Timex Sinclair 1000 Microcomputer

Object Details

Timex Computer Corporation

Description

The Timex/Sinclair 1000 was the U.S. version of the Sinclair ZX-81, which was made by Sinclair Research, Ltd. One of the earliest versions of the home computer, the TS-1000 hit stores in 1981. At $99 it was certainly one of the most affordable early machines, and Timex sold over 600,000. Its introduction caused other companies to lower their prices and include more features in their computers in order to compete.

The size of a book and weighing 20 ounces, the Timex/Sinclair used a television set as a monitor. Data was stored on cassette tape. The processor was a Z80A microchip running at 3.5 MHz, and the ROM was 8 KB (the earliest version had only 1 KB). The computer keyboard was flat and the keys used black characters on a white background. The Timex could be used around the home for such tasks as budget management, checkbook balancing, and entertainment, but the limitations of the machine made tasks rudimentary. Users could also write programs in BASIC. Accessories included a small "adding machine" type printer and a 16 KB RAM drive. Purchasers of it could also buy pre-programmed cassettes, among them BASIC versions of games such as space invaders.

This particular computer was given to the Smithsonian by Daniel Ross, Vice-President of Computer Products of the Timex Computer Corporation. It was one of a series of TS-1000s donated to science museums across the United States. Included with the donation are a power supply, a TV connector, and an instruction manual. The object has serial number T-000001.

Despite brisk sales, Timex dropped out of the computer market in the spring of 1984.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Timex Computer Corp.

1981-1983

1982-1983

ID Number

1983.0289.01

catalog number

1983.0289.01

accession number

1983.0289

Object Name

microcomputer

Physical Description

plastic (overall material)

metal (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 1 1/2 in x 6 1/2 in x 7 in; 3.81 cm x 16.51 cm x 17.78 cm

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Computers

Family & Social Life

Work

Computers & Business Machines

National Museum of American History

Subject

Timex Sinclair

Record ID

nmah_334354

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a1-3f09-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa