Classic Tech

Company Profile: Burroughs Corp.

mnadeau — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:34:10 +0000

During the mainframe era, Burroughs was one of the “seven dwarfs,” a term applied to the seven major vendors that were not IBM. Like fellow dwarfs Honeywell, Sperry/UNIVAC, and NCR, Burroughs entered the microcomputer market in the early 1980s after IBM introduced the PC. The company merged with Sperry in 1986 and became Unisys, which is still in business today.

The Burroughs microcomputer was the B20 series, introduced in 1982. It was a multi-user system that used BTOS, an operating system licensed from Convergent Technologies. Burroughs referred to it as a “distributed intelligence system.” There were to models in the B20 series: the B21 and the B22. The B21 had an unusual form factor where the monitor and CPU unit sat side-by-side on a shared base. The CPU unit was similar in shape and size to the monitor. The B22 added a tower unit that housed storage.

The B21 came in four configurations: B21-1, B21-3, B21-4, and B21-5. (I have no idea why there is no B21-2.) Only the latter two configurations could function as standalone systems; the other two served only as terminals for a multi-user setup.

Burroughs B21

Burroughs B21 (1982, multi-user system)
Base Configuration: 5MHz 8086 CPU, 256K RAM (512K max), 5MB hard drive, 5.25-inch floppy drive, parallel and 3 serial ports, monochrome monitor, BTOS
Video: 80 characters x 28 lines
Users Supported: up to 16
Size and Weight: 13.75h x 30w x 12d inches
Important Options: 8.4MB hard drive

Burroughs B22

Burroughs B22 (1982, multi-user system)
Base Configuration: 5MHz 8086 CPU, 256K RAM (640K max), 10MB hard drive, 5.25-inch floppy drive, parallel and 3 serial ports, 2 Multibus slots, 15-inch monochrome monitor, BTOS
Video: 80 characters x 28 lines
Users Supported: up to 16
Size and Weight: 13.75h x 30w x 12d inches (base workstation), 50 lbs.; 26h x 8.46w x 20.87d inches, 85 lbs.
Important Options: 20MB hard drive

Company Profile: Blue Chip Electronics (Chandler, Ariz.)

mnadeau — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:04:05 +0000

Founded in 1982 by Commodore’s former European sales manager John Rossi, Blue Chip started as an export manufacturer of peripherals, mainly for Commodore systems. The company entered the PC market in 1986 with the Blue Chip Personal Computer, which was made by Hyundai.

In 1987, the company began selling the PC Popular, a relabeled Hyundai PC XT clone sold as the Super-16 under the Hyundai brand. The PC Popular was a low-cost system that came bundled with software designed “to allow the new PC owner to be instantly productive.”

Blue Chip Electronics Personal Computer

Blue Chip Personal Computer (1986, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $699
Base Configuration: 4.77MHz 8088 CPU, 512K RAM (640K max), 5.25-inch floppy drive, 6 expansion slots, serial and parallel ports, keyboard, MS-DOS 2.1
Video: 720 x 350 pixels
Important Options: 8087 FPU, monochrome or color monitor

Blue Chip Electronics PC Popular

Blue Chip Electronics PC Popular (1987, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $549
Base Configuration: 4.88/8MHz 8088-2 CPU, 512K RAM (640K max), 5.25-inch floppy drive, parallel and serial ports, 2 expansion slots, AT-style keyboard, mouse, MS-DOS 3.2
Video: CGA, Hercules
Important Options: second floppy drive, monochrome or color monitor, modem, multifunction card

Company Profile: Billings Computer Corp. (Independence, Missouri)

mnadeau — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:24:57 +0000

Billings made high-end microcomputers for business based on the Z80 processor. There were three main series: the BC-12FD at the low end, the System 500 at the mid-range, and the 6000 Series at the high end. The company saw some success abroad, claiming it made one of every four computers sold in Norway for 1981.

The company also sold a suite of business applications and a line of peripherals under its own brand. For the 6000 series, the optional tape drive, floppy drives, hard drive, and modem came in cases similar to the one that housed the CPU. They were meant to be stacked, so a fully optioned system would be about 4 feet high.

