old-computers.com/website
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests Actions Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity

Full content from the completed page crawl (media download still running)

Browse Source 
6,654 pages: 1,289 machines, 702 software, 460 companies, 64 history, 17 articles, 59 fun.
4,336 media files so far; references to files not downloaded yet are left out.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
This commit is contained in:
yann64
2026-10-12 07:55:22 +02:00
co-authored by Claude Opus 5.5
parent 785c4967be
commit 3eeabe9649
10027 changed files with 321638 additions and 24 deletions
Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files
content/museum/act-apricot-portable.md
+264
View File
@@ -0,0 +1,264 @@
---
title: ACT Apricot Portable
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Transportable
origins:
- United Kingdom
years:
- '1984'
cpus:
- lntel 8086
params:
name: Apricot Portable
company: /companies/act
company_name: ACT
specs:
- label: NAME
value: Apricot Portable
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: ACT
- label: TYPE
value: Transportable
- label: ORIGIN
value: United Kingdom
- label: YEAR
value: '1984'
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: None
- label: KEYBOARD
value: infrared membrane keyboard, 92 keys, 10 function keys and numeric keypad (same keyboard as the Apricot F1)
- label: CPU
value: lntel 8086
- label: SPEED
value: 5 Mhz
- label: RAM
value: 256k, up to 1024k
- label: VRAM
value: 128k with the color option
- label: ROM
value: 32k
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 80 chars. x 25 lines (LCD screen)
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: |-
LCD screen : 640 x 200\
External monitor : 640 x 256 (8 colors simultaneously out of a palette of 16)
- label: COLORS
value: |-
LCD display : monochrome\
Color option : 8 colors simultaneously out of a palette of 16
- label: SOUND
value: Beeper, Key click
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: 45 (W) x 20 (W) x 17.2 (H) cm / 5.8 kg
- label: I/O PORTS
value: Centronics parallel, RS232 serial,RGB monitor, Apricot-compatible expansion slot
- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
value: one Sony 3.5'' disk-drive, double-sided, 720k
- label: OS
value: MS-DOS 2.11, Concurrent CP/M Version 3, CP/M 86
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: Internal PSU
- label: PERIPHERALS
value: ACT's modem card, memory expansion, 10Mb external hard-disk, infrared mouse/trackball
- label: PRICE
value: '256 Kb model : £1695 (UK, november 84)'
tabs:
- photos
- emulators
- links
- docs
photos:
- title: APRICOT PORTABLE
subtitle: ''
text: Next to it is the infra-red trackball.
image: null
- title: WHITE KEYBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This Apricot Portable had a white keyboard. This computer used the same keyboard as the Apricot F1 hence it's possible to find Apricot Portable systems with Apricot F1 keyboards mounted !
Notice that the trackball is also white instead of the black one normally sold with the Portable. Even the microphone clipped on right side of the LCD screen is white...
Picture courtesy of [Allard's Computer Museum](http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/computermuseum/).
image: null
- title: CLOSED
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: null
- title: REAR
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: null
- title: INSIDE EXPLAINED
subtitle: ''
text: |-
In spite of several original innovations (speech recognition, infra-red data transmissions), the internal design of the Apricot Portable remained very traditional for the time. No specialized components were used to simplify the two electronic boards, which were heavily loaded with traditional circuits. Like all ACT models, this portable computer had, however great proven reliability.
**(1)** Liquid crystal display which can be used in text and graphic modes.\
**(2)** The integrated microphone makes it possible to memorize 63 english commands which can be then used in software provided with the system.\
**(3)** The 256 KB RAM is made up of 32 x 4164 memory chips (64000 x 1 bit cells).\
**(4)** Motherboard using a great number of standard circuits.\
**(5)** Sony 720 KB double-sided, double-density 3.5" disk drive. ACT was one of the first manufacturers to use this disk format.\
**(6)** This interface board manages all inputs/outputs (Serial, Parallel, infra-red, keyboard, disk drive, interfaces).\
**(7)** These 2 ROMs hold the BIOS of the machine and basic routines for the MS-DOS and CP/M 86 operating systems.\
**(8)** INTEL 8086 CPU running at 5 MHz, a true 16 bit microprocessor.
image: null
emulators:
- title: 'APE Plus : Apricot Emulator'
url: http://www.ansible.demon.co.uk/ai/ape.html
platform: MS DOS
text: Commercial emulator that emulates PC/Xi/Xen, the \`F' Series, and the Apricot FP Portable
- title: QDAE
url: http://www.seasip.info/Unix/QDAE/
platform: Multiplatform
text: QDAE is a Quick and Dirty Apricot Emulator for Linux, Windows and MacOS X. This version emulates the Apricot F1; it may support other F-series Apricots as well.
links:
- title: ACT Apricot computers support page
url: http://www.actapricot.org/home/
text: Useful infos. Some links might be outdated
- title: ACT Apricot Computers Yahoo Group
url: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/actapricot/
text: Discussion list for the ACT Apricot computers.
