Timex Computer 2048

Updated on Oct 05, 2024

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Type Home computer Operating system Sinclair BASIC Memory 48 KB		Discontinued 1989 (1989) CPU Zilog Z80A @ 3.5 MHz

Release date 1984; 33 years ago (1984)

The TC 2048 or Timex Computer 2048 is a computer created by "Timex of Portugal, Lda", a branch of Timex Corporation.

It was highly compatible with the Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer, although differences in the ROM prevented 100% compatibility.

Timex Portugal sold the TC 2048 in Portugal and Poland, where it was very successful. Also, a NTSC version was sold in Chile. This computer forms the basis of an improved Spectrum-compatible machine, the Spectrum SE.

Technical specifications

CPU

Zilog Z80A @ 3.50 MHz

ROM

16 KB

RAM

48 KB

Display

Improved ULA offering additional screen modes:

Text: 32×24 characters (8×8 pixels, rendered in graphics mode)

Graphics: 256×192 pixels, 15 colours (two simultaneous colours - "attributes" - per 8×8 pixels, causing attribute clash)

Extended Color: 256×192 pixels, 15 colors with colour resolution of 32×192 (two simultaneous colours - "attributes" - per 1×8 pixels)

Dual Screen: (two 256×192 pixels screens can be placed in memory)

A monochrome 512×192 mode

Sound

Beeper (1 channel, 10 octaves and 10+ semitones via internal speaker)

[By separate purchase the Joystick/Sound Unit was available to enhance sound and provide a joystick port.]

I/O

Z80 bus in/out

Tape audio in/out for external cassette tape storage

RF television out

Composite video monitor out

Kempston Joystick input

Storage

External cassette tape recorder

1–8 external ZX Microdrives (using ZX Interface 1)

Timex FDD (Floppy Disk Drive System Power Supply, Controller and Disk Drive in separate cases. 16K RAM, Timex Operating System (TOS))

Timex FDD3000 (Enhanced version (all in one case) of the Timex FDD but upgraded to 64K RAM & TOS with two Hitachi 3″ disk drives)

References

Timex Computer 2048 Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA