Difference between revisions of "Sinclair QL"
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The Sinclair QL was Sir Clive Sinclair's attempt at a computer for business. It was released in January 1984, a few days before the Apple [[Macintosh]] and a few months before the Amstrad CPC 464. | The Sinclair QL was Sir Clive Sinclair's attempt at a computer for business. It was released in January 1984, a few days before the Apple [[Macintosh]] and a few months before the Amstrad CPC 464. | ||
| − | The QL signalled a move away from Sinclair's "traditional" use of the Z80 processor to a multi-tasking system based on a 68008 processor and 8049 second processor. | + | The QL signalled a move away from Sinclair's "traditional" use of the [[Z80]] processor to a multi-tasking system based on a 68008 processor and 8049 second processor. |
The QL features a structured on-board version of BASIC called SuperBASIC, and a multi-tasking operating system (QDOS), which was quite an innovation back in its launch days! | The QL features a structured on-board version of BASIC called SuperBASIC, and a multi-tasking operating system (QDOS), which was quite an innovation back in its launch days! | ||
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| − | While the CPU clock speed is comparable to that of the [[Macintosh]], [[Atari ST]] and [[Amiga]], the 8-bit databus seriously | + | While the CPU clock speed is comparable to that of the [[Macintosh]], [[Atari ST]] and [[Amiga]], the 8-bit databus seriously limits the QL's performance. |
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| + | *{{EnWiki}} | ||
| + | *[https://qlwiki.qlforum.co.uk/ Sinclair QL Wiki] | ||
| + | *[https://www.qlforum.co.uk The Sinclair QL Forum] | ||
*[https://youtu.be/yU_VUN9VVcM Sinclair QL System Review & Story] by [[Nostalgia Nerd]] | *[https://youtu.be/yU_VUN9VVcM Sinclair QL System Review & Story] by [[Nostalgia Nerd]] | ||
*[https://youtu.be/AO5BUIKykMM Sinclair QL - TV advertisement] | *[https://youtu.be/AO5BUIKykMM Sinclair QL - TV advertisement] | ||
| + | *[https://dilwyn.qlforum.co.uk/ Dilwyn Jones Sinclair QL Pages] | ||
| + | *[https://dilwyn.qlforum.co.uk/docs/ebooks/olqlug/index.htm Sinclair QL User Guide] [https://sinclairql.net/srv/index.html Sinclair QL Service Manual] | ||
| + | *[https://frummel.org/~weedz/atari/docs/ql/ZX8301.pdf ZX8301 ULA documentation] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Non CPC Computers]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:50, 6 February 2025
The Sinclair QL was Sir Clive Sinclair's attempt at a computer for business. It was released in January 1984, a few days before the Apple Macintosh and a few months before the Amstrad CPC 464.
The QL signalled a move away from Sinclair's "traditional" use of the Z80 processor to a multi-tasking system based on a 68008 processor and 8049 second processor.
The QL features a structured on-board version of BASIC called SuperBASIC, and a multi-tasking operating system (QDOS), which was quite an innovation back in its launch days!
150,000 units were sold. Immediately after acquiring Sinclair, Amstrad discontinued the QL in April 1986.
QL Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | 7.5MHz Motorola MC68008 |
| RAM | 128KB, expandable to 640KB or 896KB |
| ROM | 48KB on board - QDOS and SuperBASIC |
| Plug-in ROM | 16KB via ROM connector port |
| Storage | Two 100KB microdrives (removable tape loop cartridges) |
| Display | 512×256 in 4 colours, 85×25 text; 256×256 in 8 colours, 42×25 text |
| Operating system | QDOS, Single user pre-emptive multitasking |
| Expansion ports | Main I/O connector, EPROM connector, 2 joystick ports, 2 RS-232-C ports, TV modulator, RGB monitor, Composite video, External microdrives, 2 QL network sockets. |
| On board programming language | QL SuperBASIC (Sinclair's structured BASIC interpreter) |
| Supplied software | Quill word processor, Abacus spreadsheet, Archive database, Easel business graphics. Some QLs were also supplied with a games cartridge. |
While the CPU clock speed is comparable to that of the Macintosh, Atari ST and Amiga, the 8-bit databus seriously limits the QL's performance.
