TK80 explained

Type:	Home computer
Release Date:	Brazil:
Processor:	Z80A
Memory:	1 or 2 KB
Os:	4K BASIC
Media:	Cassette tape
Baseprice:	Cr$ 68,850 (1KB RAM), Cr$ 73,650 (2KB RAM)
Successor:	TK82C
Display:	Monochrome TV out; 24 lines × 32 characters or 64 × 48 block graphics mode
Cpuspeed:	3.25 MHz
Compatibility:	ZX80
Manufacturer:	Microdigital Eletrônica

The TK80 was a home computer produced by Microdigital Eletrônica.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} A clone of the Sinclair ZX80,^{[5] [6] [7]} it was introduced along with the TK82C in 1981 during the "I Feira Internacional de Informática". There were two versions, one with 1 KB RAM costing Cr$ 68,850 and another with 2 KB costing Cr$73,650.

In the January 1982 issue of Micro Sistemas magazine, Tomas Roberto Kovari, Microdigital's engineer, stated that the machines were being sold with a photocopied manual, while a printed version was being developed.^[8] Kovari estimated a potential market for 10000 machines in Brazil, with expected buyers being novelty seekers, students and self employed professionals.

According to some sources, the TK80 was never commercially produced, with only prototypes existing.^{[2] [9] [10]}

Specifications

Specifications were similar to the original machine:

• CPU: Z80A @ 3.25 MHz
• Memory: ROM: 4 KiB; RAM: 1 or 2 KiB
• Keyboard: 40 keys membrane keyboard
• Display: 32 × 22 text; 64 × 44 semigraphics
• Expansion: 1 slot
• Outputs: 1 TV out (RF modulator, channel 3); cassette tape recorder audio in/out
• Storage: Cassette tape (300 bauds)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Clube do TK90X . 2023-01-20 . www.tk90x.com.br . pt.
2. Web site: Directory: /Vintage/Sinclair/80/Clones/Microdigital, Brazil/TK80/ . 2023-01-20 . k1.spdns.de.
3. Web site: Historia . 2023-01-20 . Z81 Never Die . pt.
4. Book: Veja . 1989 . Editora Abril . pt-BR.
5. Web site: Microdigital TK 80 . 2023-01-20 . www.museo8bits.com . es.
6. Web site: TK-80 . 2023-01-20 . 1000 BiT.
7. Web site: 2022-07-16 . Análise: Reserva de mercado tornou indústria nacional de informática um nascedouro de clones . Analysis: Market restrictions made the national computer industry a birthplace of clones . 2023-01-20 . Folha de S.Paulo . pt-BR.
8. Noronha . Paulo . January 1982 . Simples e baratos, os novos micros pessoais estão chegando . Simple and cheap, the new personal computers are coming . Micro Sistemas . pt . 4 . 12.
9. Web site: Silva . Daniel . 2002 . Templo Digital - 8 BITS . 2023-01-20 . pt . 2004-03-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20040307172131/http://www.danlucio.hpg.ig.com.br/microdigital.html . dead .
10. Web site: Cardoso . Carlos . 2021-09-21 . Adeus Sir Clive Sinclair, obrigado por tudo . Goodbye Sir Clive Sinclair, thanks for everything . 2023-01-20 . Meio Bit . pt.