docs:
- title: SCHEMATICS FROM TECHNICAL REFERENCE MANUAL
url: http://www.actapricot.org/support/
cover: null
text: |-
[**SCHEMATICS FROM TECHNICAL REFERENCE MANUAL**](http://www.actapricot.org/support/)written by ACT
 compiled/archived by Jonathan Marsters\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [www.actapricot.org](http://www.actapricot.org)
- title: USER PROMPT APRICOT GUIDE FOR THE APRICOT PORTABLE (FP)
url: http://www.actapricot.org/support/
cover: null
text: |-
[**USER PROMPT APRICOT GUIDE FOR THE APRICOT PORTABLE (FP)**](http://www.actapricot.org/support/)written by UserPrompt Guides
 compiled/archived by Jonathan Marsters\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [www.actapricot.org](http://www.actapricot.org)
- title: USER PROMPT APRICOT GUIDE ISSUE 1
url: http://www.actapricot.org/support/
cover: null
text: |-
[**USER PROMPT APRICOT GUIDE ISSUE 1**](http://www.actapricot.org/support/)written by UserPrompt Guides
 compiled/archived by Jonathan Marsters\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [www.actapricot.org](http://www.actapricot.org)
- title: USER PROMPT APRICOT GUIDE ISSUE 2
url: http://www.actapricot.org/support/
cover: null
text: |-
[**USER PROMPT APRICOT GUIDE ISSUE 2**](http://www.actapricot.org/support/)written by UserPrompt Guides
 compiled/archived by Jonathan Marsters\
 type of document : PDF\
 source : [www.actapricot.org](http://www.actapricot.org)
comments:
- author: Carl Plumer (United States)
date: Tuesday 5th February 2019
text: I''m very interested in acquiring the beautiful Apricot PCs, manuals, after market books, etc., and peripherals. Means a lot to me and I will treat them all like fragile crystals of pure joy. Ping me at carlsplumer AT gmail DOT com if you want to chat about your Apricot stuff. Cheers!
- author: james (australia)
date: Tuesday 21st August 2018
text: I have an old manual for the apricot portable if anyone wants it . crick@ozemail.com.au
- author: Matt
date: Thursday 9th August 2018
text: |-
My dad worked at apricot from the early 80’s until there demise, and I’ve inherited many portable apricots also many prototypes of most models endless amounts.\
I’m looking to move them on to an enthusiast that will appreciate them\
Thanks Matt
- author: Sergio (Italia)
date: Saturday 21st May 2016
text: |-
Hello,
I''''m looking for the original Apricot mic for my act portable, if someone has one to sell please contact me.
- author: Roy (United Kingdom, Kent)
date: Friday 24th August 2012
text: |-
Got the portable, in special case, mouse, manuals, discs etc. complete.\
Want an offer or what have you?\
Roy
- author: Roy (United Kingdom, Kent)
date: Friday 24th August 2012
text: |-
Got the portable, in special case, mouse, manuals, discs etc. complete.\
Want an offer or what have you?\
Roy
- author: Roy (United Kingdom, Kent)
date: Friday 24th August 2012
text: |-
Got the portable, in special case, mouse, manuals, discs etc. complete.\
Want an offer or what have you?\
Roy
- author: John B (Canada)
date: Sunday 11th December 2011
text: |-
The Portable/FP was only ever available with an 8086 and strangely will not support the NEC V20 as a $-in speed upgrade. The systems originally selling with only 256kb of ram had the black finish and the better 512kb systems came in white. You also can not repopulate the system board (512kb units came with half their banks filled) with an additional 512kb of ram, thus maxing the machine out, and get the memory to immediately be detected by the BIOS. The service manual also does not state how exactly you get around this, so that nibble of info might be lost to time.\
The floppy drive (Sony OA-D32W) is a twin head drive unlike the OA-D32V and thus works with double-sided diskettes.\
The only truly awful design issues with the system was the glossy plastic over the LCD which makes for a near mirror finish (and incredible glare) and the absolutely dreadful IBM text mode emulation which all Apricots had up until the XEN 386.
- author: wus
date: Friday 18th November 2011
text: Didn''t the apricot portable use a 80186 cpu?
- author: Dave J (Wales)
date: Monday 28th February 2011
text: I still have mine and its in working order. It was a wonderfull machine and I learnt word processing and spread sheets on it. It was well ahead of its time and has to be one of the best of its time.
- author: Nico (Netherlands)
date: Sunday 8th August 2010
text: The specs on this page say it''s a 8086 processor. Mine has a Z80 processor. Also the Sony diskette drive was blocked. The grease used in those days turns into solid glue after so many years. Had to use solvent to make the thing move again. In the text at the top it says single sided 720k and in the specs at the bottom it says 720k double sided. It is 720k and 720k is always double sided as far as I know. To (dis)assemble the unit is a bit of a where to start and where to finish puzzle. Unfortunately have not been able to get it to work so far. No display and the diskette drive just starts the motors (spinning and head movement) and never stops. Any suggestions?
