Apparently, Timex hadn’t debuted with RAM expanders, though
this may be internet misinformation. Improved models followed,
with better keyboards and more RAM, but American rivals soon
price-matched Timex with stronger computers.
>> The reign of the Sinclair ZX8 1 ended with the arrival of the
ZX Spectrum in April 198 2. Users and developers were both
quick to move to the new machine, which had both sound and
color. Games for the ZX81 dried up shortly afterward and the
machine itself was discontinued in 198 4.
4
EMULATION
Numerous emulators are available, but our favorite is
ZEsarUX. It is simple to use, doesn’t require system
ROMs, and emulates other machines, including Sinclair clones.
>> ZEsarUX supports Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, plus a host
of lesser-known systems.
>> The URL for the emulator is https://github.com/
chernandezba/zesarux/releases, but you could just google
“github zesarux” instead.
>> On the right of the project’s GitHub page, there is a link
called “Releases”. Platform-specific binaries are provided in
compressed files, and some Linux distributions may already
have ZEsarUX in their repositories.
>> For Windows users, extract the ZIP file and open the
destination folder. ZEsarUX doesn’t come with an installer, so
you will have to open the executable manually. Double-click
zesarux.exe to start the program.
>> For Linux users, download and extract the binary tarball.
Open a terminal in the new folder and enter the command:
$ ./zesarux
5
USAGE
Once inside ZEsarUX, you will be greeted with a
help screen, press Enter to dismiss it. ZEsarUX
will probably run a ZX Spectrum by default, but you can
easily switch to a ZX80 or ZX81.
>> If the main menu hasn’t already been brought up,
press F5. From the main menu, choose Machine >
Sinclair Research, then pick either the ZX80 or ZX81.
>> The emulator will now reset into an empty BASIC
prompt. Don’t panic, you won’t have to learn any
commands. Just open the main menu again and choose
Smart Load. From here, open your cassette files and it
should open automatically. If your files are still zipped,
ZEsarUX will simply treat the ZIP file as a folder, and you
can open cassette images from within ZIP files.
>> If your program isn’t doing anything (you may see
a “0/0” message) press R, which will enter the RUN
command, and press Enter. This should get you out of
most jams, though it’s also worth remembering the
Continue button, which is mapped to the C key.
>> In a weird case of early British terminology, Enter
will generally be referred to as “Newline”. As for
controls, many games will work with your PC’s cursor
keys—a luxury of modern emulation—but Sinclairs
usually have their cursor keys mapped along keys 5 to 8 :
5 = Left, 6 = Down, 7 = Up, 8 = Right.
©^
WI
KI
ME
DIA
SINCLAIR ZX80 & ZX 81 (1 98 0, 198 1)
CPU: Zilog or NEC Z8 0 clone @ 3 .25MHz
RAM: 1 KB, 16 KB max (ZX80), 64 KB max (ZX81)
Launch price: £ 100 /$1 38 (ZX80), £70/$96 (ZX81)
Graphics: 24 lines × 32 characters,
or 64 × 48 pixels graphics mode (ZX81)
Sound: None
Storage: Cassette
OS: Sinclair BASIC
Released: January 1980 / March 1981
Production: 1980 / 198 1-1 984
Worldwide sales: 1 00,000 / 1.5 million
SPECIFICATIONS
While ZX81 software is plentiful, ZX80 software is difficult
to find, though there are plenty of programming manuals.
There are links on forums, such as sinclairzxworld.com, but
a great source of ZX80 software is Paul Farrow, who runs
the Sinclair ZX Resource Centre at http://www.fruitcake.plus.com.
Paul has an impressive collection of materials for both the
ZX80 and ZX81. ZX80 games include conversions of gaming
classics such as Kong and Pacman, without screen flicker.
Paul is renowned for pushing the limits of Sinclair
machines. His 2016 title, Against the Elements, pushes the
ZX81 to near-Spectrum levels of performance, with color
support via his Chroma SCART interface.
For other ZX81 sources, http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk has
received permission to host the software on display. Paul
also asked us to link the archives of http://www.zx81stuff.org.uk,
and Bob Smith’s new games at bobs-stuff.itch.io.
FINDING SOFTWARE
>> 3 D Monster Maze (1981) for the ZX 81 was hailed as
a technical triumph, being one of the first games with a
3D first-person perspective available for home systems.
HOL 2021 MAXIMUMPC 61
>> Despite their shortcomings
(and mockery by Red Dwarf!), these
machines have the magic ingredient
of classic home computers: a soul.
