What Was 1978's Raspberry Pi? The MK14 - Computerphile

TL;DR

The MK14 was a basic, relatively affordable microcomputer kit that helped begin Sinclair’s path into personal computing before the ZX80. Released by Science of Cambridge in 1977, it combined a touch keyboard, calculator-style LED display, 256 bytes of RAM, and an 8-bit processor. Its origins, severe constraints, and role in lowering the price barrier make its story worth reading.

Transcript

everybody knows about sinclair and the zx80 there's the lovely zx80 and a lot of people know that his story followed in the next year the zx81 but there was a machine that went before it wasn't from sinclair as a company wasn't from sinclair research from a company called science of cambridge um and it's the mk14 and it looks exactly like that pret... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍳 The MK14 was an early and affordable entry into the world of personal computing, breaking the price barrier of other, more expensive computers of the time.
• 💻 While the MK14 may have seemed basic, it provided a foundation for enthusiasts and hobbyists to learn about programming and computer hardware.
• 🎴 The MK14's low cost and simplicity made it accessible to a wider audience and played a significant role in the early development of personal computing.
• 🌍 The MK14's predecessor is the Sinclair ZX80, which is more well-known in the personal computing world.
• 😷 The MK14 had limited RAM and a basic display and keyboard, but this didn't diminish its potential for real-world applications, such as medical research and control systems.
• 😘 The MK14's programming language involved typing in hexadecimal code, a process that required a good understanding of assembly language and low-level programming concepts.
• 🎨 The MK14 influenced future computer designs, such as the Acorn System One, which showcased the progression and evolution of microcomputers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the MK14 computer?

The MK14 was an early microcomputer kit sold by Science of Cambridge before the ZX80 appeared. It was a basic machine, but owners could write and run their own code on it.

Q: Did the MK14 come before the Sinclair ZX80?

Yes. The MK14 came out in 1977, before the ZX80 and ZX81. It marked the beginning of the work that Sinclair would develop further with later home computers.

Q: How affordable was the MK14 compared with other computers of its era?

The MK14 cost 39.95 plus eight percent VAT, while other contemporary microcomputers could cost vastly more. It was still not truly cheap for most people, but it broke the prevailing computer price barrier by a substantial amount.

Q: What specifications did the MK14 have?

The MK14 had a touch keyboard, a seven-segment LED display, 256 bytes of RAM, and an 8-bit processor. Its processor had 12 bits of address space, with an additional four bits accessible through software programming.

Q: How was the MK14 programmed?

Programming involved entering hexadecimal code through its simple touch keyboard. That required an understanding of assembly language and low-level programming concepts.

Q: Who originated the idea for the MK14?

Ian Williamson developed an idea for a microcomputer kit based on a reference design for the SC/MP processor. He presented his board and product proposal to Clive Sinclair and Chris Curry, who were interested in its potential.

Q: Why did Science of Cambridge use the National Semiconductor design?

When the company approached National Semiconductor to buy SC/MP chips, the manufacturer offered both the chips and its existing reference design as a favorable package. Chris Curry therefore told Ian Williamson that the company would proceed with National Semiconductor’s design instead.

Q: Was the MK14 useful beyond hobbyist programming?

Yes. The existing account describes applications in medical research, including controlling inputs and outputs, monitoring data, and analyzing results. Its simple design still allowed it to support practical control and research work.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Sinclair MK14 was released in 1977, several years before the ZX80, and played a vital role in the early days of personal computing.

• It was a basic microcomputer with limited RAM, a simple touch keyboard, and a calculator-like LED display.

• The MK14 was significantly cheaper than other computers of the time, making it an accessible option for enthusiasts and hobbyists.