ZX80

The ZX80 is an early home computer released by Sinclair Research in 1980. It was designed to be a low-cost, compact system that could be connected to a household television, helping to popularize personal computing in the United Kingdom and beyond. The machine is part of Sinclair’s line of affordable 8-bit computers and helped pave the way for later models such as the ZX81 and the ZX Spectrum.

Technical overview

The ZX80 is built around a Zilog Z80 microprocessor operating at roughly 3.25 MHz. It came with a small amount of RAM and-ROM security: memory consisted of 1 kilobyte of RAM, while a 4 kilobyte ROM contained Sinclair BASIC and a minimal bootstrap routine. The system relied on a flat membrane keyboard and produced video output through a TV, using a simple character-based display. There was no built-in data storage; programs were typically saved to cassette tape via a modem or tape interface, or loaded from external RAM packs or tape.

Expansion and peripherals

Expansion options were limited but available. Memory could be increased with external RAM packs, enabling larger programs and more ambitious experiments. The ZX80 also offered access to peripherals such as cassette interfaces, light pens, and pdated interface hardware through straightforward connections to the television-based display.

Impact and legacy

The ZX80’s low price and straightforward design contributed to the early growth of home computing in the home market. While the instrument’s membrane keyboard and limited built-in memory drew criticism, its accessibility helped broaden interest in programming and computing skills. The ZX80 laid the groundwork for Sinclair’s subsequent models, notably the ZX81 and the ZX Spectrum, and remains a milestone in the history of affordable personal computers.