ScuzzBlog: Diaries December 2024 Entry 8th December 2024: Post 1: Timex Sinclair Rarities - T/S 2048 and T/S 2068. Timex Sinclair Rarities - T/S 2048 and T/S 2068. Odd indeed that an American based company chose to develop versions of the Sinclair ZX range of machines. Starting with the ZX81 based T/S 1000 and T/S 1500 they moved onto the ZX Spectrum with the T/S 2000 which became the T/S 2048 prototype and ultimately the T/S 2068. Sadly the Timex Computer Corporation ceased trading in February 1984 and so production in the USA was discontinued. All was not lost as a Portuguese division managed to produce the machine in Portugal. The Timex Computing 2068 was produced right up to 1989 with the Unipolbrit Komputer 2086 picking up the line until the end. There were two versions of the machine, one in silver with a ZX Spectrum emulator cartridge and a black one sold with Timeword What I find most interesting about the silver version in particular is the literal polished nature of its appearance. It not only made the machine look more like the real deal, but also gave it a more commercial feel. Improvement were not simply limited to appearance but also to sound, keyboard and graphics. This computer is not featured in my collection as I never really took much interest in the USA variant given my fanaticism for the original. Reflecting on matters now I do wish I had acquired the silver one. Has the feel of a large Casio calculator which I am particularly fond of. The Sinclair 2048 is the more rare beast as it was cancelled before it was entered for production in 1984. Its failure was put down to the problems with the T/S 1500. The T/S 2068 was a much improved clone to the Spectrum proper with significant improvements to the original design. Such as Soundchip AY-3-8912, twin joystick ports, better keyboard, cartridge port and TIMEX SCLD chip. Text was 32x24characters, graphics 256x192 pixels, extended color 256x192, dual screen and high res with 512x192. It also came with improved T/S 2000 BASIC. The consequence of all these changes was to make the computer incompatible with most Sinclair Spectrum software. Interestingly Timex did produce 7 cartridges and 37 cassettes with many released both on cartridge and tape. In addition Timex Portugal also released cartridges. This computer is a true rarity and one deserved of a place in any serious collector of Sinclair memorabilia. Personally I'm gutted now I didn't get one. What a mistake to make. It follows that there are no pictures of my own creation. However here are a few videos you may find interesting. YOUTUBE The Timex Computer 2068 and The Timex Sinclair TS2068 Review, and Tech Test - Timex Sinclair 2068 with Spectrum ROM Timex Sinclair Rarities - T/S 2048 and T/S 2068.

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Last updated 8th December 2024

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