page_title: ZX Microdrive
hierarchical_section_title: ZX Microdrive
caption_attribution_description: English: ZX Microdrive opened, compared to the other means of data storage for the Sinclair ZX spectrum (a compact cassette that contains roughly the same amount of data - 100 kB - but takes 20 minutes to load, as compared to some ten seconds for the microdrive)
context_page_description: The ZX Microdrive is a magnetic tape data storage system launched in July 1983 by Sinclair Research for its ZX Spectrum home computer. It was proposed as a cheaper alternative to the floppy disk, but it suffered from poor reliability and lower speed. The Microdrive technology was later also used in the Sinclair QL and ICL One Per Desk personal computers. The minimum storage capacity of a Microdrive tape cartridge was 85 KB.
context_section_description: The ZX Microdrive is a magnetic tape data storage system launched in July 1983 by Sinclair Research for its ZX Spectrum home computer.  It was proposed as a cheaper alternative to the floppy disk, but it suffered from poor reliability and lower speed. The Microdrive technology was later also used in the Sinclair QL and ICL One Per Desk personal computers. The minimum storage capacity of a Microdrive tape cartridge was 85 KB.
caption: Opened microdrive cartridge, with a cassette tape for comparison.
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