Editing ZX Spectrum (section)

=== ZX Spectrum +3 {{anchor|plus3}}===
[[file:ZX Spectrum Plus3.jpeg|thumb|ZX Spectrum +3]]
The ''ZX Spectrum +3'', which was launched in 1987, bore a resemblance to its predecessor but introduced a built-in 3-inch [[floppy disk]] drive instead of the cassette drive. Initially priced at £249,<ref name="South">{{Cite journal |last= South |first= Phil |date= July 1987 |title= It's here... the Spectrum +3 |journal= [[Your Sinclair]] |issue= 17 |pages= 22–23 |url= http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=YourSinclair/Issue19/Pages/YourSinclair1900022.jpg |access-date= 5 August 2008 |archive-date= 9 August 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120809145932/http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=YourSinclair/Issue19/Pages/YourSinclair1900022.jpg |url-status= live }}</ref> it later retailed for £199.<ref name="sincuser-68">{{Cite journal |author= Amstrad |date= November 1987 |title= The new Sinclair has one big disk advantage |journal= [[Sinclair User]] |issue= 68 |pages= 2–3 |url= http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=SinclairUser/Issue068/Pages/SinclairUser06800002.jpg |access-date= 5 August 2008 |author-link= Amstrad |archive-date= 25 August 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120825201005/http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=SinclairUser/Issue068/Pages/SinclairUser06800002.jpg |url-status= live }}</ref> It was the only Spectrum model capable of running the [[CP/M]] operating system without additional hardware. Unlike its predecessors, the ZX Spectrum +3 power supply utilised a DIN connector and featured "Sinclair +3" branding on the case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkdistribution.co.uk/acatalog/Power-supply-for-Spectrum-128---2A---3-PS_SPE3.html|title=Power supply for Spectrum 128, +2A, +3|publisher=York Distribution Limited|access-date=21 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829065203/http://www.yorkdistribution.co.uk/acatalog/Power-supply-for-Spectrum-128---2A---3-PS_SPE3.html|archive-date=29 August 2016}}</ref>

Significant alterations caused a series of incompatibilities, such as the removal of several lines on the expansion bus edge connector. This resulted in complications for various peripherals. Additionally, changes in memory timing led to certain RAM banks being contended, causing failures in high-speed colour-changing effects. The keypad scanning routines from the ROM were also eliminated, rendering some older 48K and 128K games incompatible with the machine. The ZX Interface 1 was also rendered incompatible due to disparities in ROM and expansion connectors, making it impossible to connect and use the Microdrive units.<ref name="Goodwin-145">{{Cite magazine| last= Goodwin |first= Simon |date=December 1987 |title= Tech Tips – +3 Faults |magazine= [[Crash (magazine)|Crash]] |issue= 48 |page= 145 |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Magazine_048b/page/144|access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref>

Production of the +3 was discontinued in December 1990, reportedly in response to Amstrad's relaunch of their CPC range, with an estimated 15% of ZX Spectrums sold being +3 models at the time. The +2B model, the only other model still in production at this point, continued to be manufactured, as it was believed not to be in direct competition with other computers in Amstrad's product range.<ref>{{cite news|title=Amstrad Kills Plus 3|url=https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-82/Crash_82_Nov_1990#page/n19/mode/2up|access-date=6 March 2018|work=Crash|issue=82|publisher=Newsfield|date=November 1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Death Of The +3|url=https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-60/YourSinclair_60_Dec_1990#page/n9/mode/2up|access-date=6 March 2018|work=Your Sinclair|issue=60|publisher=Future Publishing|date=December 1990|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610135431/http://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-60/YourSinclair_60_Dec_1990#page/n9/mode/2up|archive-date=10 June 2016}}</ref>