Billings BC-12FD

Billings BC-12FD (microcomputer)
Base Configuration: Z80 CPU, 64K RAM, 2 5.25-inch floppy disk drives, built in monochrome monitor, integrated 94-key keyboard
Video: 80 characters x 24 lines
Important Options: P-110, P-510, and P-710 printers

Billings System 500 CPU (microcomputer)
Base Configuration: Z80 CPU, 64K RAM, keyboard, monochrome monitor
Video: 80 characters x 24 lines
Important Options: P-110, P-510, and P-710 printers

Billings System 500 CPU-I (microcomputer)
Base Configuration: Z80 CPU, 64K RAM, 5.25-inch floppy drive, keyboard, monochrome monitor
Video: 80 characters x 24 lines
Important Options: P-110, P-510, and P-710 printers

Billings System 500 CPU-II (microcomputer)
Base Configuration: Z80 CPU, 64K RAM, 2 5.25-inch floppy drives, keyboard, monochrome monitor
Video: 80 characters x 24 lines
Important Options: P-110, P-510, and P-710 printers

Fully optioned Billings 6000 Series

Billings 6000 CPU (1983, microcomputer)
Base Configuration: 4MHz Z80A CPU, 64K RAM, 8 expansion slots, keyboard
Video: 80 characters x 24 lines
Important Options: monochrome or color monitor; 6000 Flexible Disk expansion unit; 6000 Tape expansion unit; 30MB or 61MB 6000 Winchester expansion unit; 6000 Modem expansion unit; P-110, P-510, and P-710; printers

Billings 6000 CPU-I (1983, microcomputer)
Base Configuration: 4MHz Z80A CPU, 64K RAM, 5.25-inch floppy drive, 8 expansion slots, keyboard
Video: 80 characters x 24 lines
Important Options: monochrome or color monitor; 6000 Flexible Disk expansion unit; 6000 Tape expansion unit; 30MB or 61MB 6000 Winchester expansion unit; 6000 Modem expansion unit; P-110, P-510, and P-710; printers

Billings 6000 CPU-II (1983, microcomputer)
Base Configuration: 4MHz Z80A CPU, 64K RAM, 2 5.25-inch floppy drives, 8 expansion slots, keyboard
Video: 80 characters x 24 lines
Important Options: monochrome or color monitor; 6000 Flexible Disk expansion unit; 6000 Tape expansion unit; 30MB or 61MB 6000 Winchester expansion unit; 6000 Modem expansion unit; P-110, P-510, and P-710; printers

Company Profile: Beltron Computer (Los Angeles, Calif.)

mnadeau — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:34:21 +0000

Beltron sold assembled, low-cost PC-compatible desktop and portable starting in 1983. It operated its own chain of retail outlets and distribution centers, and for awhile was reasonably successful.

Beltron LCD-88 (portable PC)
Base Configuration: 4.77MHz 8088 or 8088-2 CPU, 256K RAM (640K max), 2 5.25-inch floppy drives, backlit LCD, 6 expansion slots, detachable 86-key keyboard, 150W power supply
Video: 640 x 200 pixels, 80 characters x 25 lines
Size and Weight: 15.75w x 9.45h x 8.15d inches, 22 lbs.
Important Options: hard disk drive

Beltron LCD-286

Beltron LCD-286 (portable PC)
Base Configuration: 6/8MHz 80286 CPU, 2 5.25-inch floppy drives, backlit LCD, 6 expansion slots, detachable 86-key keyboard, 150W power supply
Video: 640 x 200 pixels, 80 characters x 25 lines
Size and Weight: 15.75w x 9.45h x 8.15d inches, 22 lbs.
Important Options: hard disk drive

Beltron LCD-386 (portable PC)
Base Configuration: 10/12MHz 80386 CPU, 2 5.25-inch floppy drives, backlit LCD, 6 expansion slots, detachable 86-key keyboard, 150W power supply
Video: 640 x 200 pixels, 80 characters x 25 lines
Size and Weight: 15.75w x 9.45h x 8.15d inches, 22 lbs.
Important Options: hard disk drive

Beltron Professional 8088 (July 1987, portable PC)
Original Retail Price: $1,525
Base Configuration: 4.77/8MHz 8088 CPU, 2 5.25-inch floppy drives, supertwist backlit LCD, 5 expansion slots
Size and Weight: 17 lbs.
Important Options: 40MB hard drive

Beltron Professional 80286 (July 1987, portable PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,150
Base Configuration: 80286 CPU, 2 5.25-inch floppy drives, supertwist backlit LCD, 5 expansion slots
Size and Weight: 17 lbs.
Important Options: 40MB hard drive

Beltron Professional 80386 (July 1987, portable PC)
Base Configuration: 80386 CPU, 2 5.25-inch floppy drives, supertwist backlit LCD, 5 expansion slots
Size and Weight: 17 lbs.
Important Options: 40MB hard drive

Company Profile: Barrington International Corp. (Ann Arbor, Mich.)

mnadeau — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:15:08 +0000

The Barrington E’Lite was one of many CP/M systems aimed at small business in the early 1980s. Originally launched as a single-user system, the E’Lite was upgraded to a multi-user system a few months later.

