Timex Corporation to Manufacture and Market the First Personal Computer Priced Under $100

NEW YORK, April 20 — The Timex Computer Corporation today announced that it will manufacture and market the first personal computer to break the $100 price barrier.

The compact, lightweight, fully-assembled computer, named the Timex Sinclair 1000, will have a suggested retail price in the United States of $99.95. The computer and a range of peripherals and software for home, educational, business and entertainment use will be available to retailers beginning in July, according to Daniel D. Ross, Vice President of Timex Computer Corporation, an affiliate of Timex Corporation.

“For the first time, a fully programmable computer is within the reach of most American budgets,” Mr. Ross stated. He added that Timex Computer Corporation, using one of the most respected brand names of all consumer products, will distribute a family of computer products through its more than 100,000 retail outlets, including computer stores, department stores and chains, and consumer electronics, jewelry and drug stores.

He noted that the U.S. market for personal computers has been estimated at over 90,000,000 consumers.

Mr. Ross also announced a recent agreement with Sinclair Research Ltd., a British-based personal computer company, which will give Timex Computer Corporation rights to sell personal computers using Sinclair’s technical expertise. The agreement further calls for the current mail order sales of the Sinclair ZX81 to be phased out as Timex Computer Corporation begins its marketing program.

Enhanced Capabilities For Under $100

The Timex Sinclair 1000 is an enhanced version of the world’s largest selling personal computer, the Sinclair ZX8l, which Timex Corporation currently manufacturers in Dundee, Scotland.

The Timex Sinclair 1000 is based on an innovative four-chip design and will offer all the features of the popular ZX81 personal computer, including cassette-loaded programs and convenient monitor capability through any black and white or color television. Additionally, the Timex Sinclair 1000 will feature an expanded 2K byte static memory and a step-by-step instruction, manual custom-written for the first-time computer user. The instruction book also includes a course in fundamental programming — enabling users to develop custom programs in BASIC, the standard language of personal computers.

The company will also offer software — from business and personal financial management to education and entertainment programs. It is expected the price of these programs will range from $9.95 and $19.95. The Timex Sinclair 1000 system will also have a 32-column printer and a telephone modem, enabling direct tie-in with large computer data services. In addition, a 16K RAM memory expansion module will allow users to extend the computer’s memory to 16K bytes for use in program storage or as a data base. Each of these peripherals will have a suggested retail price of less than $100.

A complete marketing program will be aimed at the first-time computer customer, the educational market and at computer buffs, as well. It will include instructional point-of-purchase displays and an expanded marketing force trained in selling computers. The company also plans to back up retailers with an extensive service network, a 90-day guarantee and a national advertising campaign beginning in August.

Mr. Ross said that Timex Corporation has long been a silent force in high technology manufacturing. “Although Timex Corporation is best known as one of the world’s largest producers of timepieces, Timex Corporation also manufacturers the ZX81 personal computer for Sinclair, as well as a wide range of high technology, precision products including gyroscopes and fuses for defense and aerospace industries, computer components for major manufacturers and the recently-introduced Nimslo three-dimensional 35mm camera. Timex formerly manufactured Land cameras for Polaroid Corporation.”