Recently I decided I should have a Sinclair Spectrum Plus to go with my other Sinclair computers, the ZX81, Spectrum 48K, Spectrum Plus 2, and Spectrum Plus 3. So I bought one
Much the same as the previous Spectrum 48K, just in a bigger case with a "better" keyboard
It does look pretty cool still, not as cool as the original, but still cool. The keyboard has more keys than the rubber keyed original, and there are retractable stands to hold the computer at a more comfortable angle for typing
The rear of the computer has the same ports as the original, because it uses the same board
There is now a reset button on the left side, a welcome addition
Nothing on the right side though
I'm pleased to report this Speccy is working 100%
My usual BASIC test runs like expected
This Speccy came with a Powerplay joystick interface, it appears to be a Kempston interface. I like the BASIC listing to read the joystick. Not sure what a Spectrum 2X is though
It lies flat against the surface like the Sinclair Interface 2, so you do need room behind the computer, but as the computer is tiny, that's not so much a problem
A cassette lead, not sure if it's original
The Sinclair PSU, UK1400
Model label for the PSU
I got another Cheetah 125+ as well
Plus another copy of Scrabble and Make A Chip, I also got a Sankyo ST-60 cassette recorder which has its own page
Hardware update
Spotted a box full of Sinclair Spectrum items at a car boot sale in Cornwall, the seller wanted far too much for them, so I left it a while (and found a box full of VTech stuff for £2 during the wait), then went back and offered a more sensible amount which they accepted)
It's not in the best condition and a key stem has been broken
A label has been applied in the past, and then ripped off
Exactly the same as every other Sinclair Spectrum +
Standard UK 1400 PSU which is tatty, this computer has had a hard life
Looks like an original cassette lead
Triumph CR-1620 Cassette Recorder
This shoebox cassette recorder was included with the bundle
A Currys own brand, these were considered low quality but were perfect for computers of the era
It has the normal connections you would expect plus a DIN socket which computers like the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron used, and it has it's own PSU inside only requiring a normal figure of eight style power lead
No leakage in the battery compartment which is nice
Software
This is all the software that came with the bundle, nothing special here I can see, However I didn't get the cassette that matches the Fab 4 inlay. See if you can spot the intruder here I didn't notice at the time
More details can be found on the Sinclair Spectrum Software page
The third Spectrum Plus
This is my third Sinclair ZX Spectrum Plus, and it is almost complete in box. It was a donation to the museum
It was included in this local donation
The box is a bit squashed but ok
Around the sides of the box
This repair receipt was in the box as well, from John Lewis in Milton Keynes. A previous owner had paid £35.50 on the 24th July 1988 to have a new keyboard unit and the ULA chip replaced
I only have one of the polys
The Spectrum itself, when I took it out of the box one of the keys had fallen off, the T key to be precise, but it did click back on just fine
The rear of the Spectrum with the power, cassette, and TV sockets
The base of the computer
The flip out legs
The sides with the reset button
The front
User manual
The UK1400 power supply
The plug for the power supply, can you see the issue here?
The second cable from the plug ends up here which would have connected to the cassette recorder, we never did this back in the day at all
The cassette lead and RF cable
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