Difference between revisions of "Sinclair QL"
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| − | The Sinclair QL was Sir Clive Sinclair's attempt at a computer for business. | + | The Sinclair QL was Sir Clive Sinclair's attempt at a computer for business. It was released in January 1984. |
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. | ||
Revision as of 00:10, 28 January 2025
The Sinclair QL was Sir Clive Sinclair's attempt at a computer for business. It was released in January 1984.
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. It was discontinued 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 limit the QL's performance.
