Timex Sinclair 2068

The Timex Sinclair 2068 was a substantially enhanced North American interpretation of the ZX Spectrum. It combined 48KB RAM with a 24KB bank-switched ROM, improved colour and high-resolution display modes, an AY sound chip, twin joystick ports and a cartridge slot.

The changes made it more capable on paper but reduced direct compatibility with Spectrum machine-code software. Released shortly before Timex withdrew from the American home-computer market, it had only a brief domestic sales life despite its competitive price and specifications.

Notable Features

• Timex SCLD video logic added extended-colour and 512 x 192 monochrome modes.
• AY-3-8912 supplied three-channel sound in addition to the Spectrum-style beeper.
• Bank-switched cartridge port could replace or extend the built-in ROM.

Historical Significance

• Timex's final home computer for the United States and its most technically ambitious production model.
• The design continued in Portugal after the American computer operation closed.

Collector’s Notes

• Original ROM changes prevent many unmodified Spectrum machine-code programs from running.
• Spectrum-emulator cartridges and replacement ROMs improve compatibility but alter the original configuration.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Timex Sinclair 2068
Manufacturer	Timex
Launched	Tuesday, November 1, 1983
Launch Price	$199.95
Country	United States
CPU	Zilog Z80A at 3.5 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Extended Sinclair BASIC
I/O	RF, composite video, cassette, two joystick, cartridge and rear expansion ports
Keyboard	Integrated 42-key hard-key keyboard
Storage	External cassette recorder and ROM cartridge
Sound	AY-3-8912 three-channel sound plus beeper
Graphics	256 x 192 standard and extended colour; 512 x 192 monochrome
Display	32 x 24 text; 64-column high-resolution text possible
ROM	24KB extended Sinclair BASIC and system ROM
RAM	48KB RAM
CPU Speed	3.5 MHz