Born Dead #0D 08 октября 1999

История     Фирменный Спектрум

voice from the grave - On a computer Z88.

ЇЄ ЄєЇGOLOS FROM GRAVES ЇєЄ ЄєЇ


(C) UnBEL! EVER ^ XTM

We continue to acquaint you, dear readers with materials
spektumovskih foreign journals, and in particular one of the
the most famous of them - SINCLAIR USER'a! Back in Samara
the electronic journal OBERON # 4 published a brief note on
a different computer - Z88.Teper time to tell about
This "miracle" in detail. Below I present two translations
material from the SU on Z88. The first article - advertising 
meterial, and the second - the independent expert to review! So 
you can to consider both points of view, the seller and buyer. 
Running forward, I want to note that the Z88 was not a

icky future as suggested by the author of the review. For 
example, the Alchemist Research site I saw rivers of a CD-ROM,

devoted to the Z88. So apparently, and was soft and the car in 
the people of bourgeois has taken root and are the benefits of 
the feasible. So ... 

-------------------------------------------------- -------------

                                  SINCLAIR USER # 61 (April 
1987) 

                                           page 84-85, 
(advertising) 


              By Clive Sinclair ... without compromise


                           Z88 COMPUTER


It takes less than a sheet of A4
It weighs less than 2 pounds.
It costs just £ 199.95

- Memory rashiryaetsya up to 3 MB ...
- Built-in word processor / spreadsheet, plus hours

  and data-managment system ...
- Revolutionary supertwist LCD ...
- Completely "within himself" - it may even "listen" and "talk" 
with 

  your IBM PC ...

Yet there were no computers, similar to the Z88. This 
extraordinary powerful machine is designed on the principle of 
everything in one performed in a portable version.


For 199.95 pounds Z88 is equipped with 32K of RAM resident.
Additional 32K worth of less than 20 pounds, and 128K at least 
50 pounds! Advanced users can also expand the RAM up

to the "insane" 3Mb, using podklyuchayushiesya RAM cartridges.

To print the text or data, Z88 is connected directly to
the most popular printers, interface RS232, while
for temporary data storage has a removable EPROM (EEPROM)
cartridge - no breaking of magnetic tapes and delicate in
handling floppy disks.

Think, Z88 is a powerful, full-fledged, self-contained system
he is also able to connect to an office microcomputer directly
to send / receive data and text.

OPPORTUNITIES Z88:

RAM: resident set to 32K, 15K of which are available for
Users (enough to store about 2 thousand words.)
Additional RAM in the 32K or 128K is supplied in cartridges. K
Z88 can be connected to three of these cartridges, which gives 
a total 416Kb memory (enough for a 200 page novel). 1Mbayt

Cartridges will appear shortly. Built-in rechargeable battery 
or AC adapter network will maintain the data stored in RAM, for 
a time until you change batteries.


Storage devices: At the time, as other machines
depend on cassette or CD drive, Z88 uses
EPROM - EEPROM cartridge with a very high speed access and
absolutely reliable. Up to three EPROM cartridges can be
connected: 32K and 128K and UV erasers are available already
now. 1Mbaytny EPROM is expected soon.

Port RS232:

- The cable that connects the car, popular models of printers.
- Exchange of text and data. Program on a floppy disk is 
designed for IBM-compatible computers with 5 or 3-inch floppy 
drive. If your computer can run such popular programs

as WordStar, Lotus 1-2-3 or WordPerfect, you can
share text and data between it and the Z88. Cable and
programs are available now.
- Modem also allows you to transmit text and data
by phone.

Power Source:

AC adapter or 4 batteries AA. CMOS technology pozovlyaet
use a computer 20 hours - or about one year
store data in RAM when the machine is turned off.

Size: 11.5 inches X 8.25 X 0.08, weighs less than 2lb

Powerful built-in software: unique, powerful
Operating System Z88, designed by Cambridge Computer Ltd,
and adapted by Protechnic Ltd. Z88 automatically
stores data in memory when switched off.

Programs - a set of spreadsheets and text
processor, with a sophistical help-system, created initially
as an integrated system that allows, for example, use
text as a table or on the contrary, the table in the form
text.

The word processor includes the ability to multi-column
O, a global search and replace, computing with the introduction 
of text results, and of course the usual text

processor capabilities. The screen can display such things
as thickening, italics, underline, and pointers breakdown
page. Also in the embedded software includes database selection,
calculator, with modifiable form of diary, calendar, clock
real-time clock.

Unique opportunity Z88 is the possibility of switching
between points of a problem, or even among several
different tasks, and thus do not need to store data, leaving
of the problem or restart the machine. For example in the 
calculation of table, you can easily switch to the diary, and 
then return to the same table - that will earn exactly the 
place to which reached the calculations.


