Two New Sinclair Computers Announced. Sir Clive’s Z88 and Spectrum +3.
For several years now, news of a battery-powered “lap computer”, code-named PANDORA, was reportedly being developed by Sir Clive Sinclair and his engineering staff. In recent months, Sir Clive himself, talked extensively about the proposed portable microcomputer.
Sharp’s Inc. of Mechanicsville, Virginia, reported to TDM in mid-February that the long awaited portable had been unveiled at a British computer show. The new machine, all decked-out in traditional black, signifies a comeback for Clive Sinclair, and is appropriately named the “Z88”.
The new Z88 is produced by the Cambridge Computer Company, a subsidary of Sinclair Research. Actual manufacturer of the computer is Thorn EMI. Not surprising, the Z88 will be initially sold by mail order, for about $300 (equivalent U.S. dollars), with an estimated production capacity of 10,000 units per month. At a later date, it will be sold through retail stores.
The portable Z88 does not have some of the features originally proposed by Sinclair, such as use of flat screen television technology, Microdrives, or CP/M. Instead, it uses a new 8 line by 80 column LCD display designed by Epson. The internal processor is a Z80, coupled with on-board 32k RAM. Data and software is stored on battery-backed EPROM cartridges. RAM is expandable to 128k via an optional cartridge. Due to the new wafer scale integration being developed by Sinclair, additional RAM upgrades may be available in the future.
Another feature of the new computer is IBM PC file compatibility. With an optional software disk for a PC and a cable, the Z88 can upload and download files from an IBM.
The whole unit with four AA batteries weighs less than two pounds, and measures 11.5 inches by 8.5 inches. The full travel keyboard is specially made from silicon, and is said to be totally quiet in use.
Also built-into the Z88 are software programs written by Protechnic of Cambridge, including a word processor a database, a spreadsheet, and some utilities. Further software development from third party houses is highly encouraged by Sinclair.
In further news, Amstrad announced that they will be releasing a 128k Spectrum model that will have a 3″ disk drive built in, as opposed to the cassette tape recorder found on the Sinclair Spectrum Plus 2. The 3″ disk is the general format of choice in the Amstrad line. The DOS for the Plus 3, will be a customized version of Amsdos. No CP/M compatibility has been announced for the Plus 3.
Desktop Publishing for the TS2068.
Desktop publishing software and hardware packages have taken the personal computer market by storm. By combining a powerful text editor with a graphics development system, the user can produce publications and documents for small business applications, with professional results. Generally, when purchasing one of the commercial desktop packages along with a quality laser printer…the down payment alone could put you into major debt.
Enter Sinclair computers. Already the QL has a budget-priced desktop program called FRONT PAGE. Now the TS2068 joins the ranks with not one program, but two separate offerings.
PIXEL PRINT Desktop Publisher is available for $19.95 ppd., from Lemke Software Development, 2144 White Oak, Wichita, KS 67207. Supports the Tasman, Aerco and A&J printer interfaces.
The TIMEX 2068 DESKTOP PUBLISHER is available for $19.95 + $1.25 for postage and handling, from Charles Stelding, 1415 South Baxter, Tyler, TX 75701.
Largest Timex Sinclair Computer Fest gears up…just weeks away!
An estimated 1,000 Timex and Sinclair computer users will converge on Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd. Attendees will be coming from all over the U.S. and Canada, to participate in the Second Annual Mid-West Timex Sinclair Computer Fest. The event will be housed at the Holiday Inn-North (just off North I-465 at 3850 Depauw Blvd.). The gates open each day at 9a.m., and tickets can be purchased at the door for $6 (individual) or $9 (for a family).
A banquet on Friday evening for dealers and exhibitors will kick off the festivities. A variety of activities are planned for any interest or skill level. Guest speakers will be giving mini-workshops on such subjects as “Graphics and CAD programs”, “Using Your QL”, “Machine Code Basics”, “Dot Matrix Printers”, and “MIDI, Computer Music and Sinclair PC’s”. Valuable door prizes will be given away hourly, such as new computers, software and books.
Almost every Timex Sinclair vendor will be there, with booths spread over more than 5,000 square feet. Many of these dealers and services have contacted TDM to report that they will be displaying some “never-seen-before” equipment as well as offering substantial Fest price discounts.
