Timex Computer 2048
The Spectrum compatible made in Portugal by Timex.
The Timex Computer 2048, made in Portugal by Timex from 1984, is a Spectrum 48K compatible with its own case, a built-in Kempston joystick port and extra video modes. It sold mainly in Portugal and Poland.
Made in Portugal
When Timex left the American market, its factory in Portugal stayed open and developed its own machines for Europe. The TC2048 was the most popular: compatible with the Spectrum 48K, with a plastic-key keyboard and the Timex logo.
It sold mainly in Portugal and Poland, which is why many Portuguese people learnt to program on a TC2048 rather than on a Sinclair Spectrum.
Inside
It has a Z80A at 3.5 MHz and 48 KB of RAM, with the Timex SCLD chip in place of the ULA. As well as the Spectrum modes, it has extra video modes: 512 × 192 pixels in two colours, and colour attributes (ink and paper) in 8 × 1 pixel cells instead of 8 × 8 blocks, which greatly reduces attribute clash.
It comes as standard with a Kempston-compatible joystick port and composite video output, as well as the RF output. Compatibility with Spectrum 48K software is very high.
Trivia
- 10 REM
With the built-in Kempston port, an Atari-plug joystick connects directly, with no interface.
- 20 REM
The 512 × 192 mode allows 64 columns of text, useful for word processors.
- 30 REM
The composite video output gives a much cleaner picture than the RF one, and it is still the best way to connect it today.
Try it
On the 48K each key types a whole word: press P and PRINT appears. Quotes are Ctrl + P. Try PRINT "HELLO" and ENTER.
This machine runs here as a Spectrum 48K, which it is compatible with.
Emulation by JSSpeccy 3 (GPL-3.0). The Spectrum ROM belongs to Amstrad, which allows it to be distributed with emulators.
© 1982 Sinclair Research Ltd
The family: Timex
Compared with the other models
| Model | Year | Processor | Memory | Video | Sound | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timex Sinclair 1000 | 1982 | Z80A · 3,25 MHz | 2 KB | ULA · 32 × 24 mono | — | 8K BASIC |
| Timex TS2068 / TC2068 | 1983 | Z80A · 3,5 MHz | 48 KB | SCLD · 512 × 192 | AY-3-8912 · 3 ch | Timex BASIC |
| ▶ Timex Computer 2048 | 1984 | Z80A · 3,5 MHz | 48 KB | SCLD · 512 × 192 | Beeper 1 bit | 48 BASIC |
Let me know when one arrives: Timex Computer 2048
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