''Taken from [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ZX_Spectrum Wikipedia']'
The '''ZX Spectrum''' (the "Z" is pronounced "Zed" in its original [[British English]] branding) is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd. Referred to during development as the ''ZX81 Colour'' and ''ZX82'', the machine was launched as the ''ZX Spectrum'' by Sinclair to highlight the machine's colour display, compared with the black-and-white of its predecessor, the [[ZX80/81|Sinclair ZX81]]. The Spectrum was released in eight different models, ranging from the entry level model with 16KB RAM released in 1982 to the ZX Spectrum +3 with 128 KB RAM and built in floppy disk drive in 1987; together they sold in excess of 5 million units worldwide.
The Spectrum was among the first mainstream audience home computers in the UK, similar in significance to the Commodore 64 in the USA. The introduction of the ZX Spectrum led to a boom in companies producing software and hardware for the machine, some credit it as the machine which launched the UK IT industry. Licensing deals and clones followed, and earned Clive Sinclair a knighthood for "services to British industry".
== Amstrad models ==
In April 1986, Amstrad acquired Sinclair for 5 million pounds. See [https://youtu.be/rGzqvyKYVVI The Amazing TRUE Story Of How Amstrad Bought Sinclair] by [[ChinnyVision]].
=== ZX Spectrum +2 ===
[[File:ZX Spectrum Plus2.jpeg|thumb|ZX Spectrum +2]]
The '''ZX Spectrum +2''' was [[Amstrad]]'s first Spectrum, coming shortly after their [[Sinclair Research Ltd#Amstrad acquisition|purchase of the Spectrum range and "Sinclair" brandResearch Ltd]] in 1986. The machine featured an all-new grey case featuring a spring-loaded keyboard, dual joystick ports, and a built-in cassette recorder dubbed the "Datacorder" (like the [[Amstrad CPC 464]]), but was in most respects identical to the ZX Spectrum 128. The main menu screen lacked the Spectrum 128's "Tape Test" option, and the ROM was altered to account for a new 1986 Amstrad copyright message. These changes resulted in minor incompatibility problems with software that accessed ROM routines at certain addresses. Production costs had been reduced and the retail price dropped to £139–£149.
The new keyboard did not include the BASIC keyword markings that were found on earlier Spectrums, except for the keywords ''LOAD'', ''CODE'' and ''RUN'' which were useful for loading software. This was not a major issue however, as the +2 boasted a menu system, almost identical to the ZX Spectrum 128, where one could switch between 48k BASIC programming with the keywords, and 128k BASIC programming in which all words (keywords and otherwise) must be typed out in full (although the keywords are still stored internally as one character each). Despite these changes, the layout remained identical to that of the 128.
==Notes==
* From and an Amstrad CPC user's point of view , the ZX Spectrum is well known for being the source of [[Speccy Port|Speccy Ports]].
* The Spectrum +2 case design is comparable to the CPC464's case design because of the internal datacorder. The Spectrum +3 design shares some similarities with the CPC6128, the case design is similar with it's internal 3" disc drive, and the disc controller is the same as the CPC6128's. The CPC464 and CPC6128 came before these Spectrum's, so it is clear Amstrad used those as inspirations to update the Spectrum design.
* In France, every machine that didn't provide an RGB output was doomed as TVs were in SECAM, not PAL. Had Sinclair understood the need for an RGB output in France, the ZX Spectrum would have certainly been a success there, just like it did in the UK and Spain. The success of the [[Oric 1/Atmos|Oric]] in France proves it.
== Links ==
=== Links ===* [https://worldofspectrumyoutu.netbe/pubQIxf9bUit_g Over 100 ZX Spectrum 48K games in under 1 hour] [https:/sinclair/technical-docsyoutu.be/ZXSpectrum128K_OriginalTechnicalSpecification(1985)4MjqKswDx8I Over 50 ZX Spectrum 128K games in 30 minutes] [https://youtu.pdf be/Wd7lHltOGbA ZX Spectrum 128 SpecificationHD clips]*[https://youtu.be/MPSSJ_hFYhQ ZX Spectrum Commercials]* [Mediahttps://youtu.be/l5N937V8ZOw Sinclair C5 Infomercial] The ideal vehicle for ZX-Spectrum-128-Service-Manuallovers* [https://sinclair.pdfzilog.fr Sinclair's Spirit (FR)] Learn how to code with Z80 Assembler on ZX Spectrum with [[BDCIron]]* [https://problemkaputt.de/zxdocs.htm Noca$h's ZXdocs]* [http://scratchpadwww.wikiaretro8bitcomputers.co.uk/Content/downloads/books/SpectrumHardwareManual_2ndEdition.pdf Spectrum Hardware Manual]* [https://pdfcoffee.com/wikithe-zx-spectrum-ula-how-to-design-a-micro-chris-smith-pdf-free.html The ZX Spectrum ULA ebook]* [https:/ZX_Spectrum_technical_information/worldofspectrum.net/documentation/ ZX Spectrum documentation]* [https://sinclair.wiki.zxnet.co.uk Sinclair Wiki]
* [https://worldofspectrum.net/pub/sinclair/ World of Spectrum file server]
* [https://tzxvault.org/ The TZX Vault]
* [https://youtu.be/I9dHI6EwWTU Sinclair ZX Spectrum Story - Birth of a Classic] by [[Nostalgia Nerd]]
* [https://youtu.be/fTKckoSj-OE Timex Sinclair 2068 - The American ZX Spectrum] by [[The 8-Bit Guy]]
* [https://youtu.be/36TtdthpKT8 Electronica CIP-03 - Le ZX Spectrum Roumain !] by [[Olipix]]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ZX_Spectrum_clones List of ZX Spectrum clones]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfZ77Ltkols&list=PLIX9fyYxV0k_VOgMOIxseJH1c91KKcxKB ZX Spectrum vs Amstrad CPC] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wce82Q54dpA&list=PLIX9fyYxV0k_CanGbwkXdtlhmdtO62ZRW ZX Spectrum vs C64]
[[Category: Non CPC Computers]] [[Category:Amstrad Products|*]] [[Category:CPC History]]