Sinclair ZX81 computers back on sale

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An obsolete British home computer, the Timex/Sinclair ZX81, has made an unexpected and daring reappearance onto the personal computing scene, thanks to a retro computer reseller in the US. The unique piece of computer nostalgia, created by English computing pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair and first marketed in 1981, heralded the begining of a new era by establishing a place for computers in the home. The ZX81 may have difficulties competing with the latest computer hardware, however. The machine features a modest Z80 processor running at 3.25MHz with just 1K of RAM and 8K ROM as standard. New York firm Zebra Systems has a warehouse full of Timex/Sinclair ZX81s and claims that the computers are proving a hit not just with nostalgic gadget geeks. The computers apparently still have a practical purpose in the high-tech world of modern computing. The company's home page boasts an endorsement from one Nasa engineer: "Send me four more kits, I'm using them as controllers for a project." The Sinclair ZX81 costs $99 (£68 -- roughly the same as they did in 1981) but are sadly not available outside the US. To have your say online click on the TalkBack button and go to the ZDNet News forum. Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom. And read what others have said.

Talkback

I have a ZX81 computer (in the UK) - hardly used - with a brand new unused printer, which goes with this (including paper) in original box. I also have a green plastic sheet which one put over the TV monitor to reduce the glare.

Would anybody give me an idea of how much this would be worth?

via Facebook 21 October, 2004 22:31
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