Editing ZX80 (section)

{{Short description|1980 cheap home computer by Sinclair}}
{{Lead too short|date=June 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{infobox computer
| Photo        = ZX80.jpg
| Type         = [[Home computer]]
| release date = United Kingdom: {{Start date and age|1980|1|29|df=yes|p=yes|br=yes}}
| Discontinued = 1981
| unitsshipped = {{nowrap|100,000}}<ref>{{ cite magazine | first = Martin | last = Hayman | title = Interview – Clive Sinclair | date = July 1982 | volume = 5 | issue = 7 | magazine = [[Practical Computing]] }}</ref>
| Processor    = [[Zilog Z80|Z80]] @ 3.25–3.55&nbsp;MHz (most machines used the [[NEC μPD780C-1]] equivalent)
| storage      = External [[Compact Cassette (data)|Compact Cassette]] recorder
| Memory       = 1&nbsp;KB (16&nbsp;KB max.)
| OS           = [[Sinclair BASIC]]
| Media        = [[Cassette tape]]
| Baseprice    = £99.95 GBP (£{{Inflation|UK|99.95|1980|r=0}}; ${{To USD|{{Inflation|UK|99.95|1980}}|GBR|round=yes}} at {{CURRENTYEAR}} prices)
| predecessor  = [[MK14]]
| successor    = [[ZX81]]
| display      = [[Binary image|Monochrome]] display on UHF television
| graphics     = 24 lines × 32 characters or<br /> 64 × 48 block graphics mode
}}

The '''Sinclair ZX80''' is a [[home computer]] launched on 29 January 1980<ref>{{cite web |title=Sinclair ZX80 Launched |url=https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/5445/Sinclair-ZX80-Launched/ |website=Centre for Computing History |access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref> by Science of Cambridge Ltd. (later to be better known as [[Sinclair Research]]). It is notable for being one of the first computers available in the [[United Kingdom]] for less than a hundred [[Pound Sterling|pounds]]. It was available in [[Electronic kit|kit form]] for £79.95, where purchasers had to assemble and solder it together, and as a ready-built version at £99.95.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=April 1981|title=Advertisement for Sinclair ZX81|url=https://archive.org/details/PracticalComputing1981April04|magazine=Practical Computing|volume=4|issue=4|pages=72–73}}</ref><ref name="byte198101" />

The ZX80 was advertised as the first personal computer for under £100 and received praise for its value and documentation. However, it faced criticism for screen blanking during program execution, small RAM size, and the keyboard design. It was very popular straight away, and for some time there was a waiting list of several months for either version of the machine.