Sinclair Research in Britain, the developers of the ZX81 computer which was the prototype for the T/S1000, is close to announcing the launch date of a Micro Drive for the T/S2016 and T/S2048. The working relationship between Sinclair and Timex is such that when the drive comes on line in the British market, the American market is next. Whatever hardware Sinclair Research develops for their computers will automatically be adapted for use with the Timex computer line.
Nigel Searle, managing director of Sinclair Research in the U.K., would not give a definite production date. “We have learned from experience not to give launch dates until we are sure. We cannot say when the Microdrive will be available, “Searle emphasized.
At present, the price of the drives is projected to be about $60 with another $45 for the interface which will allow up to eight drives to be attached to the Spectrum. While the T/S2000 line has not yet been introduced to the North American market, it probably will be by late fall. That means we will not have to wait as long for the Microdrive as the U.K. users did. It might even happen that the Microdrive and the T/S2000 line will come out simultaneously.