ZX80
The Sinclair ZX80 is a home computer launched on 29 January 1980 by Science of Cambridge Ltd. (later to be better known as Sinclair Research). It is notable for being one of the first computers available in the United Kingdom for less than a hundred pounds. It was available in kit form for £79.95, where purchasers had to assemble and solder it together, and as a ready-built version at £99.95.
| Type | Home computer |
|---|---|
| Release date | United Kingdom: 29 January 1980 |
| Introductory price | £99.95 GBP (£456; $625 at 2024 prices) |
| Discontinued | 1981 |
| Units shipped | 100,000 |
| Media | Cassette tape |
| Operating system | Sinclair BASIC |
| CPU | Z80 @ 3.25-3.55 MHz (most machines used the NEC μPD780C-1 equivalent) |
| Memory | 1 KB (16 KB max.) |
| Display | Monochrome display on UHF television |
| Graphics | 24 lines × 32 characters or 64 × 48 block graphics mode |
| Predecessor | MK14 |
| Successor | ZX81 |
The ZX80 was advertised as the first personal computer for under £100 and received praise for its value and documentation. However, it faced criticism for screen blanking during program execution, small RAM size, and the keyboard design. It was very popular straight away, and for some time there was a waiting list of several months for either version of the machine.