The Sinclair ZX80, the computer that started it all. This archive is a record of all the ZX80 stuff in my
collection. If you have any items that are on my "wants" list for sale or swap, please contact me at joro@freeuk.com. Eventually all the images will link to larger versions ... but not for a while.

The ZX80

The sinclair ZX80 was the second computer from Clive Sinclair. The first being Science of Cambridge's MK14, a small board computer based around the SC/MP processor. However it was the ZX80 from his new company Sinclair Research Ltd that was to start a revolution in home computing when it was released at the end of January 1980.
The ZX80 had a Z80A microprocessor (supplied by NEC), a 4K rom containing BASIC and 1K of ram
(expandable to 16K). Apart from its ability to use a standard tv for display and save/load games using a normal tape recorder its main selling point was its relative cheapness. Its price of £99.95 fully constructed (£79 for the kit) meant that it was the first computer to be available below the magic figure of £100, this was in an era where other computers started at £400. It did have some failings but what the hell no computer is perfect. Around 70,000 ZX80s were sold and it is this computer that led to the ZX81 and then onto the ZX Spectrum - the finest computer ever made ... probably.

The Hardware

There are a few variations of ZX80 which collectors should be aware. Apart from the various issue
boards, there is a uk model, marked "ZX80" on the base and an american model marked "ZX80 USA".
The USA model was designed to work with a vhv tv compared to the uk model, designed for a
uhv system. There was also a US printing of the manual.
At some point there was a slight change in the keyboard covering as some have a matte finish
compared to the earlier shiny one. A major change is that of the construction method used
to produce the plastic outer case. The majority of cases I've seen are very thin vacuum formed ones
prone to brittleness and yellowing, however there is an injection moulded version to look out
for. The construction of these is much stronger due to the thickness of plastic this type of
moulding allows. This change perhaps occured when production moved from Tek Electronics of
St.Ives to Timex in Dundee.
As the ZX81 computer became available Sinclair offered an upgrade kit for the ZX80. This
comprised of a new ROM, an 8k one to replace the 4k original, and the newer keyboard overlay
along with fitting instructions.

 

 Boxed ZX80, ZX80, issue 2 board, uk psu.
 

Rare white uk psu, early stapled manual, 1-3k rampack.
 

8k rom upgrade kit, usa ZX80 upgraded to ZX81(with manual), 16k rampack (marked ZX80).
 

Unbuilt ZX80 kit (issue3 board, injection moulded case) with assembly instructions

There is also the ZX80/ZX81 16k rampack and the ZX printer which can be used with the ZX80

 The Literature
 

 Manual, test program card, specifications and pcb layout, 1-3k rampack instructions, syntax magazine
 

 Image computers catalog (usa) and 4 zx80 program books:

 The ZX80 companion - LINSAC
 30 programs for the ZX80 - Melbourne House
 Making the most of your ZX80 - Tim Hartnell
 The ZX80 pocket book

 The Press Release

 The original press release documents dated 29th January, 1980.
 
"Sinclair background information" (2 pages), "New sinclair computer for under £100" (3 pages), "Technical information" (3 pages) and 2 of the 3 supplied pictures - a stapled programming manual was also included in the press pack.

 The Software
 

 ZX80 Learning Lab from Image computers (6 program tapes, 2 blank for recording)
 

4 titles from image computers:

5111 - Odyssey in Space (2-D Lander, Space Docking, 3-D Target)
5112 - Advanced Games (Roman Checkers, Life)
5209 - Utilities for your ZX80 (Memory Display, Hex Code Monitor, Renumber, Memory Search)
5801 - Classic Computer Games (Lunar Lander, Mazes, Life, Mastermind)

The 3rd Party Add-ons
 

TR1 tape interface and a 4k rampack.
 
The Clones

Microace of 1384 East Edinger, Santa Ana, CA USA. 92705 produced a ZX80 clone very soon
after the sinclair original was released. However a lawsuit from Sinclair meant that the 4k rom
Microace ceased production. It was leter revived as a ZX81 clone (now licenced by Sinclair
Research ltd - if their adverts are to be believed) with 8k super rom, but was only sold in kit
form. 1k and 2k versions of this new kit were available .

Microdigital of Brazil, who went on to produce a large range of sinclair clones, made the TK82.
This first 4k rom/2k ram model was then upgraded to ZX81 status in the TK82c and TK83.

 

 Microace (issue 1 board), boxed with manual and tranex psu (as supplied)

 Wanted

 Anything zx80 really, I dont mind duplicates, but I am especially looking for the following.....

 mk14 computer  (kit or assembled)
 original zx80 press release (I only have copies)
 white 16k zx80 marked rampack (if it exists)
 any zx80 (4k rom) software
 learning basic with your zx80 by Robin Norman
 microace clone (kit or assembled)
 German zx80 with german manual (black cover)
 Microdigital TK82/TK82c (and TK83) brazilian zx80 (zx81) clone