Ohio Scientific Challenger 1P, Apple II+, TRS-80 Model 1, Atari 400, Osborne 1a, System-80/Video Genie/PMC-80, IBM-5150 (IBM-PC), ZX-81, TRS-80 Colour Computer 1, Vic-20, Epson HX-20, BBC-B, ZX-Spectrum, Kaypro II, Eaca Colour Genie, RX-8800, Apple IIe, Atari 800XL, Tandy Model 100, Commodore 64, Commodore 64C, Commodore SX-64, Spectravideo 318, Mattel Aquarius, Sinclair QL, Atari 130XE, Apple IIe Platinum, IBM PS/2 30-286, Compaq SLT/286, Amiga 500, Atari 1040ST, Mac SE/30, Mac Classic II, Mac Powerbook 145B, Generic 386DX-40

Sinclair ZX-81

Arrgg... I loath this little computer. It has to be the most irritating "toy" micro anyone could own.

At the heart of the ZX-81 there beats the mighty Z80 processor, similar to the Osborne 1, TRS-80 Model 1 and a few of my other units. However, unlike the latter, that's about ALL there is to this microcomputer. It is minimalist in the extreme! I'm sure the membrane keyboard would have turned many a would-be wiz OFF computers forever. If that didn't, the complex one-press, multifunction key mapping would have! Furthermore, the tiny 1K (yes, 1K!) of RAM meant that trivial functionality was all it was capable of in its unexpanded state. It doesn't even carry an on-off button! Resetting requires disconnection from the power supply.

The Sinclair ZX-81 though was wildly popular, which is why I have one in my collection. Why, was it popular you might ask? it's not particularly cute, although one could argue the beveled shape holds some attraction (it could be used for a doorstop). No, there was one reason, and one reason only.

Price. Oh, and marketing. (Ok, that's two reasons.)

When released in 1981, superseding the older ZX-80 (which could be purchased in kit form), this little unit was the most inexpensive thing around that dared call itself a microcomputer. Although it couldn't do much, what it COULD do was astonishing given the cost and size. It was a triumph of design from Sinclair Research. It also came with a comprehensive and user-friendly manual (seen in the photo).

The micro pictured above works just fine. It arrived with its own 16K-RAMPACK expansion unit, which plugs into the card edge at the back. That connection can be temperamental, sometimes rebooting the machine if the keyboard is pressed too vigourously. I've cleaned the contacts with a special gel and that seems to have improved matters.

I've got two 16k games and a database program for the unit. How anyone could be patient enough to type records in on that keyboard (being careful not to wobble it too much so the RAMPACK doesn't reboot the machine) then save their data on cassette is beyond me!

Anyway, love it or loath it, the ZX-81's place in history is unquestioned. That's why I've got one.

Want to know more about this micro? Google is your friend.

This page last edited 3rd October, 2008

Comments welcome...

Comments by Haloscan