Timex Sinclair 1000 Computer for $99.95 in 1982

CED in the History of Media Technology

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1982: Timex Sinclair Computer for $99.95 is Introduced

British inventor Sir Clive Marles Sinclair introduced the ZX80 in 1980, an inexpensive computer designed to bring computing to the masses. The tiny machine output black & white video and had a built-in RF modulator to display on one of two TV channels. The 1K ZX80 was updated to the ZX81 in March 1981 with 2K of memory. In July 1982 watch maker Timex began selling the Timex Sinclair 1000 clone of the ZX81 at their dealership network in the United States. At a retail price of $99.95, this was the first fully assembled computer for less than $100. The machine had an expansion port into which a $200 16K memory expansion could be plugged. The membrane keyboard was made a little easier to use by the single keyword entry feature of the Sinclair machines. The TS1000 was followed by the color Timex Sinclair 2068 in 1983 with a cartridge port and composite video output. Timex withdrew from the personal computer business in 1984.

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