Computers for the masses: Sinclair QL
Personal Computer World, June 1981

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Right from the start, I had better explain that the QL costs £50 in kit form and £70 ready-built and, as such, represents absolutely amazing value for money. Whatever shortcomings are highlighted in this Benchtest must be weighed against this fact.

Like the ZX80, its predecessor, the QL will be available by mail-order and, by the time you read this, deliveries should be coming through. Clive Sinclair tells me that he plans to up production to 10,000 units per month starting in April and that he'll be producing 10,000 ZX80s to satisfy overseas demand, so, providing that 10,000 or fewer of you order the new machine per month, delivery should be swift.

Sinclair has been a bit cheeky in his advertisements. Under a column entitled 'New, improved features', he proceeds to mention three things that were included in the ZX80 when it was launched over a year ago!

For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the ZX80, it was the first ready-built computer to break the psychological £100 price barrier. It was well-made but looked slightly cheap in its lightweight plastic case and with its shiny keyplate. The 'keys' were printed on a plastic membrane with a metallised back; when each 'key' was pressed, the metallic back came in contact with