Hardware Review: Q-SAVE

Q-SAVE is a speedy loader device for the TS 1000/ZX81. It can load a 16K program in about 25 seconds (compared to 6 minutes with the normal loading time that’s quite a difference). Q-SAVE is a hardware/software combination. The hardware supplied is a filter/amplifier. It greatly increases the chances of a load (with a Q-SAVE program or normally). The software is what makes the Q-SAVE save and load so fast. It comes in 16k and 64k formats. With a “PRINT USR” call, Q-SAVE is activated. For example (16k version): PRINT USR 32383 is the Q-SAVE save command. Q-SAVE is very handy in saving long programs. If you never play a game because it takes so long to load and you just never want to bother, then Q-SAVE is for you. It is also great for saving long files or records. A few problems with Q-SAVE is that you can’t use the printer. If you try a COPY, you get an error code. Another problem is that some of the older tape recorders do not work that well with Q-SAVE. Tape volume is also very important.