MicroAce

The MicroAce was a 1980 Sinclair ZX80 home computer clone, designed and manufactured by CompShop and distributed in the USA by MicroAce of Santa Ana, California.^[1][2][3]

MicroAce

MicroAce advertisement, 1980
Manufacturer	CompShop, MicroAce
Type	Home computer
Release date	1980; 45 years ago (1980)
Introductory price	$149
Media	Cassette tape
Operating system	Sinclair BASIC
CPU	Z80 @ 3.25 MHz
Memory	1 KB
Display	Monochrome display on UHF television
Graphics	24 lines × 32 characters or 64 × 48 block graphics mode
Backward compatibility	Sinclair ZX80

It was also sold in Australia and was distributed by Dick Smith Electronics.

Description

Advertised as "a microcomputer for everyone at a micro price ... a complete computer for $149.00 for 1K [RAM] kit" with optional 2K RAM,^[4][5] it was an unlicensed clone of the Sinclair ZX80 and had an identical, yet obfuscated copy of the ROM by means of a bit-swap.^[6][7] Some time later, between 1980 and 1981, MicroAce settled with Sinclair and licensed the ROM of the ZX81.^[8][9]

Reception

BYTE stated that the instructions were insufficient for those inexperienced in kit assembly, and suggested that beginners learn how to solder first. It found some fit and finish issues with the completed computer, and criticized MicroAce for being unresponsive to questions. The review stated that "if you recognize the limitations of the machine and don't expect too much, then I think you can buy the MicroAce kit with confidence", albeit strongly recommending the 2K RAM option.^[8]