another ZX80 archive

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@chaotic.fsnet.co.uk. Eventually all the images will link to larger versions ... but not for a while.

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 in the UK when it was released at the end of January 1980.
The ZX80 had a 3.25Hz Z80A microprocessor (supplied by NEC), a 4K rom containing BASIC and 1K of ram (expandable to 16K). It had a membrane type keyboard and a 24 lines x 32 characters black and white display. Apart from its ability to use a standard tv for its 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. 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.

There are a few variations of ZX80 which collectors should be aware. Apart from the various issue boards (1-3), 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 later versions have a matte finish compared to the earlier very shiny one. A major change is that of the construction method used to produce the white plastic case. The majority of cases I've seen so far 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 probably occured when production moved from Tek Electronics of St.Ives to Timex in Dundee.
The UK ZX80 was mainly sold via mail order and was supplied inside two polystyrene halves (not marked sinclair on the top half) in a brown cardboard box. You got the ZX80, PSU, rf and tape leads, manual and a test program sheet (often missing nowadays). As far as I am aware the American ZX80 came supplied in a different plain cardboard box without the poly.
Two rampacks were available with the ZX80 designation on them. When ram was initially very expensive the white 1-3k pack was offered. You could have a 1,2 or 3k depending on what you could afford. When ram prices dropped the 16k rampack came on the market. This black ZX80 marked one didnt last long as it was soon superseded by one marked ZX80/ZX81 as the ZX81 showed up. In a sinclair advertising leaflet a white 16k rampack is actually shown, although this was probably only a prototype or block model.
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.

Bottom half of a boxed ZX80, ZX80 (inj. mould), 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 UK boxed ZX80 contained "A Course in Basic Programming - ZX80 Operating Manual" and a folded A4 size "Sinclair ZX80 Test program". The spec/pcb sheet was available at a small extra cost.

The Syntax ZX80 magazine was available by subscription - this later became Syntax magazine to include ZX81/TS1000 users.

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

Image computers catalog (usa) and 6 zx80 program books:

The ZX80 companion - LINSAC
30 programs for the ZX80 - Melbourne House
Making the most of your ZX80 - Tim Hartnell
Learning basic with your Sinclair ZX80 - Robin Norman
The ZX80 pocket book
50 rip-roaring games for the ZX80 and ZX81
Stretching your ZX80 or ZX81 to its limits - Tin Hartnell & Trevor Sharples

A text file listing what was available from the image computers catalogue is here.

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 supplied to the Science Museum in London.

There was very little prerecorded software available for the 4k rom zx80, you were mainly expected to type in your own or those from books and magazines. Image computers had a selection as did the sinclair related magazines/fanzines. It wasnt until the zx81 that consumers began to have a comprehensive choice.

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

8 titles from image computers (tape and booklet containing program source listing), 2 not pictured without instructions:

5101 - Money Sense (Checkbook Calculator, Budget Analyst)
5111 - Odyssey in Space (2-D Lander, Space Docking, 3-D Target)
5112 - Advanced Games (Roman Checkers, Life)
5208 - The Math Professor (Graph Plotter, Bar Charts, Statistics)
5209 - Utilities for your ZX80 (Memory Display, Hex Code Monitor, Renumber, Memory Search)
5801 - Classic Computer Games (Lunar Lander, Mazes, Life, Mastermind)

5108 - Strategy Moves (Depth-Charge, Hurkle, Magic Square, Not One)
5803 - Playing Against the Computer (Chinese Remainder, Noughts & Crosses, NIM, Blackjack)

Microace of 1384 East Edinger, Santa Ana, CA 92705, USA 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 later 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)

Anything zx80 really, I dont mind duplicates but if its not pictured above I probably dont have it. I am especially looking for the following.....

mk14 computer (kit or assembled)
zx80 unmade kit, vacuum formed case
original zx80 press release (I only have copies)
white 16k zx80 marked rampack (if it exists)
any commercially sold zx80 (4k rom) software
30 programs for your zx80 1k (earlier edition)
the zx80 magic book
microace clone (kit or assembled)
German zx80 with german manual (black cover)
Microdigital TK82/TK82c (and TK83) brazilian zx80 (zx81) clone
sinclair zx80 advertising sheet/brochure
white 16k rampack leaflet