1,562 bytes added,
28 January The Sinclair QL was Sir Clive Sinclair's attempt at a computer for business.
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!
== QL Specifications ==
{| class="wikitable"
! 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.