The sinclair zx81. The ZX81 was available as a kit for £49.

The sinclair zx81. A year later, the ZX81 became available through retailers, introducing home computing to a generation, with more that 1. That means, it can be built with all parts still readily available today. The ZX81's compact design and low price made it accessible to a broad audience, contributing to the rise of home computing Jun 7, 2007 · Mr Sinclair founded Sinclair Radionics Ltd of St Ives. k. Aug 12, 2025 · The ZX81 +38 blends retro computing charm with modern usability. In 1980, the company entered the home computer market with the ZX80 at £99. View and Download Sinclair ZX81 user manual online. (There is a text version available too. The software available on this page will run on the Sinclair ZX81, Timex/Sinclair 1000, and Timex/Sinclair 1500. Mar 5, 2021 · It has been 40 years since the launch of Sinclair's ZX81, a device that welcomed countless Brits to the delights of home computing at the dawn of the 1980s. Sinclair Computers (renamed S… The ZX81, Sinclair's third computer, sparked a popular mania for computing following its launch in 1981. Books from British publishers and magazines were available to some Americans, either on the newsstand or through mail order. It featured an 8-bit Zilog Z80 CPU (from which the name of the machine is derived) and just 1K of RAM. Feb 16, 2014 · The Pi uses USB for peripherals, so clearly the ZX81 keyboard has to be capable of being bridged by some USB hardware. By Christmas 1980, it was officially the ZX81. Other very popular computers were the Commodore 64 and the Apple II but were far more expensive (ZX81 was ten times cheaper than Apple II Plus). I’m no electronics expert, but Dave Curran of Tynemouth Software is. In place of a dedicated monitor, the ZX81 was designed to output video to standard television set. 5 million units from 1981. ZX81 desktop pdf manual download. The final testing bench for the ZX81 at Dundee Timex, 3 February 1982 It was launched in the United Kingdom in March 1981 and could be bought by mail order in kit form or pre-assembled, the first inexpensive mass-market home computer that could be bought from high street stores Feb 3, 2022 · The Sinclair ZX81 was available pre-assembled, but it was also sold as a cheaper kit version, to be assembled. There are also many original games for the Zeddy, check Bob's Stuff for some high quality games. At the heart of the the machine beats the mighty Z80 processor, similar to the Osborne 1, TRS-80 Model 1 and a few of my other units. The computer was released in March 1981 in the UK. Launched in England on March 5, 1981, the ZX81 was designed to be a low-cost introduction to home computing for the general public. 5 Aug 15, 2017 · Sinclair ZX81 Overview The Sinclair ZX81 is my first computer, in 1982 (kit). ‎Welcome to a taste of early 1980s home computing. It was launched in the United Kingdom in Apr 23, 2012 · The Sinclair ZX81 was released 1981 in the UK and later in 1982 in a slightly modified form as the Timex Sinclair 1000 in the United States. Nov 10, 2022 · As the supply of genuine retrocomputers dwindles and their prices skyrocket, enthusiasts are turning their eyes in other directions to satisfy their need for 8-bit pixelated goodness. Like its predecessor, it worked in black-and-white, had a dreadful keyboard and no sound. Jan 2, 2024 · The Sinclair ZX81 has 8K BASIC interpreter ROM; the Spectrum has 16K. It uses the Zilog Z80 processor. 95 in kit). com. Sep 30, 2025 · ZX81 (EightyOne) WIP Background 81-libretro is an work in progress port of the EightyOne (a. S. 95, at that time the cheapest personal computer for sale in the United Kingdom. The Sinclair ZX81 Starting in 1981, the ZX81 replaced the ZX80. Features Virtual keyboard with several adjustable properties Control bar with icons for regularly used features Load anytime file The Sinclair ZX81 was the micro that brought computing into the homes of normal people. Mar 17, 2023 · The Sinclair ZX81 was one of the most notable machines of this period and played a significant role in shaping the computing industry. Many standard TTL ICs were integrated into one custom chip, so that the total number of chips was not more than 4. Dec 28, 2024 · Sir Clive