Sinclair ql

Sinclair ql
Sinclair ql
Type of	Personal Computer
Date of issue	January 12, 1984
Produced by	April 1986
Bit byte (bit)	8 bit
Bit depth (bit)	16/32 bit
Address Bus Width (bit)	20 bit
Architecture	CISC
CPU	Motorola 68008 at a frequency of 7.5 MHz
RAM	128 KB, expandable up to 640 KB
Data storage devices	cartridge, ZX Microdrive
OS	Sinclair qdos
Predecessor

Sinclair QL is a personal computer released by Sinclair Research in 1984 as the successor to the ZX Spectrum . QL was aimed at an amateur audience as well as a small business, but did not achieve commercial success. Sinclair QL is the world's first 32-bit computer designed for home use .

Inside QL (with Minerva ROM)

Back view

QL was conceived back in 1981 under the code name "ZX83", as a laptop computer for businessmen, with a built-in flat CRT display and modem . During development, the code name changed to “ZX84”, and at some point it became clear that portability was too ambitious, and the specification was reduced to the traditional desktop configuration.

Content

1 Specifications
2 Software
3 Interesting Facts
4 notes
5 Links

Specifications

Processor: Motorola 68008 at a frequency of 7.5 MHz
RAM: 128 KB expandable to 640 KB
Graphics (uses 32 KB of main RAM):
- 256 × 256, 8 colors (each pixel has a blinking attribute)
- 512 × 256, 4 colors (black, red, green, white)
- Shadow screen (uses another 32 KB)
Keyboard - 65 (5 function) keys
Dimensions 47.2 × 13.8 × 4.6 cm
Weight 1.4 kg

Built on the basis of the Motorola 68008 processor at a clock frequency of 7.5 MHz, QL had 128 KB of RAM (officially expandable to 640 KB) and could be connected to a monitor or TV . The chips used were Intel 8049 , Sinclair ZX8301 and Sinclair ZX8302. Two built-in ZX Microdrive drives (the first such drive appeared as peripherals to the ZX Spectrum) were used as a long-term storage device, instead of the more expensive floppy drives that were commonly used on similar systems of the time. QL Interfaces: expansion port, ROM cartridge slot, two RS-232 ports , a QLAN LAN port, two joystick ports and an external Microdrive bus. Two video modes were available: 256 × 256 pixels in 8 colors (from the RGB palette ) and the ability to blink individual pixels, or 512 × 256 with 4 colors (black, red, green and white). Any of these modes used a 32 KB buffer in main memory. The equipment allowed switching between two different image buffers, thereby providing such an opportunity as double buffering ; but this feature required 64 KB of 128 KB of the minimum installed in the system, and the original QL firmware did not support this feature. An alternative, much improved operating system, provided full support for the second buffer.

Software

The computer’s ROM contains the multi-tasking operating system, which includes the interpreter. Initially, was enlisted to work on the OS, but then it was abandoned in favor of its operating system; a project started at GST was later released as and was offered as an alternative to QDOS, in the form of a card plugged into an expansion port.

Along with QL, an office suite created in Psion was also delivered - Quill text editor, Abacus spreadsheet, Archive database, Easel charting software.

Interesting Facts

It is known that Linus Torvalds (creator of the Linux kernel ) owned Sinclair QL and studied programming on it ^[1] .
The abbreviation QL is derived from the phrase English. Quantum Leap - quantum leap .
Sinclair QL is the first 32-bit processor based home computer. When Clive Sinclair found out that Apple is also preparing a 32-bit computer for home use and small businesses, they made every effort to release the Sinclair QL before the Apple computer. In fact, Sinclair QL came out just a few days earlier, but due to the rush in development, the reliability of the computer and the quality of the implementation of some functions were below acceptable levels. This is also one of the reasons why the Sinclair QL was commercially unsuccessful. .

Notes

↑ Linus Torvalds, David Diamond. "For pleasure: A story of an accidental revolutionary." - Eksmo Press, 2002 .-- 288 p. - ISBN ISBN 0-06-662072-4 , ISBN 0-06-662073-2 , ISBN 0-694-52539-1 , ISBN 0-694-52544-8 , ISBN 5-04-009285-7 .

Links

[1] Linus Torvalds, David Diamond. "For pleasure: A story of an accidental revolutionary." - Eksmo Press, 2002 .-- 288 p. - ISBN ISBN 0-06-662072-4 , ISBN 0-06-662073-2 , ISBN 0-694-52539-1 , ISBN 0-694-52544-8 , ISBN 5-04-009285-7 .