The successful ZX Spectrum was delivered with 16 or 48 KB of RAM as well as a cheap rubber keyboard and hardly any connectors. In the end of 1984 the Spectrum + was launched,
which was delivered in a more modern case with 48 kB and an improved keyboard, but otherwise identical to its predecessor. This was followed by the Spectrum 128, which
was improved technically and now had 128 kB memory. Also new were the AY-3-8912 sound chip, the serial port with MIDI compatibility, an RGB monitor port, a reset button,
a larger ROM with improved BASIC and the possibility to connect an external numeric keypad. After the acquisition of Sinclair by Amstrad in 1986, the Spectrum +2 launched.
It basically was a Spectrum 128 with a built-in cassette drive ("Datacorder") in a gray housing. There were also two SJ joystick ports (requiring special joysticks or an
adapter to use standard Atari joysticks).
Successor was the Spectrum +3 with an built-in 3 inch floppy disk drive. Similar to the +2A (a +2 in a black case instead of grey) the +3 was not fully compatible any longer and could not run all older software titles made for the 48 and 128 range of computers. All Spectrum models sold a total of around 5 million times. The Spectrum was for a long time the best-selling home computer with the largest software offering on the British home market.
Successor was the Spectrum +3 with an built-in 3 inch floppy disk drive. Similar to the +2A (a +2 in a black case instead of grey) the +3 was not fully compatible any longer and could not run all older software titles made for the 48 and 128 range of computers. All Spectrum models sold a total of around 5 million times. The Spectrum was for a long time the best-selling home computer with the largest software offering on the British home market.
For the first time in the Spectrum range the gray case contains the computer, the keyboard and also a mass storage medium (cassette drive). The model with
the "Datacorder" was released after the takeover by Amstrad and reminds of the Amstrad CPC, which was also came with a built-in tape drive on the right side.
A power LED that was missing from the predecessor indicates whether the device is in operation.
The Sinclair logo and improved keyboard.
On the left side there is a reset button and two joystick ports for special Sinclair SJ joysticks. At the back there is the sound output (3,5mm jack), the
TV modulator, a RGB monitor connection, a connection for an external numeric keypad, the serial port (RS232, MIDI), the big extension bus as well as the
power supply connection (9V DC, inner negative pin).
At the bottom of the Spectrum +2 there are four rubber feet and a sticker with the serial number. In the middle the place of manufacture is specified - this
+2 was made in Taiwan.
Inside, on the right side, there is space for the cassette drive which is mounted to the top case as well as a large, black heat sink. On the left, the
joystick connections and the TV modulator. On the top right you can find the expansion port. The chip labeled 40054 is the ROM which contains BASIC. Next
to it you can find the Z80 processor and the 40058 ASIC. The chip on the left is the AY-3-8912 sound chip.
Operating system
If you turn on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2, you end up in this menu. You can start a cassette here, a calculator, go to the new 128-BASIC or to the conventional
48k-BASIC. The new BASIC has been completely improved, commands are now entered normally (letter by letter).
The power-on message of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum (compatibility mode: 48k BASIC selected from the menu). You could not type commands letter by letter as usual
with other computers, but each key was assigned to several commands so you don't have to type them in. On the keyboard of the Spectrum +2, however, most commands
are no longer printed to the keys, which makes operation difficult. Only the most important commands (LOAD, CODE and RUN) are assigned to keys, which makes the
operation in the conventional 48k-BASIC a little easier.
3D Model
not available
Specifications
Released: | 1986 |
Production ends: | - |
Launch price: | - |
Processor: | Z80A (3,5 MHz) |
RAM: | 128 KB |
operating system: | Sinclair 48 BASIC Sinclair 128 BASIC |
graphics chip: | ULA |
Resolution: | 256x192 |
Colors: | 15 |
Soundchip: | ULA and AY-3-8912 |
Sound: | three voices, Mono (AY) one voice, Mono (ULA) |
Size: | 440 x 170 x 60 mm |
Connections: | PSU TV (RF-Modulator) RGB (Monitor) Sound RS 232 / MIDI (serial) Keypad (external number block) 2x Joystick (SJ-Joy) expansion port |
expansions inside: | none |
Units sold: | 5 Millions (all versions) |
Rare? | ![]() |
Collection
The above shown computers are in the collection!
suitable
Compatible drives for the computer Sinclair +2:
- none in collection
- none in collection