MicroAce

Sinclair ZX80 clone, designed and manufactured by CompShop and distributed in the USA by MicroAce

MicroAce

MicroAce advertisement, 1980

Manufacturer| CompShop, MicroAce
Type| Home computer
Release date| 1980; 45 years ago (1980)
Introductory price| $149
Media| Cassette tape
Operating system| Sinclair BASIC
CPU| Z80 @ 3.25 MHz
Memory| 1 KB
Display| Monochrome display on UHF television
Graphics| 24 lines × 32 characters or
64 × 48 block graphics mode
Backward
compatibility| Sinclair ZX80

The MicroAce was a 1980 Sinclair ZX80 home computer clone, designed and manufactured by CompShop and distributed in the USA by MicroAce of Santa Ana, California.[1][2][3]

It was also sold in Australia and was distributed by Dick Smith Electronics.

## Description

[edit]

Advertised as "a microcomputer for everyone at a micro price ... a complete computer for $149.00 for 1K [RAM] kit" with optional 2K RAM,[4][5] it was an unlicensed clone of the Sinclair ZX80 and had an identical, yet obfuscated copy of the ROM by means of a bit-swap.[6][7] Some time later, between 1980 and 1981, MicroAce settled with Sinclair and licensed the ROM of the ZX81.[8][9]

## Reception

[edit]

BYTE stated that the instructions were insufficient for those inexperienced in kit assembly, and suggested that beginners learn how to solder first. It found some fit and finish issues with the completed computer, and criticized MicroAce for being unresponsive to questions. The review stated that "if you recognize the limitations of the machine and don't expect too much, then I think you can buy the MicroAce kit with confidence", albeit strongly recommending the 2K RAM option.[8]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Ahl, David (March 1981). "An Interview with Alfred Milgram". Sync Magazine. 1 (2): 6–7.
2. ^ "MicroAce Microace". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
3. ^ "MicroAce". Old Computer Museum. 2014. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
4. ^ "A Microcomputer for everyone at a Micro Price". BYTE. November 1980. p. 359. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
5. ^ O’Dell, Jerry W. (1981-09-01). "The MicroAce: An inexpensive computer controller". Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation. 13 (5): 682–685\. doi:10.3758/BF03202087. ISSN 1554-3528. S2CID 58094419.
6. ^ Curran, Dave. "Microace repair". Retrieved 2023-01-23.
7. ^ "The MicroAce Microcomputer". Early Computers Project. 2023. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
8. ^ a b Searls, Delmar (April 1981). "The MicroAce Computer". BYTE. pp. 46–64. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
9. ^ "MicroAce". Timex/Sinclair - The Authoritative Website for Timex/Sinclair Computers. Retrieved 2022-12-19.

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Sinclair computers, derivatives, and clones

Sinclair Research /
Science of Cambridge

* MK14
* ZX80
* ZX81
* ZX Spectrum (ZX Spectrum+, ZX Spectrum 128)
* QL

Amstrad|

* ZX Spectrum +2
* ZX Spectrum +3

Licenced systems|

* ZX Spectrum Vega
* ZX Spectrum Vega+

Timex Corporation|

* T/S 1000
* T/S 1500
* T/S 2068 (TC 2068)
* TC 2048
* TC 3256

Cambridge Computer|

* Z88

Lists of clones

* ZX80/81 clones
* ZX Spectrum clones
* QL clones

Compatible or
related systems

* ZX80 based: MicroAce, TK80, TK82, NE-Z80
* ZX81 based: Apply 300, AS-1000, Lambda 8300, CP-200, CZ 1000, CZ 1500, CZ 1000 plus, CZ 1500 plus, NE-Z8000, Ringo R-470, TK82C, TK83, TK85
* ZX Spectrum based: ATM, Pentagon, CZ 2000, CZ Spectrum, CZ Spectrum plus, Didaktik, Dubna 48K, Hobbit,Scorpion ZS-256, Sprinter, Kay 1024, Komputer 2086, TK90X, TK95, Robik, ZX Spectrum Next, ZX Touch
* QL based: CST Thor, One Per Desk, Q40/Q60
* Other: SAM Coupé, Jupiter Ace

Sinclair Research peripherals|

* ZX Printer
* ZX Interface 1
* ZX Interface 2
* ZX Microdrive

Timex peripherals|

* TS2040 Printer
* TS2050 Modem
* FDD Disk Drive
* FDD3000 Disk Drive

Other peripherals|

* Beta Disk Interface
* DISCiPLE
* MB02
* Rotronics Wafadrive
* Multiface
* Kempston
* Currah
* SpecDrum
* RAM Music Machine
* Stack Light Rifle
* Magnum Light Phaser

People|

* Clive Sinclair
* John Pemberton
* Rick Dickinson
* Richard Altwasser
* Steve Vickers

Authority control databases: National |

* United States
* Israel

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