The Spectrum was among the first mainstream audience home computers in the UK, similar in significance to the Commodore 64 in the USA. The introduction of the ZX Spectrum led to a boom in companies producing software and hardware for the machine, some credit it as the machine which launched the UK IT industry. Licensing deals and clones followed, and earned Clive Sinclair a knighthood for "services to British industry".
The [[c64|Commodore 64]], [[BBC Microcomputer Micro]] and later the [[CPC|Amstrad CPC]] range were major rivals to the Spectrum in the UK market during the early 1980s. The ZX Spectrum has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to the accessibility of ZX Spectrum emulators, allowing 1980s video game enthusiasts to enjoy classic titles without the long loading times associated with data cassettes. Over 20,000 titles have been released since the Spectrum's launch and new titles continue to be released, with over 90 new ones in 2010.
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In April 1986, Amstrad acquired Sinclair for 5 million pounds. See [https://youtu.be/rGzqvyKYVVI The Amazing TRUE Story Of How Amstrad Bought Sinclair] by [[ChinnyVision]].
At the time of the Amstrad deal, Sinclair was well advanced with development plans for a new Spectrum micro - the £200 SuperSpectrum. The full details can be found here: [https://sinclairuser.com/051/loki.htm Sinclair User article - June 1986]
=== ZX Spectrum +2 ===
The power supply of the ZX Spectrum +2A used the same [[pinout]] as the +3. However, the power supply purchased with the +2A/B had "Sinclair +2" written on the case.
Starting with the +2A, a Gate Array chip produced by Amstrad incorporates the functionalities from the ULA, PCF and HAL chips into a single package. It comes in QFP form instead of the traditional DIP.
=== ZX Spectrum +3 ===
The ''ZX Spectrum +2B'' and ''ZX Spectrum +3B'' were functionally similar in design to the Spectrum +2A and +3. The main electronic differences being simply changes to the generation of the audio output signal to resolve problems with [[Clipping (audio)|clipping]] and the removal of the external tape loading input ("ear" pin).
Unlike the +2A , the Spectrum +2B motherboard (AMSTRAD part number Z70833) does not have provision for floppy disk controller circuitry so cannot be assembled as a +3B. The +3B motherboard is Amstrad part number Z70835.
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