1. What Was the ZX81?

The ZX81 was a low-cost home computer released in 1981 by Sinclair Research in the UK. Designed as the successor to the ZX80, it was created with affordability and accessibility in mind, targeting a mass audience eager to explore computing for the first time. With a minimalist design, membrane keyboard, and just 1 KB of RAM, the ZX81 offered incredible value for its time.

Despite its limitations, the ZX81 became a huge success in the UK and helped spark the home computer revolution of the early 1980s, especially among hobbyists and future programmers.

2. Key Features of the ZX81

• Z80 CPU: ran at 3.25 MHz and powered a wide range of early home computers.
• 1 KB RAM: expandable via external modules up to 16 KB or more.
• Monochrome display: text and basic graphics output to a TV in black and white.
• Membrane keyboard: a flat, touch-sensitive surface for input.
• Stored data on cassette tapes: programs were saved and loaded via audio cassettes.

3. Games and Software

• Early gaming classics: including 3D Monster Maze, Chess, and Flight Simulation.
• Text-based adventures: due to limited graphics, many games were narrative-driven.
• DIY programming: users wrote and typed in BASIC programs from books and magazines.

4. Legacy and Influence

The ZX81 played a major role in making computing accessible to the general public. It inspired a generation of British coders and paved the way for the iconic ZX Spectrum. Its minimalist hardware taught users how computers worked from the inside out.

• Sold over 1.5 million units: a commercial success on a global scale.
• Still emulated and cloned: modern kits and software recreate the ZX81 experience.
• Educational impact: a stepping stone for many into computer science and electronics.