 Sinclair was critical of the BBC 's decision , accusing it of incompetence and arrogance . Shortly after Acorn won the BBC contract the Government issued a recommended list of computers , including the BBC Micro and Research Machines 380Z , that schools could purchase , with the aid of a grant , for half price ; Sinclair 's computers were not included on the list . Sinclair responded by launching his own half @-@ price deal , offering schools the chance to buy a ZX81 and 16 KB RAM pack for £ 60 , plus a ZX Printer at half price , for a total cost of £ 90 . As the cheapest Government @-@ approved system was £ 130 , this was an attractive offer for many schools and about 2 @,@ 300 bought Sinclair 's package . 