Here is an updated list of participating Timex Sinclair vendors and services:
Sharp's Inc. Novelsoft Variety Sales Foote Software Knighted Computers The WJDJUP Co. Zebra Systems Inc. A+ Computer Response Time Designs Magazine Co. Kurt Casby/E. Arthur Brown C.T.M. JRC Software Brice Road Pharmacy Heath Software RMG Enterprises The John Oliger Co. Quantum Computing Byte Power Thomas B Woods/Syncware News Beaver Computer Products Vernon Tidwell Herb Bowers (Abba Soft) SiriusWare Haltronics Curry Computer Markel Enterprises Aerco Sinclair Information Network Russell Electronics Lemke Software Development
Booths will also be sponsored by TS User Groups from Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, and Michigan.
For further information and details, write or call: Paul Holmgren (Executive Director), [address omitted], Indianapolis, IN, [phone number omitted]; or Frank Davis, [address omitted], Peru, IN, [phone number omitted].
More New Items…
A TS1000 CLONE??? Yes sir, and several TDM readers have bought one, after seeing advertisements in Computer Shopper and other magazines. The PC8300 was designed and manufactured by Unisonic in Hong Kong during the heyday of the TS1000/ZX81. Although it is similar to the Timex Sinclair, it does offer some improvements like a programmable sound chip (plus a loudspeaker), a joystick port, a monitor output, a chicklet-style keyboard, and an improved tape loading circuit. The PC8300 will accept the TS2040 printer and the TS1016 Rampack…and most (but not all) TS1000 software will load in. The clone is priced to sell at $29.95 + $5.99 for UPS ship, from American Design Components, 62 Joseph St., Moonachie, NJ 07074, tel.(800) 524-0809 or (201) 939-2710.
John Mathewson, 1852 Appleford St., Gloucester, Ontario, Canada K1J 6T4, has developed an external keyboard interface board that plugs into the TS2068’s cartridge port, and allows both the computer’s keyboard and the external keyboard to operate at the same time. No modifications to the computer required. Price for the interface card is $39.95 (U.S.); for the interface card plus an external keyboard system (in wood cabinent) is $69.95; also available is an interface and external keyboard system for the TS1000/ZX81–write for details.
The TS2068 version of SPECTERM 64 is completed and currently available for $30 + $2 for postage, from G&C Computer Products, PO Box 2186, Inglewood, CA 90305, tel.(213) 759-7406.
The Spectrum option for the Timex/Zebra FDD disk system is now available for $60 from Zebra Systems Inc., 78-06 Jamaica Ave., Woodhaven, NY 11421, tel.(718) 296-2385. Call or write for special ordering instructions. Also available for the FDD from Zebra is the “Software Development Technical Manual” for $20.
A new version of the Larken disk drive interface is ready now. The system for the 2068 and Spectrum consists of an interface board for $45 (U.S.), and the LKDOS/EX-BAS Cartridge (which contains all of the commands for the system) for $60. The user supplys the floppy disc drive(s). Some new features include a “snap shot” save routine and 10 new Extended Basic commands. A 256k RAM Disk for the TS2068 will be available soon. Write to: Larken Electronics, RR#2 Navan, Ontario, Canada K4B 1H9.
The DISCIPLE is a new disk drive interface for the Spectrum. Along with the disk feature, it also has a “snap shot” save button, a Centronics printer interface, dual joystick ports, and a networking system similar to the Interface One. All of this comes in one small box for £89.95. For further information, write to: Rockfort Products, 81 Church Road, London, England NW4 4DP.
Joe Newman of Variety Sales (325 West Jersey Street #2D, Elizabeth, NJ 07202, tel. 201-527-0535) announced that he would be willing to display software or hardware for any manufacturer or dealer that will not be able to attend the Mid-West Computer Fest. Write or call for details.
Sharp’s Inc. (Rt 10 Box 459, Mechanicsville, VA 23111) reported to TDM that a new ROM is available for the QL, that replaces the existing two ROMs inside the computer. Several advantages are possible, including reduced heat build up and crashes. Also, other programs can be added to the new ROM such as I.C.E. or Toolkit II or customized combinations can be ordered. The new ROM is priced at $39.95.
Two new software packages for the QL have been released by Meta Media Productions, 726 West 17th Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V5Z 1T9. BOPPERS is a board type game, and FRACTAL is a mathematically based graphics generating program.
The Crocket PAYROLL professional business software package is now available from Kamrec Systems, 51267 E. Village Bldg.17, Apt.205, New Baltimore, MI 48047. Write for information on this and other QL programs.
Version 3.5 of Qflash’s RAM-disk and toolkit software will be upgraded shortly to Version 4. It gives RESET128 and COMPARE as SuperBASIC extensions, and other features. The software can be supplied on Microdrive cartridges, an EPROM, or an EPROM for the Sandy SuperQBoard. For prices and further information, write to: Uwe Fischer, Post Box 102121, D-2000 Hamburg 1.