A Hands-On Review: Timex 2068

This New Color Computer Is Easy To Use, And Powerful, Too

The new Timex Sinclair 2068 Color Computer weighs in at less than three-and-a-half pounds, but it’s no lightweight when it comes to computer power. It compares favorably with other computers in its price range, and some of its features are generally found in only much higher-priced models. It’s a suitable computer for the novice, and one that will grow to meet his or her changing needs.

Memory Capacity

The Timex 2068 is advertised as having 72K of memory, which is a little misleading. Actually, it has 48K RAM and 24K ROM. A sizable 38K RAM is available to the user when operating in the BASIC mode. This is just a little less than is available from the Commodore 64. with its 64K RAM. While the 2068’s RAM memory cannot be expanded, plugin ROM cartridges contain up to 56K; when you use them, the regular 48K RAM is left open for the user. These cartridges, in effect, give instant expansion.

This is made possible because the 2068 has what is called “bank switching” capability — which means that the computer can address more than one “memory bank” at a time. Such bank switching is unprecedented in a $200 computer.

Storage

The 2068 has a neat flip-up cartridge slot to run programs on cartridges, though you cannot store data on them. You can also load and save programs on any cassette recorder. (Timex sells its own cassette recorder for $50.) The TS 2068 appears to work well with a variety of recorders, unlike its somewhat finicky forerunner, the TS 1000. And it makes saving programs relatively easy, with a VERIFY option not found on many computers.

Sometime this year. Timex is expected to introduce a “micro drive,” which will load programs much faster than a cassette recorder, but slower than a disk drive. The micro drive (expansion box, controller card, and micro drive will cost about $250) will attach to the back of the 2068, and accept programs stored on small, square “capsules.” a new software format. You can store your own programs on blank capsules.

Keyboard

While the 2068 does not have a typewriter-style keyboard, its flat, rubber keys are very comfortable to work with. In fact, the only thing that may make touch-typing a little awkward Is that the punctuation symbols are not located in their usual spots, and are accessed with a special SYMBOL SHIFT key instead of the regular SHIFT key. However, the “F” and “J” keys each have a little bump to assist touch-typists in finger placement.

While the keyboard is not ideal for word processing (Timex says it will soon release a word-processing program). It Is superbly designed for typing in programs. Perhaps the most noteworthy feature of the 2068 — as it is of all Timex Sinclair computers — is Its “one key” command entry. For example. Instead of typing print, you press the “P'” key and print appears on the screen.

Because each key can have up to six functions — one of three commands, upper- and lower-case letters, and a mathematical or punctuation symbol — there are two types of SHIFT keys. To implement certain key functions, one or both of these keys sometimes must be pressed. While this isn’t exactly one-key command entry, it’s an easier system to work with than the standard one. It’s especially convenient for children.

Finally, there is enough room between each of the keys to allow for the addition of keyboard overlays with special designations. Timex will release these with certain software packages, particularly Its upcoming version of Logo.

BASIC

Built into the 2068 (In its sizable 24K ROM) is an “extended.” more powerful version of the original Sinclair BASIC. It has a feature convenient for everyone, but Indispensable to the beginner: a syntax checker (as In the TS 1000). Every time you write a line of program code, this editor checks to make sure the grammar of the command Is correct. If you have used a semicolon instead of a colon, or left out the closing quotation marks, the computer will indicate a problem immediately. Most computers accept incorrect program lines and let you run part of the program, stopping only when the problem line is encountered.

You can give in to your artistic urges with commands such as DRAW and circle. You can also create your own characters — letters of the Greek alphabet, or just a “happy face” symbol. While “user-defined graphics” are available on some other computers. I have never seen an easier method of design and use than on the 2068.

Color

There are eight basic colors on the 2068. with a command that changes their brightness; the change is so noticeable that, in effect, you have 16 colors to work with. The color of the characters on the screen, and the background and border colors can all be controlled separately with one-key commands.

Though the 2068 can be connected to a TV or regular color monitor, it can also output signals to an RGB (Red-Green-Blue) monitor. RGB monitors are expensive (approximately $600) and require an expansion box on the Timex ($lOO). but provide brighter color displays.

Sound

The sound has quite a range, although the small builtin speaker on the bottom of the keyboard unit somewhat limits its quality. Each of the three sound channels can be programmed separately for tone or volume. You can also program sounds such as a siren, an explosion, or a dragon’s roar, much as you can on an Atari. The sound programming is probably the most involved aspect of Sinclair BASIC, although it isn’t extremely difficult.

Resolution

The 2068’s normal resolution is 256 x 192— that’s the number of pixels, or dots, on the screen. This is about average for computers in the 2068’s price range. However, a second display mode has 512 x 192 resolution, which is very high. In this mode, the screen can display 64 characters across the screen, instead of the 32 available in normal mode, which is much better for displaying text on the screen. However, this high-resolution mode requires twice as much memory as the lower mode, and will thus limit the type of software that can be used.

Peripherals

To connect peripherals other than a TV, monitor, joystick, or cassette recorder to the 2068, you need to purchase an expansion box ($100). which fits into a slot in the back of the unit. In the past, most peripherals for Timex have been made by third-party manufacturers, but now Timex is supporting its newest computer with several products.

Timex’s 2040 thermal printer ($99) uses 4 1/2-inch heat sensitive paper; its best use is to get a “hard copy” of your program listings. Timex has said it plans to come out with an 80-column printer, which can be used for printing out letters or manuscripts. The printer, like the TS 2050 modem ($120) currently available, will connect to the expansion box. In addition, any Centronics-compatible parallel printer can also be connected to the expansion box.

One of the best Timex “peripherals” is its customer support. Its customer hotline (800-24TIMEX). which I have used for questions, trivial and technical, dozens of times during the past year, has always responded with the needed information. And now, you can order a new computer direct from the company by calling this same hotline — a service to those who live in rural areas not served by major retailers.

Software

Timex is preparing 40 cassette and cartridge programs to market for the 2068. They fall into the home business (Vu-Calc, Vu-File, Vu-3D. etc.), game, and educational categories. The game programs made available for review (Horace Goes Skiing, Crazy Bugs) were impressive, with interesting play and excellent graphics. The educational programs I looked at were well written, though not exceptional. Most of the programs are now available in cassette form, and will come out later in cartridge. Whether or not outside software companies will produce TS 2068 versions of popular programs depends on two things: how well the computer sells and how hard a bargain Timex drives. The company has said it wants to charge others for the right to develop 2068 software in its proprietary “capsule” format.

A Powerful, Easy-To-Use Computer

The choice between the Timex 2068 and other computers in Its general price range — Atari 600XL and Commodore 64 — comes down to personal preference and intended application. For game playing, the Atari is tough to beat. The same can be said of Commodore 64 when it comes to music composition. Both also have more standard keyboards and a much wider software base.

Children seem much less intimidated by the Timex keyboard, however, which makes it a good family computer. And, its one-key command entries make It a good computer for any programming novice. When it comes to ease of use, the 2068 stands near the head of the class. And it has enough power and features to continually challenge and grow with its users’ needs.