Impulse buying: Commodore Plus4 and Sinclair ZX81

Lo sapete, sono un appassionato di retro computer ed elettronica vintage… Sometimes it happens to find those offers irresistible, at least that's how they are perceived. In reality, there is little irresistible, and the purchase is completely irrational, even if at a good price. Introducing my new Commodore Plus4 and Sinclair ZX81!

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Impulse buying: Commodore Plus4 and Sinclair ZX81

Sarà l’ebbrezza di ricevere un pacco, sarà l’adrenalina scatenata dal testare questi computer vintage e scoprire se funzionano oppure no… Insomma, recentemente ho acquistato un Commodore Plus/4 e un Sinclair ZX81, da un venditore che ho conosciuto tramite il mio sito.

The seller, Ivan, was very kind and honest about the condition of the computers: they are not tested. They can work, or they don't even turn on. He sold them to me at a very attractive price.

I decided to buy them even though they may not be working, as they would still be a bargain for spare parts. In the video, initially, I show the package and the packaging, and then proceed to unboxing. The Commodore Plus4 is in the original polystyrene, a bit run down. It is complete with warranty certificate, original power supply with square connector and video cable.

Buy Commodore Plus4, polystyrene, computer, power supply, warranty certificate

The Sinclair ZX81 is not equipped with any accessories. It is in good condition, although it has a sticker stuck on it and the inscription ZX81 traced with a marker.

Buy Sinclair ZX81, vintage computer

I test the Commodore Plus4

The adrenaline is growing, even if it is destined to collapse soon!

Before testing the computer, I always suggest testing the supply voltages of the power supply. I explain it in this article.

The power supply that the seller sold me is fully functional. I also test the computer with my power supply (which I already have, since I own a Commodore Plus/4). Purtroppo… il computer non funziona!

This computer is only for spare parts: it may not be worth repairing, given the high cost of replacement chips.

Commodore Plus-4 test, does not work

The test of the Sinclair ZX81

The adrenaline instead remained high with the Sinclair ZX81: the computer works!

I connected the antenna to the TV on analog channel 36 and, although the image is very bad, I saw the cursor! A simple square at the bottom left of the monitor. I tried to tune the TV better and change the video cable, but the result is still a shaky image. The TV is obviously not suitable for this computer.

Provando a scrivere il mio nome “AMEDEO” sulla tastiera del computer vintage, mi sono reso conto di non essere ancora bravo ad utilizzare lo ZX81!

Test Sinclair ZX81, works, channel 36 analog TV

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