Sinclair’s technological masterpiece, the ZX81 personal computer, with its cutting edge graphics, was typecast as a gaming rig, but it was capable of much more. It was one of the first computers available in the United Kingdom for less than a hundred pounds. Shop Vintage on eBay! Discover classic Sinclair ZX81 computers, including rare Timex Corp. bas file extension. The classic ZX81 games are all over the Internet, but check the colorized folder for games with Chroma 81 support. However, unlike the latter, that's about ALL there is to this Mar 15, 2014 · Check out my retro tech T-shirt store Previously on ‘ ZX81: a Raspberry Pi retro restyle ’: I used a headerless Arduino Leonardo to connect a ZX81 microcomputer keyboard to a Raspberry Pi via USB, using code to handle normal, shifted and function-shifted key presses. Description sz81 is a Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 emulator very much based upon the work of Ian Collier's xz80 and Russell Marks's z81 but employing the highly portable SDL and including additional functionality and features for desktop computers and portable devices. It was built by Sinclair Research (who also made the Mk14 kit, ZX Spectrum, ZX80 and QL computers. a. Feb 15, 2025 · The Sinclair ZX81 will always hold a special place in my heart. One of the key features of the ZX81 was its compact size and low cost, making it The Sinclair ZX Printer is a spark printer which was produced by Sinclair Research for its ZX81 home computer. This, and the Sinclair unit, were famous for “wobble,” a condition that resulted in resetting the computer and loss of memory contents. The ZX81 had 8 kB of ROM with approx. Some extended beyond the default 16K, others claimed to address the The Sinclair ZX81 was the third microcomputer built by Sinclair but it had limited functionality. It was launched in the United Kingdom in March 1981 as the successor to Sinclair's ZX80 and designed to be a low-cost introduction to home computing for the general public. ) American Sinclair users were in a unique position not shared with their British counterparts. Shop Vintage on eBay! The Sinclair ZX81 deserves more credit than what's usually given. It appeared on the market at the right time, though,… Discover classic Sinclair ZX81 computers, including rare Timex Corp. The ZX81 was available as a kit for £49. Both machines also ZX81 Collection, the largest online collection of Sinclair ZX81 and TS1000 games, software, books and hardware. It was available ready-built (£69. Domestic magazines and publishers began supporting the Aug 29, 2023 · The ZX81+38 is a clone of the Sinclair ZX81 home computer that replaces the ULA found in the original with standard logic ICs. The "American" version of the ZX81 - the Timex 1000. The successor of the ZX81 is the ZX Spectrum even more popular than the ZX81 The Lip 16K RAM (Sinclair Place) - “The LIP” locks on to prevent the wobbles. Sporting a reduced chip count and new attractive black plastic body the ZX81 was the simplest and most affordable computer of its' time. I also describe this machine in a YouTube video) Arrgg Some would say the ZX81 has to be the most irritating "toy" micro anyone could own. Get the best deals for Sinclair ZX81 at eBay. The machine was shipped in two versions: as a traditional self-assembly kit (right) and, more popularly, as a ready-assembled machine which only needed to be connected to a television and power supply before it could be used. Jul 8, 2019 · The ZX81 is a home computer produced by Sinclair Research and manufactured in Dundee, Scotland by Timex Corporation. Relive the nostalgia. Many kids of my generation programmed in BASIC for the first time using a ZX81. Some extended beyond the default 16K, others claimed to address the Learn ZX81 BASIC programming with Steven Vickers through this comprehensive guide on World Of Spectrum Classic. THE Sinclair Emulator) to libretro. The Sinclair ZX81 was the first popular home computer and was the computer which launched the home computer industry - it came either as a kit for just £49. Sep 17, 2021 · Sinclair ZX81 (Note: Click on the image for a larger view. The successor of this tiny white computer, the ZX81, was sold for the amazing price of 70 pounds, or 100 dollar