---
title: "Computers and Society"
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slug: "computers-and-society-2"
url: "http://localhost/article/computers-and-society-2/"
markdown_url: "http://localhost/article/computers-and-society-2.md"
published_at: "2020-10-27T17:08:37+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-06-21T23:36:26+00:00"
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excerpt: "Among the several new computers introduced at the June CES, one of the most interesting entries was the Sinclair ZX-80. This Z-80-based computer (which weighs only slightly more than its instruction manual (320 g vs. 250 g)) contains a full typewriter-like keyboard (membrane type), 1 KB of RAM and a 4 KB BASIC. Keywords are…"
category:
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post_tag:
  - name: "1980"
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  - name: "Full Text"
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  - name: "ZX80"
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model:
  - name: "Sinclair ZX80"
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indiv:
  - name: "Betty Burr"
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  - name: "David Thornburg"
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publication: "Compute!"
publication_r:
  id: 10124
  title: "Compute!"
  type: "periodical"
  url: "http://localhost/periodical/compute/"
authors: "David Thornburg; Betty Burr"
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  - name: "David Thornburg"
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  - name: "Betty Burr"
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volume: "1"
issue: "6"
pages: "14"
pubdate: "September/October 1980"
archive_link: false
archiveurl: "https://archive.org/details/1980-09-compute-magazine/page/n11/mode/2up"
volumeissue: "v1n6"
---

# Computers and Society

Among the several new computers introduced at the June CES, one of the most interesting entries was the Sinclair ZX-80. This Z-80-based computer (which weighs only slightly more than its instruction manual (320 g vs. 250 g)) contains a full typewriter-like keyboard (membrane type), 1 KB of RAM and a 4 KB BASIC. Keywords are entered with single keystrokes, and the syntax of each line entry is continuously monitored. It is almost impossible to get the computer to accept a syntactically invalid line of code. The ZX-80 connects to the UHF input on a black and white TV and displays 24 lines of 32 characters. As an indicator of the attention paid to low-cost design, conversion of the ZX-80 from the European PAL to the U.S. NTSC TU standard is accomplished by the addition of a single diode. Since power (9 V DC) is provided from an outboard plug mounted power supply, the ZX-80 can be used almost anywhere. Rather than sell this product through stores, the initial Sinclair marketing plan is to sell the ZX-80 from England, fully assembled, for S199. Presently, the ZX-80 only supports an integer BASIC, but an 8 KB floating point BASIC is in development. Since external RAM can be added to bring the computer to 16 KB, the ZX-80 may create a totally new market. Since new markets appear to be Mr. Sinclair’s forte, this product bears watching.