- author: Johan Hjelvik (Norway)
date: Monday 19th April 2010
text: This machine, released over 25 years ago, was very early on several new tecnologies$ LCD display, GUI, infrared connection and speech recognition. SuperWriter and Supercalc both worked very well. And, of course, I''ve still got mine, in perfect condition!
- author: Peter Hurst (UK)
date: Friday 21st March 2008
text: |-
I also bought an Apricot portable from Dixons, although the Voice Recognition was almost useless the fact it came with SuperCalc 5 rescued it from being a complete waste. Although Apricot hardware was not 100% PC compatible it gave me a cheap (£500) PC when I wanted to move from ZX81's and Atari 400's and see what the real world was like.
I remember I quite liked the infra-red keyboard and it came with a fibre optic "light pipe" in case the sun was on the sensor or objects got in the way. Later I got hold of some PC emulatin software which allowed me to run Procomm on it and it became quite a usefull tool.
- author: Daniel Garland (New Zealand)
date: Thursday 28th September 2006
text: This computer is bizarre, fantastic, odd & brilliant all at the same time. Way ahead of its time, in more sense than one - and check that case design! I would love to own one of these one day, however the chances of that are highly remote :-(
- author: Jozef Schildermans (Belgium)
date: Tuesday 17th September 2002
text: I bought a second hand Apricot portable around 1985 or 1986 and wrote lots of articles on it. The screen was not very good, but the voice recognition and wireless keyboard were way ahead of its time. Sadly, I traded the unit in for an IBM compatible pc with more memory and a CRT screen, so I don't have it anymore. Haven't seen one since, except for on this excellent site.
- author: George (Athens/Greece)
date: Saturday 20th April 2002
text: Apricot Portable is the most beautifull portable PC I've ever seen. Way ahead of it's time in the mid 80's
related:
- /museum/act-apricot-f1
- /museum/act-apricot-f2-f10
- /museum/act-apricot-pc
- /museum/act-apricot-xen
- /museum/act-apricot-xi
oc_id: 492
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230607222341/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=492
date: '2023-06-07'
---
This stylishly designed computer had a speech recognition feature along with a microphone clipped on the left side of the LCD screen.
An article published in Personal Computer World in November 1984 explained how the voice recognition system works :\
*"The voice system on the Portable allows you to have a vocabulary file of up to 4096 words. However, only 64 words can be held in RAM at any one time, so a fair amount of shuffling is necessary with large vocabularies.*\
*Before the system can understand your commands, it is necessary to create a vocabulary file and train the system to understand your voice. The Portable is supplied with a program which allows this to be done. The first thing to do is to create a vocabulary disk file. You can have as many of these as you like. The training program prompts for a name and then opens a diskfile underthat namewith a .VOC extension. Next you enter the words you want to use, along with an optional command which you want the machine to respond to. Once you have entered all the words, you can go into training mode. To do this you speak the words into the microphone and the program records the voice patterns. The more times you repeat each word the better the result.*\
*After you have trained all the words you can go on to see how well the machine understands you."*
The keyboard had no leads - it communicates with the main unit through infrared signals. But if you put an object in between the keyboard and the main unit, communication stops ! It was the same membrane keyboard as used with the Apricot F1.
There was also an optional and quite innovative trackball available, but a classic Microsoft mouse could also be used through the serial port. The Apricot Portable shipped with the 'Activity' front-end to the operating system, an enhanced version of the one delivered with the Apricot F1. It was quite "Mac" influenced with icon-based navigation and even a built-in icon editor !
The Apricot Portable was supplied with a great deal of bundled software : SuperWriter, SuperCalc, SuperPlanner, ACT Diary, ACT Sketch and an interactive tutorial.
The built-in disk-drive located at the right-hand side of the main unit was a Sony 3.5'' disk-drive, double-sided, 720k. ACT also supplied a little external 10 MB Rodime 3.5'' hard disk called an MSD (Mass Storage Device).
The large LCD was the first full 25-line liquid crystal screen to be mounted on a portable computer. It was made in Japan by Hitachi, but ACT wasn't happy with the controller, so it designed its own (very fast) display controller chip. It's possible to adjust the contrast by holding down the CTRL and UP-ARROW or DOWN-ARROW keys together, but the angle of the display is fixed and cannot be tilted.
But the Apricot Portable can also be connected to an external monitor and with the colour option, can display 640 x 256 pixels in eight colours from a palette of 16. In addition it is also possible to display data on both displays at the same time. For example, when using Supercalc 3 you could display the spreadsheet model on the LCD at the same time as displaying graphs or pie charts on the monitor ! The Apricot Portable could only be powered by mains power, there was no battery option available at all. Quite strange for a "portable" computer...\
The Apricot Portable did not meet with great success and was considered rather as a gadget, given its LCD screen and voice recognition features, but lacking real compatibility with other Apricot computers, in addition to its limited portability.
The price was cut down in 1985, and a new version with 512k RAM was sold. The 256k model was then called **FP-256**, and the 512k model **FP-512**.