in the United States. Explore its 3D-printed case, improved keyboard, and more. The computer went on to sell 1. The ZX81 character set is the character encoding used by the Sinclair Research ZX81 family of microcomputers including the Timex Sinclair 1000 and Timex Sinclair 1500. Sinclair’s philosophy was clear: keep things simple, affordable, and accessible. While its successor, the Sinclair Spectrum, got the nation playing computer games, the ZX81 was the tipping Oct 10, 2022 · Home » Computers » Sinclair ZX81 » Articles About the Sinclair ZX81Articles About the Sinclair ZX81 Sinclair Research Ltd is a British consumer electronics company founded by Clive Sinclair in Cambridge in the 1970s. These are a mix of programs for the 1K ZX81 to a Timex/Sinclair 1000 with 64K of RAM. It was hugely successful; more than 1. 1982: July - Timex Computer begins selling the Timex Sinclair 1000 through over 1000 Timex retail outlets. Programs and data were loaded and saved from Jul 5, 2016 · ZX81 Loading Screen Back when Sinclair Research was a glint in Clive’s eye whilst managing his previous company, Sinclair Electronics, Clive had dreamt of an affordable home micro that everyone could buy into. 1982: August - Sinclair Research reports that it has shipped 500,000 ZX81 personal computers in over 30 countries. Graphics characters and inverse video characters are represented using the conventions described in ZXText2P. It succeeded the ZX80 and had an introduction price of only £50 in kit form which made it a very attractive offer despite the computer not being very powerful. We look back at the ZX81 and six of its best games. The ZX81 was initially sold in the United States through a small Sinclair operation. What extra features does the Spectrum put in the extra 8K? The most obvious thing is commands for color graphics, which are abs The ZX81 operates on channel 36 UHF, & when it is first plugged in and properly tuned it gives a picture like this: When using the computer, you will probably want to turn the volume right down. Learn ZX81 BASIC programming with Steven Vickers through this comprehensive guide on World Of Spectrum Classic. Here is the a copy of the original ZX81 Assembly Instructions [PDF], with a list of components and a few schematics: iNSPECTING AND CLEANING THE BOARD The back of the PCB was pretty clean. The ZX81 was an incredibly influential machine that paved the way for other 8-bit computers, including the Commodore 64. TS 1016 RAM pack (Timex Computer Corporation) - Timex’s version of the Sinclair ZX81 16K RAM pack for the Timex/Sinclair 1000. 45M subscribers Subscribed Oct 8, 2020 · The ZX81 was somewhat rushed, and had reliability flaws, but it cost 30% less than its predecessor – naturally, it sold by the proverbial bucket load, and earned Sinclair Research a small fortune. The ZX81's compact design and low price made it accessible to a broad audience, contributing to the rise of home computing Jun 22, 2025 · The ZX81 was a significant improvement, designed in collaboration with Nine Tiles software (who wrote the operating system) and Sinclair’s chief engineer Jim Westwood. The Sinclair ZX81 Jun 22, 2025 · The ZX81 was a significant improvement, designed in collaboration with Nine Tiles software (who wrote the operating system) and Sinclair’s chief engineer Jim Westwood. This app focuses on the Sinclair ZX81 experience and is loaded with example software. Sinclair ZX81 The ZX81 was the follow-up to the ZX80. While many could afford Tandy’s, Apples, and other computers of the time, the rest of us, mortals, simply could not even dream of a computer at home. It was extremely popular, but probably because it cost only $99. [7] In the United States it was Sinclair ZX81 The Sinclair ZX81, developed by Sinclair Research and manufactured by Timex Corporation in Dundee, Scotland, was the first home computer sold in the United States for under $150. The ZX81 is a home computer developed by Sinclair Research and manufactured in Dundee, Scotland, by Timex Corporation. ) The programs are saved in text format with a . It sold over 1. The ZX81 is a home computer developed by Sinclair Research and manufactured in Dundee, Scotland, by Timex Corporation. The Sinclair ZX81 Mar 5, 2023 · Sinclair’s breakthrough home micro still shines over four decades later. 