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 alt=The Sinclair QL Home Computer was released by Sinclair Research Limited in 1984 - the successor to the earlier Sinclair computers, the ZX80, ZX81 and ZX Spectrum.  The QL was the first Sinclair computer to break away from the 8 bit Z80 processor and to use the new Motorola 32 bit 68000 series processor.  Alas, its speed was hindered by the fact that it only had a 16 bit bus, although the 68000 soon became a favourite processor for many computer users.

The QL was launched as a business machine, complete with two built in microdrives, 128K, full sized keyboard and 4 Psion business programs (Quill - Wordprocessor, Archive - Database program, Easel - Business Graphics and Charts, Abacus - Spreadsheet) and a powerful SuperBASIC. The display is 32K in size and supports two standard modes - 4 colours in 512x256 pixels, or 8 colours in 256x256 pixels (each individual pixel in the 8 colour mode can also have a flash attribute).

Alas the early QLs suffered from unreliable v1 Psion software, unreliable microdrives and a third of the ROM being present on a "dongle" in the back of the QL. This lead to quite a lot of bad press unfortunately.  This was an interesting ploy by Sinclair - they wanted to beat the Apple Macintosh to market, so decided to launch a machine which had numerous hardware problems, but by adding the dongle, they were able to claim that the problems were related to the QDOS operating system.

However, an updated version of the QL (issue 5 motherboard) and Psion software was soon released, and the QL has remained popular amongst a hardcore of users, with 2 replacement operating systems (Smsq/e and Minerva), numerous emulators and even 16 bit colour drivers.  Improved versions of the Sinclair QL were also released by ICL and BT as the One Per Desk and Merlin Tonto (respectively) or the Computerphone in Australia.  These computers shared much of the hardware, but had their own operating systems and software, designed to be used with a built in telephone and modem.

A wide range of business and games software has been released over the years, and the QL is still actively supported by traders, a user group (Quanta) and a magazine (QL Today).

More details about the Sinclair QL and an overview of software appears on the Sinclair QL Wiki

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Sinclair QL Software: QL-Mega- Toolbox published by Compware Sinclair QL Software: QL-Mega- Toolbox published by Compware   £15.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software: Turbo Toolkit published by Digital Precision Sinclair QL Software: Turbo Toolkit published by Digital Precision   £10.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software: Graphic Toolkit published by Pyramide Sinclair QL Software: Graphic Toolkit published by Pyramide   £15.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software: Inkwell Deluxe published by Palantir Products Sinclair QL Software: Inkwell Deluxe published by Palantir Products   £15.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Graphic Adventure: Mortville Manor Sinclair QL Graphic Adventure: Mortville Manor   £10.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Arcade Game: Blast Buggy Sinclair QL Arcade Game: Blast Buggy   £10.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Box-Set - QL Games 5 Sinclair QL Box-Set - QL Games 5   £16.67 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software: QL- Superforth with Super-Reversi by Digital Precision Sinclair QL Software: QL- Superforth with Super-Reversi by Digital Precision   £25.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software:  QL To PC by Transform Ltd Sinclair QL Software: QL To PC by Transform Ltd   £15.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software:  QL Stock Control by Transform Ltd Sinclair QL Software: QL Stock Control by Transform Ltd   £15.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software: TechniQL Computer Aided Design by Talent Sinclair QL Software: TechniQL Computer Aided Design by Talent   £5.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software: Monitor by Computer One Sinclair QL Software: Monitor by Computer One   £5.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software: Write Turn by Sector Software Sinclair QL Software: Write Turn by Sector Software   £10.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Manual: Cueshell For the Sinclair QL by Albin Hessler Software Sinclair QL Manual: Cueshell For the Sinclair QL by Albin Hessler Software   £5.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Manual: QD Version 8 For the Sinclair QL by Jochen Merz Software Sinclair QL Manual: QD Version 8 For the Sinclair QL by Jochen Merz Software   £5.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Manual: Super QBoard For the Sinclair QL by Sandy Sinclair QL Manual: Super QBoard For the Sinclair QL by Sandy   £5.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Manual: QL Quick Posters User's Guide For the Sinclair QL by Dilwyn Jones Computing Sinclair QL Manual: QL Quick Posters User's Guide For the Sinclair QL by Dilwyn Jones Computing   £5.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Manual: QL Basic Reporter For the Sinclair QL by Dilwyn Jones Computing Sinclair QL Manual: QL Basic Reporter For the Sinclair QL by Dilwyn Jones Computing   £5.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Software:  Cadpak  by Data Link Systems Sinclair QL Software: Cadpak by Data Link Systems   £15.00 Buy now!
Sinclair QL Manual: Thing & Eprom Manager For the Sinclair QL by Jochen Merz Software Sinclair QL Manual: Thing & Eprom Manager For the Sinclair QL by Jochen Merz Software   £5.00 Buy now!
Webstores in this Category
Name Description Listings in category
RWAP Software - Retro computer specialists
RWAP Software - Retro computer specialists

Although our roots are firmly based with the Sinclair QL, we supply a wide range of second hand and original software and hardware, for both the QL, ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64.

Over the past few years, we have been instrumental in getting the DivIDE Plus compact flash interface for the ZX Spectrum built, along with replacement ZX81 Keyboard Membranes, 48K ZX Spectrum keyboard membranes and ZX Spectrum faceplates.

Visit our website - http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk for more details on what we offer.

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DataServe Retro
DataServe Retro

DataServe Retro

Preserving the 8-Bit Micro since 2006

Visit our website - https://www.dataserve-retro.co.uk for the full range products

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The QL Forum
The QL Forum

A home for all Sinclair QL users old & new, to discuss anything related to the QL. Serving the QL Community since 2010!

Discussion boards & Online Chat via IRC.

http://www.qlforum.co.uk

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