UK: £125 (16 KB) (equivalent to £469 in 2021) / £175 (48 KB) (equivalent to £657 in 2021) ,[2] US: $200, ESP: Pta44,250
Discontinued
1992[3]
Units sold
5 million[4]
Media
Compact Cassette, ZX Microdrive, 3-inch floppy disk on Spectrum +3
Operating system
Sinclair BASIC
CPU
Z80A (or equivalent) @ 3.5 MHz
Memory
16 KB / 48 KB / 128 KB (IEC: KiB)
Display
PAL RF modulator out, 256 × 192, 15 colours
Graphics
ULA
Sound
Beeper, AY-3-8912 (128K models)
Predecessor
ZX81
Successor
QL
The ZX Spectrum (UK: /zɛdɛks/) is an 8-bit home computer developed and marketed by Sinclair Research. It is one of the most influential computers ever made, and it is also one of the best selling computers ever, with over five million units sold. It was first released in the United Kingdom on 23 April 1982, and around the world in the following years, most notably in Europe, the United States, and Eastern Bloc countries.
The machine was designed by English entrepreneur and inventor Sir Clive Sinclair, and his small team in Cambridge. It was made to be small, simple, and most importantly inexpensive, with as few components as possible. The addendum "Spectrum" was chosen to highlight the machine's colour display, which differed from the black-and-white display of its predecessor, the ZX81. Its distinctive case, rainbow motif and rubber keyboard were designed by Rick Dickinson. Video output is transmitted to a television set rather than a dedicated monitor, while software is loaded and saved onto compact audio cassettes.
It was initially distributed through mail order, but after severe backlogs the machine was sold through High Street chains in the United Kingdom. It was released in the United States as the Timex Sinclair 2068 in 1983, and in some parts of Europe as the Timex Computer 2048. Ultimately the Spectrum was released as seven different models, ranging from the entry level with 16 KB RAM released in 1982 to the ZX Spectrum +3 with 128 KB RAM and built-in floppy disk drive in 1987. Throughout its life, the machine primarily competed with the Commodore 64, BBC Micro, Dragon 32, and the Amstrad CPC range. Over 24,000 different software products were released for the ZX Spectrum.[1]
The ZX Spectrum played a pivotal role in the early history of personal computing and video gaming, leaving an enduring legacy that influenced generations. Its introduction led to a boom in companies producing software and hardware, the effects of which are still seen. It was among the first home computers aimed at a mainstream audience, with some crediting it as being responsible for launching the British information technology industry. Until the Raspberry Pi, the Spectrum retained the title of Britain's best-selling computer for over three decades.[5][6] It was discontinued in 1992.
^ abLewis, Rhys (23 April 2016). "April 23, 1982: ZX Spectrum brings affordable – and colourful – computing into Britain's homes". London: British Telecom. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
^Leigh 2018, p. 69.
^"How the Spectrum began a revolution". BBC. 23 April 2007. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
^Mott 2000, p. 76.
^Cellan-Jones, Rory (23 April 2012). "The Spectrum, the Pi - and the coding backlash". BBC News. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
^Mason, Graeme (18 February 2022). "ZX Spectrum at 40: a look back". NME. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
The ZXSpectrum (UK: /zɛd ɛks/) is an 8-bit home computer developed and marketed by Sinclair Research. It is one of the most influential computers ever...
This is a sortable list of games for the ZXSpectrum home computer. There are currently 1977 games in this incomplete list. 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987...
ZXSpectrum Next is an 8-bit home computer, initially released in 2017, which is compatible with software and hardware for the 1982 ZXSpectrum. It also...
The following is a list of clones of Sinclair Research's ZXSpectrum home computer. This list includes both official clones (from Timex Corporation) and...
The original ZXSpectrum computer produces a one bit per pixel, bitmapped colour graphics video output. A composite video signal is generated through...
The ZXSpectrum's software library was very diverse. While the majority of the software produced for the system was video games, others included programming...
The ZXSpectrum Vega is a modern redesign of the ZXSpectrum in the form of a miniaturised TV game, created with the involvement of Sir Clive Sinclair...
computing to a generation, with more that 1.5 million sold. In 1982 the ZXSpectrum was released, becoming the UK's best selling computer, and competing...
concern. Performance became a more serious issue with the release of the ZXSpectrum in 1983, which ran too slowly to make full use of the machine's new features...
home computer for less than £100) and in the early 1980s, the ZX81, ZXSpectrum and the Sinclair QL. Sinclair Research is widely recognised for its importance...
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The ZX Microdrive is a magnetic-tape data storage system launched in July 1983 by Sinclair Research for its ZXSpectrum home computer. It was proposed...
its home computers beginning with the Amstrad CPC and later also the ZXSpectrum range after the Sinclair deal, which led it to have a substantial share...
launched by Sinclair Research in 1984, as an upper-end counterpart to the ZXSpectrum. The QL was aimed at the serious home user and professional and executive...
new Dizzy game, their first for over 20 years. In a fun video for the ZXSpectrum Next Kickstarter campaign they revealed the game would be inspired by...
система) For 8-bit microcomputers MicroDOS (МикроДОС) — CP/M 2.2 clone For ZXSpectrum clones iS-DOS, TASiS DNA-OS For different platforms MISS (Multipurpose...
Tracker Alternative demo platforms Amiga Atari ST Commodore 64 MS-DOS ZXSpectrum Amstrad CPC Current parties Alternative Party Assembly Chaos Constructions...
Ocean developed dozens of games for a variety of systems such as the ZXSpectrum, Oric 1, Commodore 64, Dragon 32/64, MSX, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 16,...
software company which produced video games for home computers such as the ZXSpectrum, VIC-20, and Commodore 64 in the early to mid-1980s. Rabbit's later software...
similar to that of the ZXSpectrum, incorporating 16 KB of on-board memory. It was effectively a stopgap between the ZX81 and Spectrum. However, it was unsuccessful...
Following Timex's ZX81-based T/S 1000 and T/S 1500, a new series of ZXSpectrum-based machines was created. Initially named T/S 2000 (as reflected on...
tracks for a variety of titles and home gaming systems, including the ZXSpectrum, Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, Nintendo Entertainment System, Mega Drive...
Sabreman series of games was released by Ultimate Play the Game for the ZXSpectrum in the 1980s. Some of the instalments were also released on other popular...
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