The Sinclair ZX Spectrum must have been the most common of all computers in the UK, this was the first of many versions of the Specy.

The spectrum was  the first colour computer from Sinclair, and was built round the Z80A processor  running at a clock speed of 3.5MHz with a 16k Rom containing Sinclair BASIC, this was a Keyword (token) system where a single key entry would enter the full word, each key could represent up to 5 characters or Keywords depending on the mode the cursor was displaying, the cursor would flash K for Keyword, L for lowercase, E for extended mode, C for capital or G for graphic each one of these modes could give different result from a key press depending on wether Caps shift or Symbol shift was pressed. This all sounds rather complicated but it was very simple to use and made typing easer once you knew your way round the keyboard.

The Standard RAM 16k or 48k depending on the model chosen, the 48k was by far more popular, I  have working models of both the 16 & 48 machines. The sound command on the Spectrum was aptly named BEEP, as the sound was very limited.

The display quite good with 24 line of 32 characters of text with eight colours and flash, the graphics also have 8 colours and a resolution of 192 x256 pixels.

The new machine came with PSU, TV & Cassette leads, Demo cassette, an introduction manual and a BASIC programming manual that was Very Good.

Like all Sinclair machine's the Spectrum had plenty of critics, all I can say is, I had many a late night working on my spectrum and have had 1000's of hours of trouble free fun, OK it's not the best machine I have used but it was value for money. I was not alone in this opinion, below is an etract I have taken from a book that I recntly read, I think it reflects the view of the pro spectum loby.

"Once  again Sinclair Research have excelled themselves - the ZX Spectrum represents a dramatic advance on the earlier Sinclair computers. Not only is it cheaper than an original ZX80 with additional memory, but it also contains features that were not dreamt of on a computer of this size only two years ago.  The engineering is a significant advance on the ZX81, with a reliable fast cassette interface, no screen flicker and a keyboard that is much easier to use"

OK the comment on the keyboard is stretching it a little, but all in all Sir Clive didn't do a bad job.