Barrington E'Lite

Barrington E’Lite (1982, desktop microcomputer)
Original Retail Price: $7,999
Base Configuration: 6MHz Z80B CPU, 64K RAM, 10MB hard drive, internal 10MB tape drive, CP/M, Condor database

Company Profile: Barreto & Assoc. (Sedalia, Missouri)

mnadeau — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:02:57 +0000

The Barreto MicroMaster’s most distinguishing feature is its three microprocessors: 8085 and 8088 CPUs share the main processing duties while a Z80 manages the keyboard and monitor. The MicroMaster is an S-100 bus system that runs CP/M. With the optional MP/M operating system, the MicroMaster functions as a multi-user system.

Barreto MicroMaster

Barreto MicroMaster (1982, desktop microcomputer)
Original List Price: $12,500
Base Configuration: 8085, 8088, and Z80 CPUs; 64K RAM (16MB max); 5MB hard drive; 5.25-inch floppy drive; integrated monochrome monitor; serial and parallel ports; integrated keyboard; CP/M; BASIC or Fortran
Video: 80 characters x 24 lines
Important Options: terminal, MP/M, expansion chassis, color monitor, COBOL

Company Profile: Astrovision Inc. (Columbus, OH)

mnadeau — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:59:45 +0000

Astrovision was formed in 1980 to produce game consoles. The company obtained the rights to produce the Bally Professional Arcade under its own brand from Bally Manufacturing. In 1981, sales were $10 million.

One of the more interesting options for the Astro Arcade (also referred to as Astrocade) is the ZGRASS-32 personal computer module, which allowed the system to perform as a microcomputer. Astrovision claimed more than 60 game cartridges for the Astro Arcade by 1982.

Astrovision Astro Professional Arcade

Astrovision Astro Professional Arcade (1980, game console)
Original Retail Price: $299
Base Configuration: Z80 CPU

Company Profile: AST Research Inc. (Irvine, Calif.)

mnadeau — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:39:47 +0000

Originally a manufacturer of microcomputer add-ons, AST Research was founded in 1980 by three friends, Albert Wong, Safi Qureshey and Thomas Yuen. The A, S, and T in the company name are the first initials of the founders’ first names.

In the 1990s, AST Research was one of the high-fliers among PC makers. Its notebook and desktop PC lines were among the best-selling models, and it had a thriving PC add-on business. It also produced and sold its own brand of laser printers. Total sales for FY1991 were nearly $700 million.

By the end of the decade, however, sales declined and the company was sold to Samsung in 1996, and it was rebranded AST Computers. Then in 1999 Packard Bell bought the company’s assets. The last AST-branded computer was sold a couple of years later.

The AST Premium/286 came in five configurations, depending on memory, storage, and graphics options: Model 80, Model 90, Model 120, Model 140, Model 170.

AST Research AST Premium/286 (January 1987, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $1,995 to $3,995
Base Configuration: 10MHz 80286 CPU, MS-DOS 3.1,7 ISA slots, 512K RAM (13MB max), 3.5-inch floppy drive, keyboard/keypad, RS-232C and parallel ports, diagnostics and utilities disks, software manuals
Video: CGA, EGA, MDA, and Hercules
Size/Weight: 19.25 x 6.25 x 16.5 inches
Important Options: 20MB to 70MB hard disk drive, tape backup, 14-inch color monitor

AST Research AST Premium SE 4/33
Base Configuration: 33MHz 80486 CPU, 80387 FPU, 8MB RAM, 3.5-inch floppy drive, 10 EISA expansion slots, parallel and 2 serial ports, SCSI adapter, Ethernet and Token Ring adapters, 102-key keyboard, 300W power supply
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 26h x 19d x 15w inches
Important Options: 330MB to 1GB hard drive, 14-inch AST Super VGA color or AST Mono VGA monochrome monitor

