ScuzzBlog: Diaries April 2026
Entry 7th May 2026: Post 1: Apricot Portable 1984 - Just out of reach.
Apricot Portable 1984 - Just out of reach.
On and or around the 28th April 2008, some 18 years ago, I was in
the throws of collating my latest acquisitions to the collection
and I received a sad message from the vet to say my cat had died.
I recall the event with some sadness. I remember moving the heavy
Apricot Portable to a shelf in the large room and for what ever
reason decided that that would be my last collected item. I wasn't
the case but it did draw to a close my era of frantic collecting of
all home computer models, which was my challenge.
Following that day I ceased my EBay activities and closed the 'to get'
folder. What I have acquired since has been very selective or gifts
and donations from fellow Amigans. I still acquire stuff, as I did
just with three kinda related items off EBay. But the endless cycle
of old computers arriving here almost every day ended that day.
Interestingly I began a journey on another quest that day which I still
partake of and that was World of Warcraft. A journey that has taken
me from Vanilla to TBC, Wrath of the LichKing, Cata, MoP, WoD, Legion,
Battle for Azeroth, Shadowlands, Dragonflight, War Within and now
Midnight. Trust me that's a lot of Warcraft hours.
The Apricot found its way onto the top of a large wardrobe in the
large room next to two Apple II machines. To the front of the
wardrobe are stacked a number of tubs and an Amiga 1200 Magic Pack.
To get the thing down is a major struggle as I need step ladders.
So when I was doing my feature last month on the Apricot I decided
the challenge was too great to get it down. As much as I would like
to test if she is still working, some items are a little risky and
vulnerable. None more so than my own fragile body these days. So
I decided to leave the Apricot up there. It always brings back very
sad memories anyway so I make do with some old pics.
Seriously this computer is hardly what you would call portable. I
could never have carried the thing about. The screen is very poor
and you would have needed very suitable lighting to view it. The
trend toward portable devices was certainly ahead of its time and
would take over another decade to attain suitable technology to
make it reasonable to use. Quite interesting styling and for all
its bad memories a good addition to the collection back then. It
marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. I myself
have quite a massive mile stone coming up this Saturday. But that
is another thing.
Anyhoo.. here is what I wrote before.
I know zero about this machine other than it has quite a robust
carrying case which preserves the computer quite well. The screen
and computer end is an odd triangular shape, I guess with the floppy
unit which is a SONY to one end. I assume the back panel can be
removed though I didn't try. The keyboard is operated by infra red.
The computer has voice recognition which is cool. The LCD was the
first 25 line liquid crystal to be mounted on a portable. Is all
still working though difficult with the camera to photograph these
screens as they need the light pointed straight at it.
That's all I know... One more portable for review.
The Apricot Portable made by ACT in the UK in 1984
Keyboard has 92 keys on a flat finger form which is very nice.
The CPU is an Intel 8086 running at 5 MHz
RAM is 256 Kb up to 1024 Kb ROM is 32 Kb
LCD display which is monochrome
Sound is basically just a beeper
Runs MS-DOS 2.11 and CP/M 86
Again these things were very expensive.
Apricot Portable 1984 - Just out of reach.
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