5 million units were sold. Launched in 1981, it had many features that ensured its success: it was cheap – you could buy it for £69. Mar 4, 2011 · Tomorrow, 5 March 2011, marks the 30th anniversary of the arrival of the machine that did more to awaken ordinary Britons to the possibilities offered by home computing: the Sinclair ZX81. Thus the inventor of miniature devices made it possible for hundreds of Mar 11, 2011 · The Sinclair ZX81 was small, black with only 1K of memory, but 30 years ago it helped to spark a generation of programming wizards. If all goes well, we'll see a noticeable speed-up in the execution of BASIC programs. 95) or in kit form (£49. 95 it looked great – unintimidating and even friendly it attached to your TV which it used as a monitor it could be bought from shops in the high street like Jul 5, 2021 · The Sinclair ZX81 was one of the early machines produced by Sinclair, and was the replacement for the ZX80 in 1981 – technically they were almost identical, but whereas the ZX80 used discrete components the ZX81 used a Ferranti ULA (Uncommitted Logic Array), reducing the chip count from 21 to 4 and substantially reducing materials costs. Clockwise from upper left: Box from memory module, ZX81 with RAM module attached on back, Sinclair printer (with two extra paper rolls behind), ZX81 Basic Programming manual, ZX81 assembly guide, ZX81 Assembler tape, ZX81 cassette interface cable. While resourceful owners could accomplish a lot with the 1K or 2K of RAM built in to their computers, more serious uses required more RAM. The sequence \::, for example, represents a black square. Designed as a low-cost introduction to home computing, the ZX81 was designed to be small, simple, and cheap. It wasn’t until that company failed and Clive had started up his new enterprise that this vision was made a reality. 5 million units worldwide. on the basis of the BBC Micro’s success in the UK as a tool for use in schools. org. The encoding uses one byte per character for 256 code points. The zxtext2p command was The ZX81 ROM was 8 KB in size (double that of the ZX80), and contained an updated BASIC interpreter complete with floating-point and trigonometric capability, plus new commands to communicate with the ZX Printer. In May 1982 I had finally saved up 50% of the cost price of £70. Nov 16, 2024 · Retro computer blogging on games, software, electronics, Arduino, Raspberry PI & projects for the Sinclair ZX81, ZX Spectrum & retro other computers. The ZX81 is a small home computer that was quite popular in the early eighties. Features Virtual keyboard with several adjustable properties Control bar with icons for regularly used features Load anytime file Sinclair ZX81 The ZX81 was the follow-up to the ZX80. This significantly reduced the chip count from 21 to 4 and allowed Sinclair to greatly reduce the price of the ZX81 compared to the The Sinclair ZX80 is a home computer launched on 29 January 1980 [2] by Science of Cambridge Ltd. Mar 25, 2023 · The Sinclair ZX81 has a single-core Z80 processor running at 3. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! A collection by Impaler26A port of the original by 8-Bit Show and Tell for the ZX81 May 12, 2025 · Sinclair ZX81 Motherboard This guide provides detailed, component-level troubleshooting for the Sinclair ZX81 home computer, covering both Issue 1 and Issue 2 motherboard revisions. The Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81, introduced in 1980 and 1981, are early budget microcomputers notable for their price, fleeting popularity and diminutive quantity of components. 95 and in assembled form for £69. . It was designed as an affordable entry into computing, selling over 1. Before it, the ZX80 was only really taken up by enthusiasts and electronics buffs, but the 81 broke the barrier. The ZX81 was not the first Sinclair computer product; it replaced the ZX80, which was released in January 1980, offering a number of fixes and The Sinclair ZX81 was the third microcomputer built by Sinclair but it had limited functionality. Background: In 1980 the British company Science of Cambridge (later renamed Sinclair Research) released the Sinclair ZX80 home computer. 