This, kiddies, is what home computing used to look like.


Sincalir ZX80 playing Space Invaders by Andys Retro Computers, on Flickr

I'd still rather have the setup from Swordfish

Oooh wobbly RAM packs FTL.

I had a ZX80 - picked one up cheap off my mate's dad in the late 80's, I don't remember the logo being quite so big though.

Kinda wish I'd kept it now.

Complete with the 3D tile game that compiles uber-wicked programs?

The fix was quite simple, and far more effective than the blob of blu-tac that was suggested at the time. The problem wasn’t the connector losing grip, but the innards of the RAM Pack shorting out. Putting a piece of thin plastic between the layers stopped that problem dead.



Yeah - especially when you see how much they are going for on eBay now.

I have a ZX81 I picked up in a charity shop for a fiver a couple of years back. Boxed too

I had a 32k Memotech RAMpack and stuck the sinclair pack into the back of that, for an awesome 48k.


Very nice.

You can still get the 81s pretty cheap, but I see what you mean about the 80s.

For the 81s, it’s the box which raises the price. The one I have is tatty, but I reckon it would fetch more than I paid for it.

If you want to see how much a small ZX81 type computer can fetch, keep a look out for any Jupiter Aces which turn up.

Bloody hell:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sinclair-ZX80-Vinta ... 807wt_1141

At time of posting, we’re looking at £550 for one.

I so nearly bought one of those when I was a lad, but my dad wouldn't let me because I "already had a computer". Very annoying

Interesting machines. I was tempted too, but I wasn't in a position to afford one. The ZX81 I had at the time broke the bank.

It was only about £29 from Bull Electrical, being sold as bankrupt stock. I used to get all kinds of crap from them when I was a teenager

I was about 16 at the time, so I had a Saturday job at the local service station.

You know, I'm still never quite sure if the POLISH in RPN is pronounced Polish or polish I like the latter, as in Wax-on Wax-off *



*somebody please know what I mean

Polish - as in the country. I know what you mean. I muddled around with Forth on my BBC Micro and AMPLE, both of which used similar notation.

I had a rubber keyed ZX with the Sinclair ZX printer and kempston joystick interface.

PoiDH anyone???

It just occurred to me that I could probably fit an Atom into my old Spectrum. Making the original keyboard work would be something of a challenge though.

Just get an Atom. They turn up on eBay every so often and have pretty hefty keyboards. I'd like to add one t my Acorn collection, but just can't justify the expense at the moment.