Apricot Computers: The Unsung Hero of 80s Computing

In the world of personal computing, certain brands have attained a sort of legendary status due to their innovations and widespread adoption by consumers. Names like IBM, Apple, and Microsoft are known by just about everyone, regardless of age. However, there was another brand that made a significant mark on the industry in the 80s, in spite of its lower profile. That brand was Apricot Computers.

Based in the United Kingdom, Apricot Computers began as a division of the British company ACT, which primarily produced office equipment like typewriters and calculators. In 1983, ACT decided to dip its toes into the rapidly-growing personal computer market, and thus Apricot was born. The company’s first model, the Apricot PC, was released that same year.

The Apricot PC was, in many ways, a typical 80s-era computer. It was powered by an Intel 8088 processor clocked at 4.77 MHz, had 64 kilobytes of memory (upgradable to 512 KB), and ran on MS-DOS. However, it set itself apart from the competition in a few key ways. For one, it had a built-in 9-inch monochrome monitor, which saved users the hassle and expense of having to buy a separate display. The monitor was also capable of displaying 25 lines of text, compared to the industry-standard 24, which made it easier to read long documents. Additionally, the Apricot PC featured an “intelligent” keyboard that could be programmed to execute certain tasks with a single keystroke.

Over the next few years, Apricot would release several more models, each one offering improvements over its predecessor. The Apricot F1, released in 1985, boasted a 10-megabyte hard drive and an 80-column display – the latter of which made it compatible with more software than the Apricot PC. The Apricot Portable, also released in 1985, was one of the earliest laptop computers, and came with a battery pack that could power the machine for up to four hours. In 1986, the Apricot XK, aimed at the high-end market, featured a five-megabyte hard drive and 1 MB of RAM, making it one of the most powerful computers of its time.

Despite their impressive features, Apricot computers never quite achieved the level of popularity enjoyed by brands like IBM and Apple. This was due, in part, to the fact that they were primarily marketed to business users rather than individual consumers. However, they did develop a dedicated following among those who appreciated their innovative design and solid performance. In fact, some users still swear by their Apricots to this day.

Apricot Computers may not have been a household name, but they played an important role in the early days of personal computing. Their innovative designs and focus on usability helped pave the way for the machines we use today. While their time in the spotlight was relatively brief, their contributions to the industry should not be overlooked.

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