Timex Computer 2048


The Timex Computer 2048 or TC 2048 is a 1984 computer developed by Timex Portugal, at the time part of Timex Sinclair.
It was based on the Timex Sinclair 2048 prototype, with a similar redesign case, composite video output, Kempston joystick interface, and additional video modes, while being highly compatible with the Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer.
After connecting an external disk drive, Timex FDD3000, the computer could work under TOS - Timex Operating System or CP/M.
As Timex Portugal sold the Timex Sinclair models in Portugal and Poland under the Timex Computer brand, this computer is named "Timex Computer 2048", even though the "Timex Sinclair 2048" was never produced.

Timex Sinclair 2048 (prototype)

The Timex Sinclair 2048 was not released by Timex Sinclair because of the failure of the T/S 1500. According to an early Timex Sinclair 2000 computer flyer, it would be a cut-down Timex Sinclair 2068 with 16 KB of RAM. It had an added Kempston-compatible joystick interface and a monochrome high resolution mode for 80 column text.

History

In contrast with the ZX Spectrum, which was the best-selling computer in Britain at the time, the T/S 2068 and T/S 1500 were considered failures. Timex Corporation withdrew from the U.S. home computer market in February 1984.
Timex Portugal continued to manufacture and sell the TC 2048 in Portugal and Poland, where it was very successful, selling more than 10000 units.
Also, a NTSC version was sold in Chile.
TC 2048 started to be sold in Poland in 1986, with 5000 units available at the "Central Scouting Store" for a price of PLZ 106,000. It was the equivalent of 4 average salaries, and slightly higher than a ZX Spectrum.
Peripherals where also made available at the time of release:
DescriptionPrice PLZQuantity
TIMEX 3″ diskdrive250 0001 500
TIMEX 50 Printer96 000700
TIMEX 1000 Printer280 000500
TIMEX 2020 cassette tape recorder30 0002000
"Quickshot" Joystick8 5003 500
3″ floppy disc3 00015 000

Production of the computer ended in 1989.

Further developments

This computer forms the basis of a proposal for an improved Spectrum-compatible machine, the ZX Spectrum SE. Based on the Timex TC 2048 and the ZX Spectrum 128, with Timex graphic modes and 280K RAM, it was proposed by Andrew Owen and Jarek Adamski in 2000. A prototype was created and this configuration is supported by different emulators.
Two modifications of the TC 2048 exist: the TC 2128 and the TC 2144.
Both extend the RAM to 128K and upgrade the ULA to use four screen areas.

Technical specifications

CPU
  • Zilog Z80A @ 3.50 MHz
ROM
  • 16 KB
RAM
  • 48 KB
Display
  • Timex SCLD chip instead of the Spectrum's ULA, offering additional Extended Color, Dual Screen and High Resolution screen modes:
  • * Text: 32×24 characters
  • * Graphics: 256×192 pixels, 15 colours
  • * Extended Color: 256×192 pixels, 15 colors with colour resolution of 32×192
  • * Dual Screen:
  • * High Resolution: 512×192 mode with 2 colours.
Sound
  • Beeper
I/O
  • Z80 bus in/out
  • Line 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
  • Timex FDD
  • Timex FDD3000