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yann64andClaude Opus 5.5 b274874139 All machines linked to their forum thread (full comment import) 
1,289 discussions, 9,527 archived comments; pages no longer carry the comments themselves.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
2026-10-13 17:26:43 +02:00

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---
title: Sinclair QL (Quantum Leap)
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- United Kingdom
years:
- '1984'
cpus:
- Motorola MC 68008
params:
name: QL (Quantum Leap)
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_side_3.jpg
company: /companies/sinclair
company_name: Sinclair
specs:
- label: NAME
value: QL (Quantum Leap)
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Sinclair
- label: TYPE
value: Home Computer
- label: ORIGIN
value: United Kingdom
- label: YEAR
value: '1984'
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: Sinclair Super Basic
- label: KEYBOARD
value: |-
QWERTY / AZERTY pseudo full-stroke keyboard\
5 function keys
- label: CPU
value: Motorola MC 68008
- label: SPEED
value: 7.5 MHz
- label: CO-PROCESSOR
value: |-
Intel 8049 IPC (RS232, speaker, joysticks, keyboard)\
Sinclair ZX8301 (Peripheral Control)\
Sinclair ZX8302 (Peripheral Chip)
- label: RAM
value: |-
128 kb (up to 728 kb without additional CPU)\
85 kb free under Super Basic
- label: VRAM
value: 32 kb
- label: ROM
value: 48 kb (up to 64 kb)
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 40 x 25, 64 x 25, 85 x 25
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: |-
256 x 256 (8 colors)\
512 x 256 (4 colors)
- label: COLORS
value: 256 color effects
- label: SOUND
value: Beeper
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: 47,2 x 13,8 x 4,6 cm / 1,4 kg
- label: I/O PORTS
value: |-
2 x Serial sockets (RS232)\
2 x Sinclair Network sockets\
2 x Controllers sockets\
ROM connector\
Expansion bus\
External microdrives bus\
RGB video output\
RF video output
- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
value: 2 x microdrives (100 kb each)
- label: OS
value: QDOS
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: External PSU
- label: PRICE
value: 399£ (UK, february 1984)
tabs:
- photos
- adverts
- hardware
- software
- emulators
- links
forum_thread: 209
photos:
- title: FRONT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_front_1.jpg
- title: SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_front_2.jpg
- title: SIDE 2
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_side_1.jpg
- title: SIDE 3
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_side_2.jpg
- title: IN BOX
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_styro.jpg
- title: BOX
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_box_1.jpg
- title: MICRODRIVES CLOSEUP
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_microdrives.jpg
- title: MICRODRIVES OPENED
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_microdrives_opened.jpg
- title: MICRODRIVE TAPES
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_microdrives_2.jpg
- title: BLANK MICRODRIVES TAPES
subtitle: ''
text: This little box with 4 blank microdrive tapes was delivered with the Sinclair QL
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_microdrive_coffret.jpg
- title: REAR
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_rear_1.jpg
- title: REAR
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_rear_2.jpg
- title: MOTHERBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_mobo_2.jpg
- title: MOTHERBOARD EXPLAINED
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is one of the very first pictures of the inside of a QL. The motherboard, still in beta-version, will undergo several modifications during the difficult birth of the QL and also during the QL's life.
**(1)** Expansion connector for external peripherals and internal 512 Kb. RAM extension.\
**(2)** Connector for 32 Kb. ROM software cartridges.\
**(3)** Two 9-pin joystick connectors.\
**(4)** Two 9-pin serial RS-232 connectors.\
**(5)** TV aerial RF modulator. Through this video output, only 60 char. per line are allowed.\
**(6)** RGB video output connector. 85 char. per line allowed.\
**(7)** Sinclair local network connector. Up to 64 QLs or Spectrums can be connected together.\
**(8)** Up to six additional microdrives can be connected here.\
**(9)** Integrated microdrives.\
**(10)** Intel 8049 microprocessor in charge of keyboard, sound and serial port management.\
**(11)** Two chipsets specially designed for the QL (ZX-8301/02), in charge of video display and various Inputs/Outputs.\
**(12)** Motorola 68008 microprocessor. A 16-bit processing unit, but only an 8-bit data bus.
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_inside_1.jpg
- title: KEYBOARD EXPLAINED
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The QL keyboard is made of two semi-flexible plastic sheets with a wire network connecting each key. Under each key, the 2 sheets are separated by a ''bubble'' which keeps the wires from each sheet separated. When the key is pressed, the bubble is flattened and makes a contact between two wires. This bubble is also used to ensure the normal position of the key. This process makes it possible for the QL to offer a keyboard touch practically identical to a mechanical keyboard while keeping a very low profile.
**(1)** Superior key caps.\
**(2)** Vertical guide of the key.\
**(3)** Bubble which keeps the key raised and breaks the contact between two wires.\
**(4)** Two superimposed plastic sheets.\
**(5)** Wires connecting each key of the keyboard.
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_keyboard_1.jpg
- title: MECHANICAL KEYBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This model is not a new mysterious version of the QL, but only a mechanical keyboard addon sold to replace the original and fragile keyboard. As it was very expensive, only a few QLs have been upgraded like this.
The funcion keys are red, the letters keys (A - Z) are dark brown and the rest of the keys are black.
Thanks to [oldcomput.8k.com](http://oldcomput.8k.com) for this picture.
image: /media/museum/photos/sinclair_ql_mechanical-keyboard_1.jpg
adverts:
- title: QL MONITOR AD.
subtitle: ''
text: It was actually a rebadged Taxan monitor
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_pub_1.jpg
- title: FRENCH ADVERT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_sicob_pub.jpg
- title: 'QL CATALOGUE #1'
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to [fuzzbucket](http://blogs.linux.ie/fuzzbucket/archives/p/7/more/1/c/1/Vintage-Sinclair-QL-catalogue) for this complete QL catalogue.