Prices (in pounds):

Z88 COMPUTER ........................... 229,95
Network Adapter .......................... 9.95
RS-232 cable ............................ 9.95
Cables and software for sharing
data with the IBM PC ........................ 14,95
Modem ................................... 99.95
Cartridge RAM 32K ..................... 19,95
Cartridge RAM 128K .................... 49,95
Cartridge PROM at 32K .................... 12,95
Cartridge PROM at 128K ................... 49,95
Ultrafiloetovy eraser for PROM ..... 29.95

-------------------------------------------------- -------------

                                  SINCLAIR USER # 61 (April 
1987) 

                                        page 87, Rupert Goodwins


                       Sir Clive's new Z88


So what is this Z88? Well, it's the first thing Sir
Clive has done since the "big problems" and the Z88 is the most
Pandora's box of laptop PCs.

Laptop computer was always very old dream of Clive
Sinclair. QL was intended as a laptop, but until recently
time only Spectrum "pulled" on this portability. A
Now we have a Z88! Presented at "Which Computer? Show"
February 17, he impressed even the knowledgeable expert in 
computers. In the best Sinklerovskih traditions it is small and 
lightweight. He's black and ... he dear!


Main dstoinstva this first sugar-free Sinclair (rather
Cambridge Computer) machines - super-twist LCD, the processor 
Z80, keyboard, built-in software modules for data storage, and 
price. Major weaknesses - lack of tape port, incompatible with

imeyuschimesya machines, and no additional software. And how
I think the battery!

The new LCD screen is really good! Clear, shallow and
Fast, He liked even the Clive Sinclair. Super-twist,
By the way, is a technology in which liquid crystal
molecules distort (bend) themselves to block the light
in the event of a direct hit on the screen.

The screen serves a special "custom" chip (and there are only 4
pieces - just like in an old ZX81). Hardware "window"
sophisticated scrolling, hardware support for mixed text and
charts ... it seems that this is not the business of 
microcomputers, and almost gaming computer! The working area of 
​​the screen is 8 lines of 80 characters in each, plus three 
special windows odobrazhayuschie supporting information.


The processor Z80 EXEC on a new, super low-power technology.
Magic letters CMOS (CMOS) - a kind of electric circuits, very
low power consumption. As before, CMOS Z80 is not cheap.
It is fully compatible with the old version.

Keyboard a bit strange. Declared as "silent," she
made of more rigid than the standard LATEX
SPECTRUM'ovskaya. A little unusual to use, but not
such and uncomfortable.

So who buys these things? People who need it
"Embedded" software, here are the ones who put on
Clive Sinclair. Word processor and spreadsheet
topping the list. This is followed by a diary, alarm clock,
primitive database and a calculator. Also there is a (secret!)
BBC BASIC. There are no games at all! Finally, then, for what 
was written this article - Z88 is not yet complete!


The key to the work of the whole machine is a cartridge for 
storing information. They consist of a RAM or ROM chip, made in 
black plastic box, very similar to the cassette mikrodrayva and

inserted into the slot located in the front car. In one such
box can accommodate up to 3Mb of data.

All this economy is powered by standard batteries
WALKMAN-sized. Promised 20 hours of work from one kit.
Here skeptics might think that 20 miles, as stated in
Advertising can overcome C5 (see below), although in fact he
and up to 5 and then just barely falls short.

Oh, and price. 230 pounds - is in your pocket? I do not know, 
do not I know ... Total 32K RAM and a complete lack of 
tape-port ... Think that no one has bought even one piece. And 
now remember the QL. 


                                      I? Well, perhaps I'll 
wait ... 

-------------------------------------------------- -------------
BELOW:)

For those unfamiliar with the history of inventions Clive 
Sinclair, we explain; C5, mentioned above, this single electric 
car. More precisely say this tricycle - a device about the 
three wheels, powered by batteries, developing speed in 
15mil/chas and capable preodalet without charging those same 20 
miles:) In addition to battery C5 was veloprivod, and according 
to this control these vehicles tool can be as much at 14 years, 
with no driver's license and motorcycle helmet. Also like the 
cyclists, owners C5 were exempted from road tolls and fines, 
local cops:)


The base model C5 was worth 399 pounds, and the price of a 
complete set "A deluxe high as 600 pounds. However, despite the 
rather high value and strong criticism from the public,

during the first week of January 1985, immediately after the 
presentation machines have been sold around 1000 copies. Total 
Sinclair planned to sell the 1986 th year of not less than 
100.000 models C5, but ...