| Manufacturer | Scorpion |
|---|---|
| Release date | 1991 |
| Discontinued | 1996 |
| Operating system | Sinclair BASIC, TR-DOS, CP/M and IS-DOS |
| CPU | Z80B @ 3.5 MHz |
| Memory | 256 KiB |
| Storage | Hard drive |
| Removable storage | Floppy discs, cassette tape |
| Display | 256x192 |
| Sound | Beeper, AY-3-8912 |
| Backward compatibility | ZX Spectrum 128 |
 | |
| Manufacturer | Scorpion |
|---|---|
| Release date | 1996 |
| Discontinued | 2000 |
| Operating system | Sinclair BASIC, TR-DOS, CP/M and IS-DOS |
| CPU | Z80B @ 7.0 MHz |
| Memory | 256 KiB |
| Storage | Hard drive |
| Removable storage | Floppy discs, cassette tape |
| Display | 256x192 |
| Sound | Beeper, AY-3-8912 |
| Backward compatibility | ZX Spectrum 128 |
The Scorpion ZS-256 was a very widespread ZX Spectrum clone produced in St. Petersburg by Sergey Zonov (same person behind the "Leningrad" clone).[1][2][3][4][5]
Introduced in 1991, it was fitted with a Zilog Z80B processor, a AY-3-8910 sound chip, whilst RAM memory options ranged from 256 to 1024 KB.[6]
The computer was usually assembled in a mini tower configuration with a standard IBM power supply, allowing the connection of peripherals, drives, etc.[7] Various expansions were produced, including SMUC – an adapter for IDE and ISA slots, which allowed the use of IBM PC compatible hard drives and expansion cards.[8]
The Shadow Service Monitor (debugger) in the BASIC ROM was activated by pressing the Magic Button (NMI). There was also the option of fitting the machine with a ProfROM which included such software as a clock, hard disk utilities, and the ZX-Word text editor.[9][10] The computer can work with TR-DOS, CP/M and IS-DOS systems.[7]
In 1996, the Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo+ version was introduced, featuring a "turbo" mode (7 MHz instead of the original's 3.50 MHz), IDE Controller, CMOS, interrupt controller, ISA8 slot, as part of the SMUC expansion card., expansion board 101-key PC type keyboard, 3.5 floppy disc drive and a XTR modem (allowing access to ZX Net and FidoNet).[7][1][2][11][12]
Extension kit Scorpion GMX (Graphic Memory eXpander) for Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo+, comes with 2MB of RAM and can emulate other clones like the Pentagon 128. It has new graphics modes: 640 x 200 with 16 colors; 80x25 character text mode.[1]
Production of Spectrum-compatible computers ceased in 1998, with the Scorpion company focusing on the sale of IBM PC-compatibles and office equipment.
