What was the ZX Spectrum?
Sir Clive Sinclair
_The Sinclair ZX Spectrum was a home computer which was released by
Sinclair Research in 1982. Whilst today the machine may look primitive,
when it was released the Spectrum was one of the most advanced
computers, especially in its price range. Clive Sinclair stated his aim
was to release a colour computer for under £100, which he achieved with
the 16K Spectrum (although originally it cost £129). The Spectrum was
hugely popular in the UK, as well as many countries overseas
(particularly Spain), with a rumoured 2 million sold in the UK alone. As
time went on, other computers came to challenge the Spectrum, most
notably the Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC, but when the 16 bit computers
came on the scene, the Spectrum struggled to keep up. However, in 1986,
the 128K Spectrum was launched, shortly before Sinclair were bought out
by Amstrad. Amstrad released three variations of the Spectrum, the +2
and +2A (both with built in cassette recorders) and +3 (with 3" disk
drive), but by 1994 production had stopped, and the game output had
slowed down to barely a trickle. However, the Spectrum software scene is
still alive, with games and demos still being written for the machine.
The Sinclair ZX Spectrum
In it's time, the ZX Spectrum was an innovative computer, with many add ons available, including Sinclair's own storage system, the Microdrive, the Wafadrive, 3.5" and 5"1/4 inch disk drives, joysticks, mice, light pens and guns. Software was available chiefly on cassette, but also on 3" disc, cartridge, CD, vinyl records and flexidiscs as well as listings printed in many magazines. It is a testament to the original designers of the computer that it is still very popular today, and many of the games released are still playable, challenging and, above all, great fun.
Not bad for a computer over forty years old!