It was intended for use by small businesses, students, and hobbyists, and was remarkable value for money from the outset. Today there are many businesses still buying QL's rather than spend thousands on more elaborate systems. It is extremely well supported with inexpensive programs, some library ones only GBP 2, or free. They cover all kinds of subjects from games to business, as well as graphics, and the really complex. As supplied the QL includes four standard programs.
Many users are students of the applications of computers, and the art of programming.
The small size and lightness of the 'QL' and the facility to display on 'TV' or 'Monitor' aided by the built-in microdrives makes it portable, for example between office and home. There are also many specialist programs for accounting, desk top publishing, graphic art, computer aided design, and other subjects. The QL can operate all devices such as printers and modems via RS232 ports and where necessary interfaces. Disk and hard-disk systems are available. The QL is based on the famous Motorola 68008 microprocessor, and the basic machine has 128K of RAM expandable by 768K using expansion cards without another CPU on it, a ROM expansion port is provided.