Dongle-free QLs are poised to arrive on the streets: the hardware, the software and the Super Basic got a long cool look from PCN

At long last the Sinclair QL computer is becoming available. Everyone who ordered the computer just after the launch should have received it. According to Sinclair, things are going so well that you should be able to buy the QL in high street shops from next month. Since the QL first made an appearance there have been a few changes in both the software and the hardware. How good is this so-called finished version of Sir Clive's brainchild?

Due to a problem of fitting the ROMs inside the QL computer, early versions of the machine were sent out with some of the Operating Software in a 'dongle' which was fitted into the cartridge slot on the rear of the machine. Probably the first thing you'll notice about the new machine, once you get it out of its polystrene box, is the total lack of any form of dongle. Yes, the ROM is now inside the machine.

With the external power supply plugged in and the micro connected to your TV or monitor, you can start to use the QL.

Before you can do any work you are asked if you are using a TV or monitor. If you have a monitor, the QL switches into 80 column mode, if you have a TV it uses 40. It is possible to have 80 columns on a TV, but you lose characters off the edges of the screen and they are difficult to read.

The display is not the best by any means but it is adequate. With a TV the colours tend to be a little wavy. Even with a monitor that gives sharp pictures when used with other machines the picture may not be great.

Once you start to use the computer you find what is probably the most disappointing feature of the QL: the keyboard. Most computers today have a stepped keyboard and real keys. The keys on the QL are totally flat, rather like a calculator keyboard. When given to a touch typist to try out the reaction was definitely not favourable.

Because the keyboard is flat, Sinclair has included three feet that push into holes at the rear of the machine. This does tilt the keyboard towards you but doesn't step it.

Everyone interested in computers probably knows that Sinclair has provided two Microdrives rather than disk drives with the QL. Unfortunately these drives, and the small tape cartridges associated with them, are nowhere near as reliable. If you have a Spectrum with an Interface 1 and Microdrives you can save your programs onto cassette for security. Unfortunately, the QL has no cassette interface and so you have to put all your faith in the Microdrives.

The main problem with the drives appears after the machine has been switched on for a while. The power socket is just behind the two drives and the QL gets very warm, especially towards the rear of drive two. When the QL failed to back up the software supplied with the machine, a spokesman for Psion said that this could be caused by the drives getting too hot. Turning the machine off and trying again later was his suggestion. If you had a long program in memory it seems rather silly to have to turn the machine off and let it cool down before you can save it. Fortunately, it appears that drive 1 can normally be trusted as it doesn't get as warm as drive 2 - always verify any programs though as you can't be too careful.

The rear of the machine supports a vast array of sockets. These are the cartridge/ROM port, two joystick ports, two serial ports, TV, monitor, power and network connectors. The most important thing to notice about these sockets is that they are nothing like those found on other machines. If you happen to have a fairly new telephone examine the socket it plugs into. This could be the same type used on the QL for the joystick are serial ports.

If you want to make your own leads for the machine you're going to have problems. An hour spent going around the local hardware shops led me to believe that you simply can't buy them. The first company to produce an add-on that converts the serial sockets to standard 25-way D-type sockets and the joystick ports to 9-way could well be set to make a fortune.

It's a real pity that the QL doesn't live up to what was expected of it. There are too many points which show a lack of thought - for example the type of socket on the rear.

In another six months, when there are lots of add-ons and the bugs in the machine are fixed, the QL will probably be a good buy. At the moment I think my money will go elsewhere.