AST Premium 486/33E

AST Research AST Premium 486/33E (1990, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $5,795
Base Configuration: 33MHz 80486 CPU, 4MB RAM, 5.25-inch floppy drive, parallel and 2 serial ports, 102-key keyboard, 7 EISA expansion slots, IDE controller, 220W power supply
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 19.25w inches
Important Options: 80MB, 110MB, 210MB, 320MB, or 330MB hard drive; SCSI controller, ESDI adapter, MS-DOS 5.0, OS/2 1.21

AST Research AST Premium 386/33TE (1990, server)
Original Retail Price: $6,495
Base Configuration: 33MHz 80386 CPU, 8MB RAM (16MB max), 5.25-inch floppy drive, parallel and 2 serial ports, 102-key keyboard, 10 EISA expansion slots, SCSI controller, 300W power supply
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 24.25h x 17.9d x 14w inches
Important Options: 110MB, 210MB, 330MB, or 660MB hard drive; MS-DOS 5.0; OS/2 1.21

AST Research AST Premium 486/33TE (1990, server)
Original Retail Price: $9,495
Base Configuration: 33MHz 80486 CPU, 8MB RAM (16MB max), 5.25-inch floppy drive, parallel and 2 serial ports, 102-key keyboard, 10 EISA expansion slots, SCSI controller, 300W power supply
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 24.25h x 17.9d x 14w inches
Important Options: 110MB, 210MB, 330MB, 660MB, or 1GB hard drive; MS-DOS 5.0; OS/2 1.21

AST Research AST Premium II 386/25 (1990, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,195
Base Configuration: 25MHz 80386 CPU; 2MB RAM (16MB max); 3.5-inch floppy drive; IDE controller; parallel and 2 serial ports; 3 32-bit and, 2 16-bit, and 1 8-bit expansion slots; 3 drive bays, 102-key keyboard, 145W power supply
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 15.25w inches
Important Options: 40MB, 80MB, 110MB, or 210MB hard drive; MS-DOS 5.0; OS/2 1.21

AST Research AST Premium II 386/33 (1990, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,795
Base Configuration: 33MHz 80386 CPU; 4MB RAM (16MB max); 3.5-inch floppy drive; IDE controller; parallel and 2 serial ports; 3 32-bit and, 2 16-bit, and 1 8-bit expansion slots; 3 drive bays, 102-key keyboard, 145W power supply
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 15.25w inches
Important Options: 40MB, 80MB, 110MB, or 210MB hard drive; MS-DOS 5.0; OS/2 1.21

AST Research AST Premium II 486SX/20 (1990, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,995
Base Configuration: 20MHz 80486SX CPU; 4MB RAM (16MB max); 3.5-inch floppy drive; IDE controller; parallel and 2 serial ports; 3 32-bit and, 2 16-bit, and 1 8-bit expansion slots; 3 drive bays, 102-key keyboard, 145W power supply
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 15.25w inches
Important Options: 40MB, 80MB, 110MB, or 210MB hard drive; MS-DOS 5.0; OS/2 1.21

AST Research AST Premium II 486/33 (1990, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $4,495
Base Configuration: 33MHz 80486 CPU; 4MB RAM (16MB max); 3.5-inch floppy drive; IDE controller; parallel and 2 serial ports; 3 32-bit and, 2 16-bit, and 1 8-bit expansion slots; 3 drive bays, 102-key keyboard, 145W power supply
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 15.25w inches
Important Options: 40MB, 80MB, 110MB, or 210MB hard drive; MS-DOS 5.0; OS/2 1.21

AST Research AST Premium II 386SX/20 (1990, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $1,595
Base Configuration: 20MHz 80386SX CPU; 2MB RAM (16MB max); 3.5-inch floppy drive; IDE controller; parallel and 2 serial ports; 3 32-bit and, 2 16-bit, and 1 8-bit expansion slots; 3 drive bays, 102-key keyboard, 145W power supply
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 15.25w inches
Important Options: 40MB, 80MB, 110MB, or 210MB hard drive; MS-DOS 5.0; OS/2 1.21

AST Research Bravo 286/16 (1989, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $1,095
Base Configuration: 16MHz 80286 CPU, 1MB RAM (16MB max), 3.5-inch floppy drive, serial and 2 parallel ports, IDE controller, 5 16-bit expansion slots, 145W power supply, MS-DOS 5.0
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 15.25w inches
Important Options: 40MB, 80MB, 110MB, or 210MB hard drive, 80386SX/20 CPU upgrade, OS/2 1.21