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_brochure1_s1.jpg
- title: 'QL CATALOGUE #2'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_brochure1_s2.jpg
- title: 'QL CATALOGUE #3'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_brochure1_s3.jpg
- title: 'QL CATALOGUE #4'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_brochure1_s4.jpg
- title: 'QL CATALOGUE #5'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_brochure1_s5.jpg
- title: 'QL CATALOGUE #6'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_brochure1_s6.jpg
- title: 'QL CATALOGUE #7'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_brochure1_s7.jpg
- title: 'QL CATALOGUE #8'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/sinclair_ql_brochure1_s8.jpg
hardware:
- title: TRUMP CARD
subtitle: from Miracle Systems
text: This famous card allows to add a floppy disk controller to the standard QL and to add Tony Tebby's QJUMP Toolkit II commands to the standard QL's somewhat limited internal QDOS commands.
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_ql_trump-card_1.jpg
- title: 512K EXPANDERAM
subtitle: from Miracle Systems
text: This card adds 512k RAM to the QL.
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_ql_miracle-512kcard_1.jpg
- title: SINCLAIR 512K RAM EXPANSION
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_ql_512k_ram_expansion.jpg
- title: JASMIN DISK-DRIVE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is the Jasmin disk-drive for the QL. It is the same as the Oric Jasmin II.
3'' floppies, double head, 80 tracks, 800kb formated.
This thing cost 3500fr in 1985.
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_ql_disk_1.jpg
- title: DOUBLE 5''1/4 DISK-DRIVES
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/sinclair_ql_diskdrive_2.jpg
screenshots:
- title: MONOPOLY
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_ss_monopoly.jpg
- title: LANDS OF HAVOC
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_lands_of_havoc_ss.jpg
- title: PIRATE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_pirate_ss.gif
- title: QL CHESS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_chess_ss.gif
- title: PHARAO ?
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_pharao_ss.jpg
- title: VROOM
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_vroom_ss.jpg
- title: TENNIS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_ss_tennis.jpg
- title: SPOOK
subtitle: Pac-man clone
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_spook_ss.gif
- title: THE LOST KINGDOM OF SKUL
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_skul_ss.gif
- title: SLIME
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_slime_ss.jpg
- title: ICE
subtitle: Graphical User Interface (GUI)
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/sinclair_ql_ice_ss.jpg
emulators:
- title: Q-Emulator for Windows 95
url: http://users.infoconex.com/DANIELE/WINQL.HTML
platform: Windows
text: QL emulator for Windows
- title: QLAY - SINCLAIR QL EMULATOR for Windows95, DOS
url: http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/A.Jaw.Venema/
platform: Windows
text: (Available for Linux)
- title: QPC
url: http://www.kilgus.net/qpc/
platform: Windows
text: Featureful QL emulator by Marcel Kilgus
- title: QEmulator
url: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/1296/q-emulator.html
platform: Apple
text: ''
- title: UQLX Homepage
url: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/2602/uqlx_main.html
platform: Unix / Linux
text: ''
- title: QLem
url: http://rand.thn.htu.se/~johan/qlem.html
platform: Atari
text: The QL Emulator for Atari ST/TT/Falcon
- title: Sinclair Emulation Homepage
url: http://users.aol.com/autismuk/sinclair.htm
platform: Other platform
text: ''
links:
- title: Club QL International
url: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Vista/4807/
text: Newsletter
- title: Dilwyn Jones' Sinclair QL Home Page
url: http://www.soft.net.uk/dj/index.html
text: Impressive content. You'll find what you are seeking here !
- title: Petas Sinclair QL support page
url: http://www.sinclairql.de/
text: ''
- title: Planet Sinclair
url: http://www.nvg.unit.no/sinclair/planet/index.html
text: ''
- title: QL FAQ
url: http://www.uni-mainz.de/~roklein/ql/
text: ''
- title: QL Users Mailing List
url: http://www.soft.net.uk/dj/emaillst/maillist.html
text: So you want to exchange mails with QL fans around the world ?!
- title: QL Webring
url: http://t.webring.com/hub?list&ring=the_quantum
text: Official webring
- title: Sinclair QL Spanish Resources
url: http://sinclairql.es
text: Sinclair QL and compatible Spanish Resources
- title: Speccyalista
url: http://www.sinclair.hu/
text: Hungarian Sinclair page
- title: TF Services
url: http://www.firshman.co.uk
text: Tony Firshman's Home Page - Sinclair QL support
- title: Thierry Godegroy's Home Page
url: http://www.imaginet.fr/~godefroy/english
text: All you need to know about the Sinclair QL is here !
- title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
text: Sinclair computers
oc_id: 199
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230609174746/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=199
date: '2023-06-09'
---
The Sinclair QL was the first attempt for Clive Sinclair to produce a computer for business. But after the success of the [ZX-81](/museum/sinclair-zx-81/) and [ZX Spectrum](/museum/sinclair-zx-spectrum-128/), the QL can also be regarded as the first failure of Sinclair. In January 1984, Clive Sinclair presents the QL to the press, unveiling a very promising and inventive machine, based on the 68008 processor from Motorola. Indeed it was the first home computer based on a 32 bits CPU, just a few days before the [Apple Macintosh](/museum/apple-macintosh/). It was important for Clive Sinclair to unveil the QL before the Macintosh, but that was also one of the main reasons for the QL's failure...
The British ICL company conceived a desktop information system based on the QL mainboard. It was sold in the U.K. under the names [One Per Desk](/museum/icl-opd-one-per-desk/) and [Merlin Tonto](/museum/merlin-tonto/). The same model was also sold in Australia, with the name **Telecom Computerphone**.
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