30 additional functions and instructions and could handle floating point numbers. The computer was develop… May 12, 2025 · The Sinclair ZX81 is an 8-bit home computer launched by Sinclair Research in March 1981. Released on 5 March 1981, the ZX81 was the successor to 1980's ZX80 and, like its predecessor, was based around a Z80 CPU. " The Sinclair ZX81 The release of a new computer coincided with another change of company name, to Sinclair Research Limited. It has no relationship with previously established ones like ASCII or EBCDIC, but it is related though not identical to the character set of the predecessor ZX80. After some searching on eBay, I found an old ZX81 going cheap because it lacked cables, though when it arrived, I found the We sell a wide variety of second hand hardware, software and books for the iconic Sinclair ZX81, one of the first home computers. Timex would eventually license the ZX81 and produce its own versions of the computer for the U. May 21, 2021 · The ZX81 is a home computer that was produced by Sinclair Research. He was the first on the market with a pocket-sized electronic calculator and with a mini television set, the Microvision. 95, or if you wanted to built it yourself you could get it for £49. It addresses common failure symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and repair techniques for: Power supply and voltage faults “No display” or “white screen” scenarios RAM (internal and external) issues ULA Whereas the ZX80 was built using discrete components, the ZX81 features a Ferranti uncommitted logic array (ULA) chip - allowing the functions of many individual logic ICs to be integrated into a single component. Oct 10, 2022 · Articles About the Sinclair ZX81 Showing 678 of 678 rows Filter: Cambridge Z88 Downloadable MicroAce Sinclair QL Sinclair ZX Spectrum Sinclair ZX80 Sinclair ZX81 Timex/Sinclair 1000 Timex/Sinclair 1500 Timex/Sinclair 2000 Timex/Sinclair 2068 Mar 20, 2025 · The ZX81: A Revolutionary Home Computer The ZX81, released by Sinclair Research in 1981, was a groundbreaking home computer that played a significant role in popularizing personal computing. It was created by Mahjongg, introduced on a forum dedicated to Sinclair computers, and document on the web with construction files available on Github. The ZX81 is a home computer produced by Sinclair Research and manufactured in Dundee, Scotland, by Timex Corporation. market. Sorry about Oct 10, 2022 · Downloadable Lambda 8300 MicroAce Sinclair QL Sinclair ZX Spectrum Sinclair ZX80 Sinclair ZX81 Timex/Sinclair 1000 Timex/Sinclair 1500 Timex/Sinclair 2068 Mar 26, 1999 · A: Good question. [4][1] The ZX Printer used special 4-inch (100 mm) wide black paper which was supplied coated with a thin layer of aluminium. Launched in 1981, the ZX81 introduced millions of people to personal computing with its inexpensive price point and innovative features. The Sinclair ZX81 The Sinclair ZX81, also marketed as the Timex Sinclair 1000 in the US, was a home computer introduced in the UK in 1981. ZX81 Games List [ View Trivia ] [ View all Platforms ] The ZX81 is an 8-bit microcomputer by Sinclair Research. While its successor, the Sinclair Spectrum, got the nation playing computer games, the ZX81 was the tipping Oct 10, 2022 · Home » Computers » Sinclair ZX81 » Articles About the Sinclair ZX81Articles About the Sinclair ZX81 The Sinclair ZX81 came from the genius of Clive Sinclair and his desire to bring computing to the masses. From the groundbreaking Sinclair ZX81 that brought affordable computing to American homes in 1982, to the Timex/Sinclair 2068, we celebrate these remarkable machines that introduced a generation to the 1982: April - Sinclair Research introduces the Sinclair ZX Spectrum in the UK. 5 days ago · Welcome to TimexSinclair. It was launched in the United Kingdom in Interfacing Showing 10 of 10 rows Filter: Sinclair ZX80 Sinclair ZX81 Timex/Sinclair 1000 Timex/Sinclair 2068 Sinclair ZX81 20 Simples Electonic Projects for the ZX81 & Spectrum 30 Hour Basic - ZX81 Edition 37 TIMEX 1000/Sinclair ZX-81 Programs for Home, School & Office Documentary - The Sinclair ZX80, ZX81, and Timex Sinclair 1000 The 8-Bit Guy 1. Sinclair and Timex offered 16K RAM units for the ZX80, ZX81 and TS 1000 computers. A