The first part I wrote on the Z88:
Part One
N:RAM.0/z88plainF
Always keen to add to my Sinclair collection this is my latest
addition. A Cambridge Computers Z88 which is a pretty nifty portable
computer with a crisp display and a good range on four AA batteries.
I've also acquired a link kit to use with the QL.
I'll be taking a photos as I go with some details on the Z88 plus how I
get on with the QL link kit. All written on the Z88 then transferred to
the QL and finally posted on the QL Forum.
The Z88 itself arrived in some very attractive packaging, the Z88
packed in a kind of plastic corrugated "cardboard" the same
material used for the boot liner on the C5. This silver packet also has
a handle to double up as a carry case.
The first step was to install the four AA batteries then perform a hard
reset to initialize the machine. Next up I set the date and time in the
clock, no problems with Y2K either!
To write this article I'm using the main application on the Z88 called
Pipedream which is a multipurpose office program. The menu key is used
to toggle through the various menus for setting options, saving,
adjusting page layout etc. Plus you also have a built in interactive
help which is accessed using the help key.
While writing your article or using other applications, the index key
will suspend that program, allowing you to run something else such
as the calculator, filer etc and then switch back to your suspended
task later.
Considering the age of the Z88 (around 1987/8) it's a very impressive
machine sporting a battery life of over 20 hours, a super fast easy to
use operating system plus the use of battery back ram and flash ram for
quick saving. I don't have any extra cards yet but the machine has
three sockets in the bottom allowing for extra ram and storage.
