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website/content/museum/sinclair-ql-quantum-leap.md
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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
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
comments:
- author: Yan (Brazil)
date: Thursday 28th November 2019
text: The year was 1984 and I had a TS-2068 equipped with a backyard made ZX-Spectrum cartridge. I remember to browse the personal computers magazines and literally drool over the pages wondering when I would be able to have my own QL, that supposed to be the natural next step for 2068 owners. Unluckily it was the big failure that everybody is aware of and no one of these fantastic computers have arrived in my country that I know. A couple years later I moved from the 2068 to MSX and it was a big meh for me. Quickly I got rid of it and moved to my first PC-XT. Good old times! :)
- author: zozo (france)
date: Thursday 30th October 2014
text: j''en ai eu un dans les 90''s mais rien fait avec manuel en anglais... c''était a mon grand frere.dommage qu''il n''est pas eu plus de couleur et des sprites...
- author: Trevor Harvey (UK)
date: Sunday 21st April 2013
text: My first computer, before I went PC mad. QL had the big breakthrough - after using BBC micros - in its bundled advanced suite of Psion programs called Xchange, plus an advanced BASIC. Tony Tebby was the software engineer - I met him at QL meets, a very enthusiastic man with long hair and glasses who thought in assembly language. The excellent Xchange word processor, database, spreadsheet and business graphics, were let down by the printers of the day, but programming the printer driver taught me loads about ASCII and serial/parallel comms. No USB then! Until the Amstrad WPs came a long, the Xchange Quill WP was many people''s first choice. We somehow got used to the clunky keyboard. I still have my QL, plus its Microvitec monitor. Somehow, I feel affectionate to the old thing.
- author: Clay Bowen (USA)
date: Thursday 18th April 2013
text: This computer was my upgrade from the 2068. I had the extended memory card, a pair of external quad density 5.25" drives. I did a lot of programming on this machine with a QL version of Pascal (ISO, not Borland). I may still have it in the closet... I have to admit, even after all this time, the microdrive was one of the coolest media ever.
- author: Gordon McIntosh (UK)
date: Wednesday 6th April 2011
text: I used a QL all the way through university - the 2 built in microdrives were surprisingly reliable. I also remember playing quite a good adventure game on it called "The legend of Zkul"
- author: Urs Koenig (Switzerland)
date: Monday 19th October 2009
text: |-
2009 is the year of the 25th anniversary of breaking innovations in personal computing. Early 1984 two milestones were unfolded on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Europe was first with the launch of the 32bit multitasking/multiwindowing Sinclair QL. 12 days later America saw the launch of the 32bit GUI/multiwindowing Apple Macintosh. They both entered the field to compete with IBM''s PC.
Even the Sinclair QL failed in the designated market with only about 150000 machines sold, it inspired many experts and influenced today''s products in one way or another. Most prominent example is Linux, where its creator Linus Torvalds was a QL crack back in the 80s and learned the basics about preemptive multitasking on the QL. To know more about all that, please follow the full 25th anniversary story. http://www.tinyurl.com/9ryma3
- author: Francisco Martín (Spain)
date: Saturday 27th September 2008
text: |-
There are new QL versions available today, have changed a lot (into a some format of mix between PC and Spectrum) but if you are a QL fan, you have to visit this link:
http://www.q40.de/q40.dedownload.html
This versions have been called "Q40", "Q60" and "Q80", and have also a nick "The Super QL''s"
Greetings from Spain.
- author: Ian Gillman (UK)
date: Tuesday 8th March 2005
text: I used a Sinclair QL at university in 1994. I needed a cheap computer that I could use to type up my final year project and Dr Buist sold me a QL for £50. The QL he sold me had an external floppy drive that could read and write PC disks. Once I had typed up the project I could transfer it to a PC for formatting and final printing. I even taught myself 68K assembly language so that I could play with the internals of the machine. There was one chip (I think it was the I/O chip) that used nybbles (half of a byte) to communicate.
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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