Just received a Timex Sinclair 1500...

[Paul Panks]

Now what can I do with it? And how compatible is it with the regular ZX-81?

Paul

[BrunoFlorindo]

As far as I know, the TS1500 works like a ZX81 with 16K of ram but the 16K are internal and the keyboard is better. If you have a TS1016 ram add-on you can upgrade the ram to 32K, but I don't know of any software that takes advantage of this.

The TS1500 is, in my honest opinion, better than the ZX81/TS1000, but it's like people say 'Too little, too late'. The TS1000 had a lot more followers than the TS1500. The TS2068 had a little more success, but only because it was very similar to the European ZX Spectrum. I mention the TS2068 only as a comparison, but I should note that it's not similar to the ZX81. It's an entirely different computer.

[siggi]

AFAIK the internal 16K ram is a dynamic ram and there is no solution found (yet) how to enable HRG on the internal ram

Siggi

[yerzmyey]

Well, what can I say? CONGRATULATIONS.
Like the guys said, TS1500 is simply ZX81 with 16Kb of RAM on-board.
At last You will have regular keyboard, hehe.

Hi-Res-Graphic matters are not very well-known to me, so You would have to ask Siggy for details.
I have 16Kb too and I noticed that a HRG game (only 1 tested for now) doesn't work correctly on my ZX81 (n)either, which means it doesn't show HRG (however it works). Maybe the same phenomenon will be on Your computer.

[sirmorris]

Rampacks need a small modification to correctly display HRG.

It is detailed on Math123's site.

C

[gus]

Hi Paul,
Well in my opinion now you own the best ZX81 compatible computer, so you can just enjoy it
The keyboard is good, you do not have the problems with the MOVING 1016 Module, and of course the external design is very cool
Gus

[Paul Panks]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll hook up the computer in a little while and play with it a bit. Should be fun.

Paul