huge number of expansion RAM packs were produced for the Sinclair computers. I transcribed the ZX81 programs from a PDF copy of Not Only 30 Programs for the Sinclair ZX81. It appeared on the market at the right time, though, and enjoyed much popularity. Some take the… The ZX81 was launched on 5th March 1981 by Clive Sinclair as the successor to the ZX80, with a larger memory and improved mathematical functions. You can access the entire library of archived software for both the 1000/1500 and 2068 on archive. For many, that was enough. Sep 23, 2024 · Timex licensed American versions of the ZX81 as the Sinclair 1000 and Sinclair 1500, and Acorn briefly attempted to market their computers in the U. He figured out how to link a ZX81 keyboard’s connection cables to an Atmel ATMega32 chip of the kind found in various Arduino boards, and he wrote some code to read key presses and send appropriate The Sinclair ZX81 holds an important place in computing history as one of the first low-cost home computers. It was launched in the UK in March 1981 as the successor to Sinclair’s ZX80, and designed to be a low-cost introduction to home computing for the general public; over 1. I'm going to install the Big Bang ROM into my Vintage ZX81. com, your definitive resource for everything related to the Sinclair and Timex/Sinclair computers in the United States. May 12, 2025 · The Sinclair ZX81 is an 8-bit home computer launched by Sinclair Research in March 1981. The EightyOne core has been authored by Michael D View and Download Sinclair ZX81 user manual online. Nov 10, 2014 · The Sinclair ZX81 was the first popular UK home computer. 25 MHz, dual-channel memory, a Ferranti GPU, and plenty of expansion possibilities from its black plastic case. 95. If your television has a continuously variable tuning control, then you just have to adjust it until you get this picture. To mark the paper, one of The ZX81 was launched on 5th March 1981 by Clive Sinclair as the successor to the ZX80, with a larger memory and improved mathematical functions. Jan 9, 2009 · All about the Sinclair ZX81 For the uninitiated the ZX81 was a small 8-bit home microcomputer invented and produced by Sinclair Research Limited of Cambridge, England. models and software tapes. My dad had said that he would match me pound for pound for my birthday so I was finally able to buy a postal order and send of for one of these amazing machines. It was announced alongside the ZX81 in early 1981, [1][2] and available later that year with a recommended retail price of £49. The computer was develop… While resourceful owners could accomplish a lot with the 1K or 2K of RAM built in to their computers, more serious uses required more RAM. (later to be better known as Sinclair Research). It is one of those home computers very popular in the '80s and affordable (£49. 5 The Sinclair ZX81 was a commercial success, first in the United Kingdom and later in the United States. The ZX81 was a simple, rugged and very inexpensive computer sold both as an easy-to-build kit and as a fully assembled system. 95). In 1980 the eccentric Briton Clive Sinclair already made the impossible possible by selling a home computer, the ZX80, for less then 100 British pounds, in 1981 he again hit the headlines. The Sinclair ZX81 came from the genius of Clive Sinclair and his desire to bring computing to the masses. It was the successor to the popular Sinclair ZX80 and featured improvements in speed, memory, and overall performance. Sinclair teamed with Timex Corporation in Scotland for production. 95 or ready-assembled for £69. Initial support from magazines and publishers was poor because the ZX80 and ZX81 computers were not taken seriously. Mar 5, 2025 · The Sinclair ZX81, the successor to the ZX80, is launched in England. The Sinclair ZX81 is such a slow and difficult to use computer, many people found that it works better as a door-stop than as a computer In 1982, American company Timex started selling the ZX81 in America, calling it the Timex Sinclair 1000. Designed to be a low-cost introduction to home computing, the ZX81 was the first personal computer to be later sold in the United States for under $150. Complete ZX81 system. d5a5q0v wg ke1 pad bcbr aokpi s6fal sehc 2a4ecc zuh