Their improvements included more memory, a sound chip (yamaha?) that was
incorperated into the later spectrums anyway (just different location) and
built in joystick ports.
It was more bang for the buck compared to what the c64 costs during the same
time. Timex also was going to make a disk system addon, did make a 1200 baud
modem, and some other stuff before they pulled the plug. No software meant a
dead system.
Even if they didnt make the 2068 non compatible with the spectrum the
british market and US market were 2 different thing. Not having a disk drive
available, and limited graphics and sound limited how usefull the machine
was for games.
I think they only made 20,000 units or so, and they get close to $100 on
ebay for one. Mine is here somewhere and I did keep the original box (20
years of dust and all)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Al Hartman" <alhartman_at_yahoo.com>
To: <cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 7:37 PM
Subject: Re: Check out this TI99/4 on eBay
> > From: "TeoZ" <teoz_at_neo.rr.com>
> >
> > My first computer was a timex 2068 and learning to
> > program on chicklet keyboards sucks.
>
> But.. Those were pretty nice computers...
>
> Timex did make an incredible goof with those...
>
> Originally, it was intended to be an American Version
> of the 48k ZX-Spectrum Computer.
>
> But, as-is it wouldn't pass FCC regulations.
>
> So, they redesigned the computer to do so, and decided
> to "improve" it. Designing out most compatibility with
> the Spectrum in the process.
>
> With a set of Spectrum ROMS in a cartridge, and a
> "Twister" card (to convert the expansion edge back to
> the Spectrum version), one could use Spectrum Hardware
> and software on it.
>
> There were third party keyboards for it also, and when
> Sinclair was bought out, the company that bought it (I
> can't remember the name), made better versions of the
> Spectrum with built in Microdrives or Cassette Player,
> and a better keyboard.
>
> I have a U.S. Prototype of the Spectrum, a Microdrive
> interface and drive, and the Timex of Portugal 3inch
> Disk Drive System (which also turned it into a CP/M
> Computer).
>
> A nice computer for the time if you tricked it out a
> little.
>
> The company I worked for in the 80's even made a
> drawing program similar to MacPaint for it, called
> TechDraw, A Spectrum Emulator Cartridge, Disk System,
> Terminal Software (for the Timex Modem), and lots
> more...
>
> Also, fun days...
>
> I hope to spot one at a flea market to have one again.
> I still have my ZX-81 though.
>
> You can still get kits for the ZX-81, and some books
> and software from www.zebrasystems.com
>
>
> Regards,
> Al Hartman
Received on Wed Feb 26 2003 - 20:47:00 GMT