8 Bit Computers

Thinker Joined: Nov 12, 2006 Posts: 423

I was wondering about how many on here whose first computer was an 8-bit computer and if so what it was.

My first computer was a Sinclair ZX81 . I had lots of fun with that computer...

Just Arrived Joined: Oct 01, 2006 Posts: 3

10 PRINT "ZX80"
...

*Power supply overheats and system dies*

Thinker Joined: Nov 12, 2006 Posts: 423

Matalanifesto wrote:

10 PRINT "ZX80"
...

*Power supply overheats and system dies*

I guess they fixed that problem with them by the time they went to the 81. Smile

The pain with mine was the cassette record data for data storage. You had to have the volume set just right and sometimes you even had to place it on its side to work. And of course it was SSLLOOWWW......

Mine went for CAN$200 and it came in the kit form from England. The power adapter was an extra CAN$20. A couple years latter, when the "keyboard" wore out, I got a Timex/Sinclair 1000 for $70. I had gotten two 16k memory modules (NOT the one from Sinclair, but from Memotek) for the ZX81, and a raised "keyboard" pad. Luckily they all worked with the Timex.

Just Arrived Joined: Mar 22, 2007 Posts: 2

I still have my working C64 you'd be amazed at the stuff people have out for it now for example http://www.armory.com/~spectre/cwi/hl/

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:51 pm

My first computer was a 386-20Mhz with a 60 meg hard drive and 4 meg of ram. If I remember right, the video card had 128k ram.

It cost something like 5 thousand dollars and I purchased it in 1990.

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:49 pm

I used TRS-80s in middle school.
I had a Coleco Adam.
I then had a C64.
After that an Amiga 500.
Then an Amiga 1200.
Than a PC with a 100 mhz pentium.
I upgraded that chip to a 120mhz pulled from a friend's system.
Then I got a 266mhz mmx chip and put that in.
Then I built my own first pc with a 700mhz PIII.
Then I build serveral AMD machines.

My current machine is an HP I got from Walmart then I replaced a lot of the parts with upgrades.

I'm using Vista. Can't say I love it but I don't hate it as much as many people seem to.

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:45 pm

My first was a Franklin Ace (Apple II clone/compatable) and it still works. It's in my closet still plugged in

Then I got a C64 (fun little machine) that still works.

Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:47 pm

MockingGods wrote:

My first computer was a 386-20Mhz with a 60 meg hard drive and 4 meg of ram. If I remember right, the video card had 128k ram.

It cost something like 5 thousand dollars and I purchased it in 1990.

Sounds like my first PC, except it had a 40 MB HDD. People were telling me "You'll never fill up a 40 MB Hard Drive!!!"

Just Arrived Joined: Oct 22, 2009 Posts: 3

Hello Sjc,
Myself macki from U.S. I have also 8 bits computer with 10 print zx80. it is running very good condition
but now i am not using that computer.it is just a side puting. good to talk with u.

Thanks..

Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:16 pm

1981 - TRS-80 model I - 16K ram, cassette storage. Z80 based.
later added Expansion interface with additional 32K ram
Around 84 or 85 I bought a floppy drive for it.
Later bought TRS-80 model III - 1986 or 87.
1991 386-33 DX. 4MB ram, 150MB hard drive
... etc

Resident Joined: Apr 13, 2009 Posts: 314 Location: Canada

Mine was also a TRS-80. This one was a model II.
I used the cassette drive for a lot of storage and switched to the 5.25" floppy after a bit. I swear they delivered the external floppy drive by crane. I also remember keeping the cassette drive on its side, though I'm not sure it was necessary. The cassette drive was just an old dictaphone thing that my mother had. Things weren't fancy, back then.

I read the BASIC manual from cover to cover, and it provided a great basis for learning later languages (like TurboPascal!!!!)
The BASIC language also provided a fantastic model for logic and linguistics. I was eight or ten years old – I'm wondering where kids get that kind of education today?

I made really elementary games, with wretched, primitive graphics. It was rad.

Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:31 pm

Yep, TRS-80 color computer (he says, with Kraftwerk looping in his mind as a backing track) cassette storage... took over the TV for days... [cost an effing fortune!] Smile

Confident Learner Joined: Feb 28, 2008 Posts: 66

My first computer was in 97, A 200 MHZ win95 Compaq PC.

My friends owned Commodore's , I remember playing the Sid meiers pirates game.


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