AST Research Bravo 386SX/20 (1989, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $1,999
Base Configuration: 20MHz 80386SX CPU, 2MB RAM (16MB max), 3.5-inch floppy drive, serial and 2 parallel ports, IDE controller, 5 16-bit expansion slots, 145W power supply, MS-DOS 5.0
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 15.25w inches
Important Options: 40MB, 80MB, 110MB, or 210MB hard drive, OS/2 1.21

AST Research Bravo 486/25 (1990, desktop PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,995
Base Configuration: 25MHz 80486 CPU, 80387 FPU, 2MB RAM (16MB max), 3.5-inch floppy drive, serial and 2 parallel ports, IDE controller, 5 16-bit expansion slots, 145W power supply, MS-DOS 5.0
Video: Super VGA
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 15.25w inches
Important Options: 80MB, 110MB, or 210MB hard drive, OS/2 1.21

AST Medallion CAD Series (1991, CAD workstation)
Original Retail Price: $8,995
Base Configuration: 33MHz 80486 CPU, 80387 FPU, 8MB RAM (16MB max), 120MB hard drive, 3.5-inch floppy drive, parallel and 2 serial ports, 5 16-bit ISA expansion slots, 102-key keyboard, CalComp DrawingCard graphics engine, CalComp 20-inch color monitor, CalComp 33120 Drawingboard II digitizer pad, Drawing Manager, MS-DOS 3.3
Video: Super VGA, 1280 x 1024 pixels, 256 colors
Size/Weight: 6.25h x 16.5d x 15.25w
Important Options: 40MB, 80MB, or 210MB hard drive

AST Research AST Premium Exec 386SX/20 (~1991, notebook PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,395
Base Configuration: 20MHz 80386SX CPU, 2MB RAM (8MB max), 40MB hard drive, 3.5-inch floppy drive, serial and parallel ports, expansion slot, monochrome monitor, 82-key keyboard, MS-DOS 5.0, NiCad battery, carrying case
Video: VGA CCFT, 32 shades of grey
Size/Weight: 2.25h x 9d x 11.4w inches, 7 lbs.
Important Options: 60MB or 80MB hard drive, keypad, 2400 or 9600 bps modem

AST Research AST Premium Exec 386SX/25 (~1991, notebook PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,995
Base Configuration: 25MHz 80386SX CPU, 4MB RAM (8MB max), 60MB hard drive, 3.5-inch floppy drive, serial and parallel ports, expansion slot, monochrome monitor, 82-key keyboard, MS-DOS 5.0, NiCad battery, carrying case
Video: VGA CCFT, 32 shades of grey
Size/Weight: 2.25h x 9d x 11.4w inches, 7 lbs.
Important Options: 80MB hard drive, keypad, 2400 or 9600 bps modem

AST Research AST Premium Exec 386SX/25C (~1991, notebook PC)
Original Retail Price: $4,995
Base Configuration: 25MHz 80386SX CPU, 4MB RAM (8MB max), 60MB hard drive, 3.5-inch floppy drive, serial and parallel ports, expansion slot, passive matrix color monitor, 82-key keyboard, MS-DOS 5.0, NiCad battery, carrying case
Video: VGA CCFT, 16 colors at 640 x 480 pixels, 256 colors at 320 x 200 pixels
Size/Weight: 2.3h x 9d x 11.4w inches, 7 lbs.
Important Options: 80MB hard drive, keypad, 2400 or 9600 bps modem

Company Profile: Aspen Computer Inc. (Buffalo, NY)

mnadeau — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:40:23 +0000

Aspen was known primarily as a seller of PC-compatible notebook computers. It is likely that Aspen systems were rebranded OEM systems. Other the horrible naming of the Aspentium model, Aspen’s systems were unremarkable.

Aspen Computer Universa E SX-25 (June 1993, notebook PC)
Original Retail Price: $1,905
Base Configuration: 25MHz 80486SX CPU, 4MB RAM (36MB max), 1MB VRAM, 3.5-inch floppy drive, 250MB hard drive, serial and parallel ports, keyboard port, Type IV PCMCIA slot, 9.5-inch monochrome display, integrated 86-key keyboard and trackball, carrying case, NiMH battery, MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1
Video: 640 x 480 pixels, 64 levels of grey
Size/Weight: 11w x 8.7d x 2h inches, 6.6 lbs.
Important Options: 340MB or 520MB hard drive, keypad, docking station

