ZX Spectrum



The ZX Spectrum is a line of 8-bit personal computers from British company Sinclair Research.

Its hardware was nothing to write home about. In fact, it suffered from a graphical quirk called "attribute clash" that limited its colors in a bizarre way and made its games look downright primitive when compared to other machines of its day. Nonetheless, its extremely low cost (less than half the price of a Commodore 64) made it hugely successful in the United Kingdom; it was also very popular in the Eastern Bloc and in Brazil, in the form of unlicensed clones. Consequently, the Spectrum amassed a rather vast gaming library. In the USA, authorized clones were sold by Timex, without the same success.

Despite the Spectrum's popularity, a number of overambitious projects and poorly received products caused financial difficulties to Sinclair; the company was bought by long-time rival Amstrad, who continued to produce the Spectrum line until the early 90s.