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.