ZX Spectrum



"Be who you want to be."

The ZX Spectrum is a line of 8-bit personal computers from British company Sinclair Research.

Its hardware was nothing to write home about. In fact, it suffered from a graphical quirk called "attribute clash" that limited its colors in a bizarre way (every 8x8 pixel area could contain only two colors) and made its games look primitive when compared to other machines of its day. Nonetheless, its extremely low cost (less than half the price of a Commodore 64) made it hugely successful in the United Kingdom; it was also very popular in the Eastern Bloc and in Brazil, in the form of unlicensed clones. Consequently, the Spectrum amassed a rather vast gaming library.

Despite the Spectrum's popularity, a number of overambitious projects and poorly received products (including the ZX's ill-fated successor, the Sinclair QL) caused financial difficulties to Sinclair; the company was bought by long-time rival Amstrad, who continued to produce the Spectrum line until the early 90s.