Proven pedigree
Following the world-beating success of the
Sinclair ZX80/ZX81 - over 400,000 sold so far - comes the
Sinclair ZX Spectrum. The ZX81 is, and will continue to be,
the ideal introduction to computing - with up to 16K RAM available,
and the ZX Printer. The ZX Spectrum offers even more computing
capability, with colour and sound, up to 48K RAM, and high
resolution graphics.
Professional power . . . more capacity
. . . personal computer price!
The power of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum comes
from a new 16K BASIC ROM . So, in addition to the features
of the ZX81, the ZX Spectrum gives you a full 8 colours, a
sound generator, high-resolution graphics and many other features
- including the facility to support separate datafiles.
The storage capacity of any computer is
governed by the amount of RAM. The ZX Spectrum comes in two
versions - with 16K, or a really massive 48K, of RAM. Yet
even the 48K RAM version costs only £175 compared to
£125 for the 16K RAM model.
Many people will opt for the full 48K RAM
from the outset, but if you do decide to start with the 16K
version, you will be able to return your ZX Spectrum for a
48K RAM upgrade at a later date - at a cost of around £60.
A growing system
Your ZX Spectrum comes with a mains adaptor,
all the necessary leads to connect to most cassette recorders
and TVs (colour or black and white), and two manuals. If you're
new to computing, you'll find both manuals of immense help.
Together, they represent a course in BASIC
programming from first principles to advanced techniques.
But if you already have experience of computers, you can skip
much of the groundwork, and move straight into the colourful
world of ZX Spectrum professional-level computing.
Either way, you don't have to stop there.
The ZX Printer - available now - is fully compatible with
the ZX Spectrum. And later this year there will be Microdrives
for massive extra on-line storage, plus an RS232 network interface
board.
The ZX Printer - available now
Designed exclusively for use with the Sinclair
ZX range of computers, the printer offers ZX Spectrum owners
the full ASCII character set - including lower-case characters
and high-resolution graphics.
A special feature is COPY, which prints
out exactly what is on the whole TV screen without the need
for further instructions. Printing speed is 50 characters
per second, with 32 characters per line and 9 lines per vertical
inch.
The ZX Printer connects to the rear of your
ZX Spectrum and a roll of paper (65 ft long x 4 in wide) is
supplied, along with full instructions. Further supplies of
paper are available in packs of five rolls.
RS232/network interface board
For around £20, this interface - available
later this year - will enable you to connect your ZX Spectrum
to a whole range of printers, terminals and other computers.
The astonishingly low price is possible only because the operating
systems are already designed into the ROM.
ZX Microdrive - coming soon
Designed exclusively for use with the ZX
Spectrum,the new ZX Microdrives will revolutionise personal
computing.
Each Microdrive can hold up to 100K bytes
on a single interchangeable microfloppy, with a transfer rate
of 16K bytes per second. And you'll be able to connect up
to 8 ZX Microdrives to your ZX Spectrum. They're available
later this year, for around £50.
Professional performance for only £125
- how's it done?
Quite simply, by commitment and design.
Timex and ICL are adopting Sinclair technology and Sinclair
BASIC under licence for future products. Sinclair is now world
leader in personal computer production.
Key features of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum software: how good and how
soon?
The ZX Spectrum uses an enhanced version
of Sinclair BASIC, fast becoming a world standard, and unlikely
to be superseded. Unique features, such as one-touch keyword
entry and syntax check and report, are increasingly attracting
software originators.
Building the software library is already
far advanced, and a complete catalogue will be available in
the next few months. Subjects will include sophisticated games,
education, 'housekeeping' and business management. The more
complex packages can, of course, be used to their best advantage
with the full 48K RAM version of the ZX Spectrum.
The Sinclair ZX Spectrum can handle sophisticated
games programs with high resolution colour graphics and sound.
This major advance in computer technology
maintains Britain's world-beating position in the field of
personal computers.
A range of business software will soon be
available, covering both specific applications (eg stock-control
and payroll) and general business management systems (eg matrix
models).
This second generation of Sinclair personal
computers demonstrates continuing commitment. Advanced technology
made the ZX80/81 family a price breakthrough: advanced technology
makes the ZX Spectrum a breakthrough in price and performance.
ZX Spectrum
Available only by mail order and only from
