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Sinclair ZX81 - Desktop Computer
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Sinclair ZX81

description Sinclair ZX81 Overview

The Sinclair ZX81 is a home computer released by Sinclair Research in 1981, serving as the successor to the ZX80. It is distinguished by its minimalist, low-cost design, featuring a membrane keyboard and a custom logic chip that provided a monochrome display output via a standard television set. Marketed toward consumers seeking an affordable entry into personal computing, it played a significant role in introducing 8-bit computing and basic programming to the British public.

help Sinclair ZX81 FAQ

When was the Sinclair ZX81 released?

The Sinclair ZX81 was released by Sinclair Research in 1981. It was a highly affordable British home computer that helped bring personal computing to the masses in the UK.

What kind of keyboard does the Sinclair ZX81 have?

Instead of a traditional typing keyboard, the ZX81 features a minimalist, touch-sensitive rubber keyboard. Because it had only a few keys, it heavily relied on function modes and keyword shortcuts to input code.

How did the Sinclair ZX81 connect to a display?

The computer output monochrome graphics and text via a basic RF modulator connected to a standard television set. Users had to tune their home TV to a specific channel to see the computer's output.

How much memory did the standard Sinclair ZX81 come with?

In its standard, out-of-the-box form, the Sinclair ZX81 had only 1KB (kilobyte) of onboard RAM. Users could expand this to 16KB by purchasing and attaching an external RAM pack module.

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