Apricot Computers
(Redirected from ACT Apricot)
Categories: Computer companies of the United Kingdom | Defunct companies of the United Kingdom
Apricot Computers was a British manufacturer of business personal computers, originally founded in 1965 as "Applied Computer Techniques".Contents |
History
1980s
In 1982, ACT released their first microcomputer. It was built by another company, but marketed under the ACT brand. In America it was a moderate success. Later in 1982 ACT signed a deal with Victor to distribute the "Victor 9000" as the ACT "Sirius 1" in the UK and Europe. It sold for £2754 and was a commercial success, but did not become popular in the US. The "Sirius 1" was not IBM PC compatible.
In September 1983 the Apricot PC was released, based on an Intel 8086 microprocessor running at 4.77MHz. It ran MS-DOS or CP/M and was compatible with the IBM PC. The graphics quality were critically acclaimed, with a 800 x 400 resolution and a keyboard with 8 "normal" and 6 flat programmable function keys along with a built-in LCD screen (40 characters / 2 lines) which displayed the function of the keys. Microsoft Word and Multiplan were supplied with the Apricot PC.
In 1984 ACT released a home computer, the "Apricot F1." It had a GUI-based operating system and was not IBM PC compatible. The machine was only successful in the UK. It was bundled with software for graphics, communication, word processing and system tools. The same infra-red trackball pointing device used with the Apricot Portable was also available for the F1. Also in 1984, the Apricot Portable was released, with an infra-red keyboard, a voice system, 5MHz CPU, 640 x 200 LCD display for £1965.In 1985 ACT was renamed "Apricot Computers".
1990s
Although Apricot's proprietary computers were successful in the UK, the IBM PC had achieved critical mass in the US market before Apricot could make a dent. Eventually Apricot switched to production of IBM compatibles, but was eventually bought by Mitsubishi and closed down.