Apricot F1e

The Apricot F1e was the economy member of the F-series, created for education and price-sensitive users. It used the same compact enclosure and infrared peripheral system as the F1 but initially reduced memory and fitted a single-sided floppy drive.

Apricot later increased the standard memory while cutting the price, yet the model sold in comparatively small numbers. It remains a distinct illustration of the company’s attempt to challenge established educational computers with a 16-bit platform.

Notable Features

• Lower-cost F1 variant with a single-sided 3.5-inch floppy drive.
• Shared the F1’s colour graphics and infrared keyboard interface.
• Later production increased RAM from 128KB to 256KB.

Historical Significance

• Targeted schools and lower-cost installations with a full 8086 architecture.
• Reportedly sold in much smaller numbers than the standard F1.

Collector’s Notes

• Check whether an example has the original 128KB configuration or the later 256KB upgrade.
• F1e badges, matching infrared keyboard and original educational software add historical value.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Apricot F1e
Manufacturer	Apricot Computers
Launched	Friday, June 1, 1984
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Intel 8086 at 4.77 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	MS-DOS with Activity and bundled applications
I/O	RS-232, Centronics parallel, RGB, composite and expansion connector
Keyboard	Infrared keyboard; optional infrared trackball
Storage	One approximately 360KB single-sided 3.5-inch floppy drive
Sound	Internal speaker
Graphics	Colour graphics up to 640 x 256 depending on mode
Display	External RGB or composite monitor
ROM	F-series firmware
RAM	128KB initially; later 256KB; expandable
CPU Speed	4.77 MHz