In 1986 the humble Spectrum was back! This time in the form of the Spectrum + 128k! But it wasn't just the memory which had been improved over the original + model. As well as a whole 128k of RAM to store your games in, you also had a new sound chip - the AY-3-8912, exactly the same as in the Amstrad CPC range. At last the Spectrum had moved away from the simple BEEP and could feature three proper channels of sound through the tv speaker which didn't slow the processor down.

Another great feature is the addition of a menu system in the Operating System. You can now choose options like Tape Loader, Calculator, 128 BASIC (a special version of BASIC with new commands and single-type entry) and 48 BASIC, which came in really handy to give compatibility to all those older 48k games which couldn't run on the new 128 (and there were a lot!)

The 128 also had RS232/MIDI ports, and an RGB port which, for the first time, you could connect an RGB monitor to - no more straining over those lines of code).

Accessories were made especially for this model too, such as Music Organs and keypads. The machine originally came out in Spain, then followed in the UK. It's our favourite machine in the Sinclair range - it still looks cool today!

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU Zilog Z80A
SPEED 3.5469 Mhz
RAM 128k
ROM 32k (Contains operating systems and BASIC)
SOUND 3 channels, 7 octaves
GRAPHICS 256 x 192 resolution
COLOURS 8 (16 using differing levels of brightness)
DIMENSIONS 320 x 150 x 45 mm
WEIGHT 600g
I/O PORTS Expansion port at rear, RF video out, ear/mic, RS232/MIDI, RGB, keypad
PSU External, 9v DC, 1.4A
PRICE £180