Apricot Xi

The Apricot Xi adapted the original Apricot PC into a hard-disk business system. It retained the compact case, high-resolution display architecture and distinctive Microscreen keyboard while replacing one floppy drive with an internal Winchester disk.

Five- and ten-megabyte versions were launched first, with larger drives following. The Xi gave Apricot customers faster, more practical storage while preserving software compatibility with the company’s earlier PC and the ACT Sirius environment.

Notable Features

• Combined one 3.5-inch floppy drive with an internal Winchester hard disk.
• Retained the keyboard LCD Microscreen and programmable touch keys of the Apricot PC.
• Available with several hard-disk capacities during its production life.

Historical Significance

• Extended the successful Apricot PC architecture into a more capable office workstation.
• Demonstrated how quickly 3.5-inch floppy and compact hard-disk storage were becoming practical in business micros.

Collector’s Notes

• Xi5, Xi10, Xi20 and Xi20s identify storage or memory configurations within the Xi family.
• Hard-disk health and the proprietary keyboard/monitor connections are important when assessing a system.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Apricot Xi
Manufacturer	Apricot Computers
Launched	Thursday, March 1, 1984
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Intel 8086 at 4.77 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	MS-DOS 2.11, CP/M-86 and ACT applications
I/O	RS-232, parallel, monitor and internal expansion
Keyboard	Detached keyboard with LCD Microscreen
Storage	One 3.5-inch floppy plus 5MB, 10MB or later 20MB hard disk
Sound	Internal speaker
Graphics	800 x 400 monochrome graphics
Display	External monochrome monitor; 80 x 25 text
ROM	System and keyboard firmware
RAM	256KB standard; later configurations up to 1MB
CPU Speed	4.77 MHz