{"id":136,"date":"2025-10-02T21:15:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T20:15:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pelnet.co.uk\/pablog\/?p=136"},"modified":"2026-02-05T21:08:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T21:08:44","slug":"8-bit-computing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pelnet.co.uk\/pablog\/technology\/computers\/8-bit-computing\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Bit Computing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

8 Bit Computing, a trip down memory lane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While still at school back in the 1980’s, home computers started becoming available and I was fortunate enough to be loaned a ZX80 by a friend. This started my passion for computers and programming. It also allowed me to experiment with interfacing computers with electronics projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not an extensive guide to 8 bit computers but a trip down memory lane describing the computers I have owned over the years, most of which I still have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinclair ZX80<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Released: 1980
CPU: Z80<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My ZX80 was loaned to me and had a little pink plastic box on top that contained a circuit to convert it to a ZX81. This circuit in combination with a new ROM allowed ZX81 software to to run on it and removed the annoying pause in display when the computer was doing something.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The photograph here was taken at the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinclair ZX81<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Released: 1981
CPU: Z80<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My original ZX81 suffered from a keyboard failure and I created a makeshift keyboard from PCB switches. I had the original case without the keyboard and purchased two more from eBay over the years including a boxed version. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After a recent test I had to use components from each to provide a single working version. It is difficult to get a usable picture from a ZX81 on a modern LCD television or monitor so a modification is required to provide the correct composite signal these monitors need. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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I used a simple version to test my ZX81 but I need to build a better version for a good display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acorn BBC Micro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Released: 1981
CPU: 6502<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have a BBC Micro Model B in my collection that was given to me by a friend. It had been heavily modified with extra memory and additional ROM space. I removed these and returned it back to as standard a condition as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I have a dual 51\/4″ disk drive for it and more recently I purchased a SD Card Drive. A while ago it suffered from the dreaded breakdown of the power supply capacitors resulting in a lot of smoke. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I replaced the capacitors and the computer sprang back to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinclair ZX Spectrum<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Released: 1982
CPU: Z80A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I have a 48K Spectrum I purchased from eBay many years ago. I only checked it worked and never did much more with it. At some point I will set it up and take some pictures.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Dragon Data Dragon 32<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Released: 1982
CPU: 6809<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have two Dragon 32’s in my collection and a Dragon 64. My original Dragon 32 was removed from its case and put in a home made case. Many years later after my original case disappeared, I bought a non-working Dragon from eBay and restored it to a working condition using my original PCB’s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Later a second Dragon was given to me by a friend along with a collection of software titles most of which I have now. Back in the 1980’s I really wanted a Dragon 64 and over 30 years later I added one to my collection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is my favourite 8 bit computer and is the one I use the most now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple IIe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Released: 1983
CPU: 6502<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My Apple IIe belonged to my father-in-law. I have not used it much but I still have the disk drives and software he originally purchased.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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This is the end of my trip down memory lane. There is quite a revival of 8 bit home computing and lots of Facebook groups exist for like minded people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My next memory of home computing will be about the 16 bit era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n