Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128

 Home > Browse Our Collection > Computers > Sinclair > Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128
 

Sinclair developed the ZX Spectrum 128 (code-named Derby) in conjunction with their Spanish distributor Investrónica. Investrónica had helped adapt the ZX Spectrum+ to the Spanish market after the Spanish government introduced a special tax on all computers with 64 KB RAM or less which did not support the Spanish alphabet (including ñ) and show messages in Spanish.

New features included 128 KB RAM, three-channel audio via the AY-3-8912 chip, MIDI compatibility, an RS-232 serial port, an RGB monitor port, 32 KB of ROM including an improved BASIC editor and an external keypad. (only officially released in Spain.

The machine was simultaneously presented for the first time and launched in September 1985 at the SIMO '85 trade show in Spain, with a price of 44,250 pesetas. Because of the large amount of unsold Spectrum+ models, Sinclair decided not to start selling in the UK until January 1986 at a price of £179.95. No external keypad was available for the UK release, although the ROM routines to utilise it and the port itself, which was hastily renamed "AUX", remained.

The machine resembles a Sinclair Spectrum +, but has red lettering and a large heat sink on the right hand side, this was needed as the new chips and architecture produced more heat than the case could dissipate.

This was the first Spectrum that could be connected to scart or RGB monitor, the rear of the machine had this, and the PSU socket and the standard Expansion I/O, as well as the RF socket.

On the front is the Keypad socket and the leftt hand side has the RS 232, and the mic and ear ones for tape loading/saving.

Sadly the machine was only on sale for a few months before Amstrad bought the rights to the Sinclair name and IP, and the machine was altered slightly and became the Spectrum +2

Around 30,000 of these machines made it into market, and are becoming less common today.

CPU Zilog Z80 A
SPEED 3.5469MHz
RAM 128kb
ROM 32kb (16k 48k Basic + 16k 128k Basic)
TEXT MODES  32 x 24
GRAPHIC MODES  256 x 192
COLORS  8 with two tones each (normal and bright)
SOUND 3 channels, 7 octaves (Yamaha AY-3-8912)
SIZE / WEIGHT  320 x 150 x 45 mm

Photograph © Bill Bertram 2006

Our model was kindly donated by Paula from Norfolk

Manufacturer: Sinclair
Date: January 1986



Comment on This Page

Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128 Manuals:

Item Manufacturer Date
A Course in BASIC Programming - ZX80 Operating Manual Science of Cambridge 1980
Technology Research Disk Interface Manual Technology Research Ltd 1984
Servicing Manual for ZX Spectrum Sinclair Research Ltd Jan 1984
Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2 Manual Sinclair 1986
Spectral Manual (East German ZX Spectrum Clone) Hübner Elektronik 1988

Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128 Articles:

Item Manufacturer Date
Memories - The Tatung Einstein (1) Unknown
Memories - My History of Computing - From a School Teacher Feb 2009

Other Systems Related To Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128:

Item Manufacturer Date
Prototype of MK14 Sinclair 1977
Science of Cambridge MK 14 + Original Keyboard Sinclair 1977
Science of Cambridge MK 14 - Original Kit Sinclair 1977
Science of Cambridge MK14 + Memory Expansion in wooden case Sinclair 1977
Science of Cambridge MK14 Sinclair 1977
Sinclair ZX80 8K Basic Sinclair 1980
Sinclair ZX81 with Basic EPROM Sinclair 1980
Sinclair ZX80 Prototype PDZ 4732 Basic ROM - Nine Tiles Sinclair 1980
Sinclair ZX80 Updated to ZX81 Sinclair 1980
Sinclair ZX80 Sinclair 1st June 1980
Sinclair ZX81 Kit Sinclair 1981
Sinclair ZX Spectrum Prototype Sinclair 1981
Sinclair ZX81 Sinclair 1981
Sinclair ZX81 - Signed by Rick Dickinson Sinclair 5th March 1981
Sinclair ZX81 with Custom Case/Keyboard Sinclair 5th March 1981
Argentinian Sinclair Spectrum Sinclair 1982
Sinclair Spectrum with Homemade Keyboard Sinclair 1982
White Replica ZX Spectrum (Millionth Edition) Sinclair 1982
Early Sinclair ZX Spectrum Computer Sinclair 1982
Timex Sinclair 1000 Sinclair 1982
Sinclair ZX Spectrum Console Sinclair 1982
ZX Spectrum Issue 2 With ULA Modification Sinclair 1982
Timex Sinclair 1500 Sinclair 1982
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K (BBC) Sinclair 1st March 1982
Sinclair ZX Spectrum Case (Signed) Sinclair 1st March 1982
Sinclair ZX Spectrum Computer - Early Issue Sinclair 23rd April 1982
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k Sinclair 23rd April 1982
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 16K Sinclair 23rd April 1982
Sinclair Spectrum (Assembled in Portugal) Sinclair 1983
Sinclair QL + Schön Keyboard Sinclair 1984
Sinclair QL (German) Sinclair 1984
Sinclair QL (Signed) Sinclair 1984
Sinclair QL (US) Sinclair 1984
Sinclair QL (Property of Sinclair) Sinclair 1984
Sinclair QL Sinclair 1984
Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ Sinclair 1st June 1984
Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2 Sinclair 1986
Cambridge Z88 All In One Pack Sinclair 1987
Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3 (Currys Box) Sinclair 1st June 1987
Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3 Sinclair 1st June 1987
Sinclair PC200 Sinclair 1988
Cambridge Z88 With PC Link Kit Sinclair 1988
SJL 68008-PC Sinclair 1988

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH2584. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

 

Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128

  Book Archive   [87]
  Games Archive   [1715]
  Software Archive   [169]
  Type-in Listings   [15]
  Peripherals   [81]
  Promotional Items   [12]

Click on the Image(s) For Detail


Articles

Related Video

Easy Microcomputing - 1984 - VHS Tape
Easy Microcomputing - 1984 - VHS Tape

Rick Dickinson - Industrial Design of the Spectrum Next
Rick Dickinson - Industrial Design of the Spectrum Next

Rick Dickinson on BBC Arts 2016
Rick Dickinson on BBC Arts 2016

The Prototype Sinclair ZX Spectrum ROM
The Prototype Sinclair ZX Spectrum ROM

Help support the museum by buying from the museum shop

View all items

Founding Sponsors
redgate Google ARM Real VNC Microsoft Research
Heritage Lottery Funded
Heritage Lottery Fund
Accredited Museum