modes clearly printed. After only a few hours (and perhaps one of the natty instructional videos of the day) users quickly found themselves able to write programs more quickly than ever before. The Spectrum came with an audio input and output, for connection to a suitable tape recorder. With the tape recorder, usually available in a bundle with the computer, programs and games could be loaded and saved, much like the ZX81 - although at a much quicker transfer rate.

As the Spectrum had a colour display, and no need for a "Fast" or "Slow" mode, as per the ZX81, users and 3rd party software developers could quickly create vibrant and interesting games. Add to this that the Spectrum also had sound, which was an on-board "beeper" and games for the first time on the Sinclair platform could really come to life. Because of these advantages, some companies (Codemasters the most prominent which is still around today) were born out of people's bedrooms - staying up late programming games. Even though it was a great machine to program, however, it still had technical difficulties for programmers to overcome. The colours would suffer from what is known as "attribute clash." This artefact was produced because of the way the Spectrum stores it's colour information. To save on memory, the Spectrum would save only a foreground and background colour for every character square on the screen. This would mean that if a different coloured sprite came close to another sprite, the colour would change to which ever was drawn last, creating very strange effects. By using clever game design this was largely overcame - not that Spectrum owners minded that much. After all, you got used to it, and it never detracted from the gameplay at all.

With the ZX Spectrum came lots of 3rd party games, and lots of peripherals. The year after the Spectrum's release, the Interface 1 - created for the use of Microdrives, RS232 serial connections and a LAN (ZX NET) was debuted to a waiting public. The Microdrive was a tape driven fast storage device - ideal for the enthusiast but lost on the general home user. It was one of those things that you always wanted, but probably wouldn't have a use for if you did! Also the Interface 2 was released, which allowed the use of game cartridges and 2 joysticks to be connected to the Spectrum. Although a great interface, and clearly a way to try and shoe-horn into the then dominant Atari games console market, the lack of cartridges for the Spectrum shrunk it's demand (and at over twice the price of the cassette versions, it's no wonder.)

The price of the original Spectrum when released, came in at £125 for the 16K version and £175 for the 48K. Although more expensive than the ZX81, the potential was obvious and people loved it. The little Sinclair went on to sell over 200,000 units in it's first year, and at it's peak sold 15,000 units a week to the high-street and mail order companies.

Image sources: Z80 Heaven & Planet Sinclair