Aspen Computer Universa E DX-33 (June 1993, notebook PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,105
Base Configuration: 33MHz 80486 CPU, 4MB RAM (36MB max), 1MB VRAM, 3.5-inch floppy drive, 250MB hard drive, serial and parallel ports, keyboard port, Type IV PCMCIA slot, 9.5-inch monochrome display, integrated 86-key keyboard and trackball, carrying case, NiMH battery, MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1
Video: 640 x 480 pixels, 64 levels of grey
Size/Weight: 11w x 8.7d x 2h inches, 6.6 lbs.
Important Options: 340MB or 520MB hard drive, keypad, docking station

Aspen Computer Universa E DX2-66 (June 1993, notebook PC)
Original Retail Price: $2,355
Base Configuration: 66MHz 80486 CPU, 4MB RAM (36MB max), 1MB VRAM, 3.5-inch floppy drive, 250MB hard drive, serial and parallel ports, keyboard port, Type IV PCMCIA slot, 9.5-inch monochrome display, integrated 86-key keyboard and trackball, carrying case, NiMH battery, MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1
Video: 640 x 480 pixels, 64 levels of grey
Size/Weight: 11w x 8.7d x 2h inches, 6.6 lbs.
Important Options: 340MB or 520MB hard drive, keypad, docking station

Aspen Computer Universa E DX4-100 (June 1993, notebook PC)
Original Retail Price: $3,230
Base Configuration: 100MHz 80486 CPU, 4MB RAM (36MB max), 1MB VRAM, 3.5-inch floppy drive, 250MB hard drive, serial and parallel ports, keyboard port, Type IV PCMCIA slot, 9.5-inch active color display, integrated 86-key keyboard and trackball, carrying case, NiMH battery, MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1
Video: 640 x 480 pixels, 256 colors
Size/Weight: 11w x 8.7d x 2h inches, 6.6 lbs.
Important Options: 340MB or 520MB hard drive, keypad, docking station

Aspen Computer Aspentium notebook PC

Aspen Computer Aspentium (June 1993, notebook PC)
Original Retail Price: $3,695
Base Configuration: 60MHz Pentium CPU, 8MB RAM (40MB max), 1MB VRAM, 250MB hard drive, serial and parallel ports, keyboard port, Type II and Type III PCMCIA slots, 9.5-inch color display, integrated keyboard and trackball, carrying case, NiMH battery, MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1
Video: 1280 x 1024 pixels, 16 colors
Size/Weight: 11.1w x 10.3d x 2.6h inches, 8.2 lbs.
Important Options: 66MHz Pentium CPU, 340MB or 520MB hard drive, active-matrix color display, PCMCIA fax modem, Ethernet LAN, keypad, docking station

Company Profile: Asia Commercial Co. (ACC)., Ltd. (Hong Kong)

mnadeau — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:21:39 +0000

Asia Commercial Co. built computers for other companies to sell under their own brands. However, the company appears to have sold the ACC 8000 directly to consumers. It was on unusual system, with three different CPUs and able to run a wide range of software, including software for the Apple II. A unique feature is that the keypad is placed at an angle.

The ACC Louise was an IBM PC-compatible desktop that was also able to run CP/M thanks to a Z80 coprocessor. It featured a flip-top case, which made it easy to get to the system components, and an infrared keyboard. The Louise was offered as an OEM system, and it is not clear if ACC sold it under its own brand.

Asia Commercial Co. ACC 8000

Asia Commercial Co. ACC 8000 (~1983, desktop microcomputer/Apple II clone)
Base Configuration: 6502, Z80A, and 6809 CPUs; CP/M 3.0, FLEX, OS-9, and AppleDOS; 128K RAM (256K max) and 4K ROM; two 5.25-inch floppy drives; keyboard/keypad; RS-232C, RS-422, and parallel ports
Video: 24-line x 80-character text
Important Options: 5MB to 30MB hard disk drive, DM-01 monitor, DP-80 printer

Asia Commercial Co. ACC Louise

Asia Commercial Co. ACC Louise (~1983, desktop PC)
Base Configuration: 4.77MHz 8086 and 4MHz Z80A CPUs, 128K RAM (1MB max), 2 5.25-inch floppy drives, parallel and 2 serial ports, 4 IBM PC expansion slots, wireless 103-key keyboard, LCD display for calendar and status, 102W power supply, MS-DOS 2.11, CP/M 3.0
Video: 640 x 200 pixels, 8 colors
Important Options: 8087 FPU, hard drive, mouse, Concurrent CP/M-86, LAN