Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2

This is the first Sinclair ZX Spectrum which was manufactured and designed by Amstrad as a follow-up for the black ZX Spectrum+ 128k. It was the first ZX Spectrum to have the "Amstrad design" with full travel keyboard, ugly CPC-like housing and a built-in tape recorder like the CPCs had. Internally it was still a ZX Spectrum+ 128k with very little change.

The grey +2 is often confused with it's black successor, the +2A and +2B which were internally a +3 but with the disc drive replaced by a tape recorder (again).

As said the case is grey, but images are often hard to judged because they may be underexposed and the case falsely appears black. You can distinguish the the +2 from the later +2A/+2B, which actually were black, by a look at the tape recorder keys: On a +2 the symbols are printed on the key tops, as opposed to the +2A/+2B where the symols are printed on the case above the keys.

Inside

As on the ZX Spectrum+ 128k, two Basic versions were implemented: the original 48k Basic to remain compatible with the original Sinclair Spectrum, mostly for games, and the 128k Basic which was already introduced with the ZX Spectrum+ 128k. There was still a calculator mode in the start-menu but the "Tape tester" option of the +128K had been removed since the tape-recorder was built-in.

The first ROM version developed by Amstrad for the +2 model caused compatibility problems with some existing ZX Spectrum software, so they changed a few things in later ROM versions. (¿does this actually apply to the +2 and not to the +2A/+2B/+3?)

As with the other 128k models, and due to the limitations of the Z80 CPU which can only address 64 kByte, the extra RAM of the +2 was not directly usable (unless with bank-switching), but was used as a RAM disc by the 128k Basic.

The PCB and ROM were still very similar to the +128k. E.g. +2 also used a 9V DC power supply and had no changes to the expansion bus connector. It also had the same sound chip as the +128k.

Localized Versions

Besides the UK English version, there were localized French and Spanish versions. You can distingish images of the Spanish from the English version by a look at the shift keys: Either they are titled "CAPS SHIFT" (two words!) or "MAYUSCULAS" (one word!). ((don't know what the french spelling is))

Technical Data

Name            Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2
Manufacturer    Amstrad, UK 
Year            1986    
Keyboard        Full-stroke keyboard, 58 keys   
                same layout as the ZX Spectrum+ and +128K   
CPU             Zilog Z80A at 3.5469 MHz    
RAM             128 kB (split into 8 banks of 16 kB each)   
ROM             32 kB ROM with Sinclair 48k Basic (compatibility)   
                and Sinclair 128k Basic (key-by-key spelling)   
Graphics        Standard Specci: 32 x 24 characters or 256 x 192 pixels 
                Colours: 15 colors, only one colour attribute per character 
Sound           Yamaha AY-3-8912: 3 channels, 8 octaves 
I/O ports       PAL TV, RGB Monitor (and PERITEL TV), MIDI out, 
                RS232, Parallel printer (8 bit), Aux. serial port (keypad), 
                Two joystick ports (IF II compat.), Tape/audio out, 
                Specci-style Expansion port (full Z80 bus)  
Mass storage    Built-in tape recorder  
Power supply    External PSU: 9V DC, 2.1A (centre = minus)  
Size & weight   44 x 17.5 x 5.5 cm, 1.525 kg    
Price           £200 (UK, 1986), 242F (?)  (France, Jan.1987)

Name	Letzte Änderung	Länge
Current Selling Prices/	2019-08-20 05:25	6
Dixon's Superdeal/	2019-08-22 19:20	3
Images/	2019-08-20 05:25	23
PCBs/	2019-08-20 05:25	4
Repair/	2019-08-20 05:25	3
ROMs/	2019-08-20 05:25	12
ZX Spectrum User Manual/	2019-08-20 05:25	91
2010-02-20 £36.00.jpg size: 300 × 225	2010-03-12 17:06	11681
ZX Spectrum+2 Review.html	1995-10-15 17:31	10096

/Vintage/Sinclair/86/ZX Spectrum+2/