View source for Sinclair Oxford

{{Infobox calculator
| name         = Sinclair Oxford
| image        = Sinclair_Oxford_Calculator_Models.jpg
| caption      = Sinclair Oxford calculators
| type         = [[Scientific calculator]]
| entry        =
| invent-date  =
| invent-name  =
| conn1        =
| via1_1       =
| designfirm   =
| manufacturer = [[Sinclair Radionics]]
| introduced   = Spring 1975
| discontinued = 1976
| predecessor  =
| successor    =
| cost         =
| processor    =
| prog_lang    =
| frequency    =
| precision    =
| display_type = [[Light-emitting diode]]/ [[Vacuum fluorescent display]] (Type 1s used the LED and Type 2s the VFD)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vintagesinclair.co.uk/oxford.html |publisher=Vintage Sinclair |title=Oxford |accessdate=8 December 2013}}</ref>
| display_size = 8 digits
| memory_user  =
| memory_rom   =
| memory_extern=
| memory_data  =
| memory_step  =
| connection   =
| ports        =
| supply       = [[PP3 battery]]
| power        =
| weight       = 138 [[gram]]s (Oxford 300 excluding batteries)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vintage-technology.info/pages/calculators/s/sincoxf300.htm |title=Sinclair Oxford 300 (Type II) |publisher=vintage-technology.info |accessdate=8 December 2013}}</ref>
| dimensions   = {{convert |73|x|155|x|34|mm|in}}
}}

'''Sinclair Oxford''' was a range of low-cost [[scientific calculator]]s manufactured and sold by [[Sinclair Radionics]] in England from 1975 until 1976.

==History==
In November 1974, [[Gillette (brand)|Gillette]] wanted to enter the consumer electronics market, so consulted Sinclair, who designed for them the ''Gillette GPA''.<ref name=ps>{{cite web |url=http://oldwww.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/calculators/oxford.htm |title=Sinclair Oxford 1975-76 |publisher=Planet Sinclair |accessdate=8 December 2013}}</ref> Whilst the GPA was released, Gillette put the product on hold after a short time due to economic and pricing uncertainties.<ref name=ps/> Sinclair would use the GPA design for the Oxford range, the development and tooling of which had been paid for by Gillette.<ref name=ps/>

The first model was the ''Oxford 100'', launched in Spring 1975 for {{GBP|12.95}} (all prices exclude [[Value Added Tax (United Kingdom)|VAT]]); and essentially the same as the GPA.<ref name=ps/><ref name=vc>{{cite web |url=http://www.vintagecalculators.com/html/oxford_100_gillette_gpa.html |title=Gillette GPA / Sinclair Oxford 100 |publisher=vintagecalculators.com |accessdate=8 December 2013}}</ref> Both the Gillette GPA and Oxford 100 models used 8 digit displays with red [[light-emitting diode]]s (LEDs), 4 functions, 9 volt PP3 batteries, and measured {{convert |73|x|155|x|34|mm|in}}.<ref name=vc/>

==Models==
All the Oxford models were similar in appearance; the 150 was introduced in 1975 introducing the ability to calculate percentages and square roots.<ref name=ps/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vintagecalculators.com/html/oxford_150.html |title=Sinclair Oxford 150 |publisher=vintagecalculators.com |accessdate=8 December 2013}}</ref> The ''Oxford 200'' included [[memory]] and sold for £19.95.<ref name=ps/> The ''Oxford 300'' was a scientific model with a limited number of functions (such as sin, cos, tan), which sold for £29.95, much lower than the competition.<ref name=ps/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvfilmprops.co.uk/det/355/Sinclair-Oxford-Scientific-Calculator/ |title=Sinclair Oxford Scientific Calculator |publisher=tvfilmprops.co.uk |accessdate=8 December 2013}}</ref> The last two models, the ''Oxford Scientific'' (1976) and ''Oxford Universal'' were the most advanced of the range.<ref name=ps/>

The high power consumption of the calculators, which drew 40 mA while in operation, four times the recommended limit of the batteries, meant a short battery life. ''Computer Digest'' recommended using a much larger [[PP9 battery|PP9]] battery, but that meant losing the portability of the calculator.<ref name=ps/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Sinclair calculators}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1975]]
[[Category:Sinclair calculators]]