Timex Sinclair 2068 - The American ZX Spectrum
The 8-Bit Guy・2 minutes read
The Timex Sinclair 2068 is a budget-friendly computer with limited features like a checkered keyboard and lack of text mode, facing tough competition in the market from other more advanced models. Despite its shortcomings, users can upgrade the 2068 with a ZX Spectrum ROM chip for enhanced functionality, accompanied by detailed user manuals and programming resources.
Insights
- Timex Sinclair 2068, despite its affordability, faced tough competition from more feature-rich computers like the Vic-20 and Commodore 64, leading to its market failure.
- Upgrading the Timex Sinclair 2068 with a ZX Spectrum ROM chip enhances its functionality, showcasing compatibility with Speccy games and addressing limitations in color output, offering a viable solution for users seeking expanded capabilities beyond its original design.
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What are the key features of the Timex Sinclair 2068?
Checkered keyboard, z80 processor, 48K RAM, AY-3 sound chip.
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Summary
00:00
Timex Sinclair 2068: Affordable Computer with Limitations
- Timex Sinclair 2068 is the final product in the North American market lineup, aiming to offer affordable computers.
- The computer features a checkered keyboard, a cartridge slot, two joystick ports, and various ports on the rear.
- Internally, the computer is based on the z80 processor, with a 48K system RAM and a General Instruments AY-3 sound chip.
- The ROM chips total 24K, but Timex misleadingly advertises it as 72K by combining RAM and ROM.
- The keyboard, while improved from previous models, requires multiple modifier keys for various functions, making typing cumbersome.
- The Sinclair 2068 lacks a text mode, displaying only graphics on a 256x192 pixel bitmap screen.
- Writing text on the screen is inefficient due to the memory allocation and lack of a specific text mode.
- Loading games on the Sinclair 2068 can be done through the cartridge slot or cassette recorder, with limited game options available.
- Emulating Sinclair ZX Spectrum games on the 2068 is possible through a ROM chip swap, expanding the game library significantly.
- Running Speccy games on the 2068, like "Jet Set Willy" and "Cybernoid," showcases compatibility and minor differences in color and sound output.
12:53
"Timex Sinclair 2068: Upgrade for Success"
- The ZX Spectrum game displays an unexpected light brown background due to coding issues, stemming from the computer's color palette limitations.
- The Timex Sinclair 2068, priced at $199 in 1983, faced tough competition from the Vic-20 and Commodore 64, lacking in features like expandability and software library.
- Despite its market failure, the Timex Sinclair 2068 can be upgraded with a ZX Spectrum ROM chip for improved functionality, complemented by a comprehensive user manual and third-party programming books.
