Starring the Computer - Sinclair Research ZX81

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Sinclair Research ZX81

A redesign of the earlier ZX80, built with fewer chips to save money, the ZX81 was very popular because of its low price (£70 in 1981). A slight modification to allow it to output to NTSC televisions was sold as the Timex Sinclair 1000 in the USA. The greatest limitation of this machine was its 1K memory and 16 RAM packs were a popular add-on.

• Disorderlies (1987) • The IT Crowd - Season 3 (2008) • The IT Crowd - Season 1 (2006) • Micro Men (2009) • Primeval - Season 1, Episode 4 (2007) • Whiz Kids - Episode 11 "Watch Out!" (1984)

Disorderlies (1987)

The ZX81 is an integral part of Albert's rather fanciful pill dispensing machine.

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The IT Crowd - Season 1 (2006)

Moss uses Jen's failure to recognise the ZX81 as proof of her lack of computer knowledge.

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The IT Crowd - Season 3 (2008)

There's a ZX81 in the pile of equipment behind Moss' desk.

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Micro Men (2009)

The ZX81 is Sinclair's first computer with mass appeal.

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Primeval - Season 1, Episode 4 (2007)

Tom and Duncan have a ZX81 lying unused on the desk in their room.

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Whiz Kids - Episode 11 "Watch Out!" (1984)

After their normal computer, RALF, is stolen by Krebbs, the gang are reduced to using a lowly ZX81 to prove the TV rating are being fixed.

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The ZX81 is shown as having a 80 column display, which it didn't, and there is no evidence of a modem.

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james@starringthecomputer.com