System Specifications

System Overview
Technical Highlights
Technical Specifications
Model Summary

Apricot reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice.

The information contained in these specifications was correct at the time of compilation.

System Overview

The LS Pro incorporates all the power and features needed for productive, high performance personal computing in the network environment - including Integrated Networking Architecture, high resolution graphics, security and Business Audio

The integrated design approach brings significant improvements in performance and reliability - with maximum control, security and simple configuration throughout the network. And, with no add-in cards needed to adapt the system for the new generation of desktop applications, it represents exceptional value.

Standard Specification

Even at the entry level, the range is based on 33MHz 486SLC processing with 4MB of exceptionally high speed memory, expandable to 16MB on the main board.

Systems can be specified with a broad range of disk options - from diskless workstations to ultra high performance 525MB IDE hard disk drives. High resolution display is a standard feature, supporting up to 1024 x 768 with 256 colours with accelerated video.

Network Connectivity

The LS Pro is ready to connect to virtually any industry standard network. Thin wire and UTP Ethernet connection is integrated onto the main board and Token Ring can be a factory specified option. There are also drivers to support every major network software system.

The Ethernet network interface is based on Apricot's unique Integrated Network Architecture (INA) technology, with a dedicated Ethernet co-processor mounted on the local processor bus. Compared with add-in Ethernet cards, this approach provides a 66% improvement in network throughput.

Security

The LS Pro includes Apricot LOC Technology security as standard.

This unique technology provides a high level of configurable control over desktop security - including infra-red access control, security management, screen blanking and encryption.

System Overview - Business Audio

The LS Pro is also ready to take advantage of the digital sound functions that are already a major feature of Windows applications.

The LS Pro's Business Audio system includes an analogue / digital converter, stereo input and output sockets and an internal speaker - all fully compatible with Windows 3.1 audio extensions.

Technical Highlights

Processing & Memory

33MHz 486SLC - internal cache

486 architecture at 386 prices, with high speed 1KB cache integrated within the chip to improve the flow of data to the processor.

4MB of high performance 60ns memory

Exceptionally fast memory response. With 4MB as standard, the LS Pro is fully equipped for the latest generation of memory hungry applications.

Expandable to 16MB on main board via standard SIMM sockets

On-board expanded memory is much faster than add-in cards - and the LS Pro accepts industry-standard SIMMs.

Apricot Integrated Network Architecture (INA)

Intel 596 Ethernet co-processor

Intelligent Ethernet interface off-loads network I/O tasks from the main processor - results in faster network response and better overall system performance.

Local bus integration

Ethernet interface has direct access to main processor and system memory (like a maths co-processor). The enormous bandwidth of the local bus allows the system to handle a high volume of transactions very quickly.

Thin wire and UTP Ethernet

Connects to any standard Ethernet cabling system. Token Ring card also available.

Industry standard drivers

Operates with every major network operating system. Certified for NetWare and Microsoft LAN Manager.

Ethernet RPL boot ROM standard, plus dedicated boot ROM socket

Remote boot is essential for diskless workstations. RPL allows connection to most major networks, including NetWare and LAN Manager.

Apricot LOC Technology

Infra red access control

Overcomes inherent limitations of password-only security, by using a physical token (infra red card) in conjunction with password and user ID.

Independent security subsystem

The security subsystem has its own processor, memory and real-time clock - so it can't be circumvented or tampered with via the main operating system.

Security management

LOC Technology can be individually configured for different users, with the ability to disable disk drives, network, audio or I/O ports selectively.

Screen blanking

Total protection for temporarily unattended machines, with a single click of the infra-red card button.

Encryption

Stores all data in a unique, encoded form - prevents unauthorised users from loading programs or removing data.

UKL1 approval

The UK Government's Computing and Security Group have officially confirmed that Apricot LOC Technology meets the demanding UKL1 standard.

Apricot Advanced Graphics

Highly integrated video logic - sub-micron design

Display functions integrated onto a single chipset, for superior graphics performance.

Video acceleration

Features integrated Cirrus Logic GD5426 graphics controller on VL local bus, for hardware acceleration - with enhanced drivers for all of the key software environments, including Windows, AutoCAD and Lotus 1-2-3.

1MB video RAM as standard

Opens up a wide range of high resolution standards, including 1024 x 768 with 256 colours.

Energy saving monitor

14" energy saving SVGA monitor. Consumes less than 30 watts when in powersave mode.

High resolution 14" and 17" monitors

Monitor options provide the quality and resolution to exploit the full potential of Apricot's advanced graphics - up to 1024 x 768 x 256 colours, VESA, MPRII low emissions compliant.

Trinitron tubes

Trinitron tube technology provides flicker and glare free flat screen imaging. Uses black screen for enhanced contrast, giving crisper, brighter colours.

Non-interlaced display

Provides flicker-free display.

Business Audio

Digital stereo sound

Accepts and replays stereo sound input from virtually any source - including external microphone, CD player or even personal stereo.

Microphone supplied as standard

Fully equipped for integrating voice messages into desktop applications. Independently switched for security.

Internal speaker and stereo output

Sound can be replayed on the desktop, or via headphones for privacy.

Compatible with Windows 3.1 audio extensions

Takes full advantage of sound function built into a growing range of Windows 3.1 applications.

Disk Drive Systems

On-board IDE interface

IDE is the most suitable controller standard for single drive computers. The controller is mounted onto the drive itself, for enhanced reliability and performance.

Diskless and single-floppy configurations

Low cost, high performance and maximum security for network users.

Range of hard disks up to 525MB

Very highly specified hard disk options including one of the fastest 525MB drives currently available - exceeds the performance of most file server drives.

250,000 hours MTBF

Drives specified to run for longer than your own working life without failure.

Quality

Manufactured in-house by Apricot

Board design and manufacture are carried out at Apricot's state-of-the-art UK surface mount facility, under the control of BS5750 quality systems.

Conforms to international RFI standards

Conforms to all international standards for radio frequency emissions - including FCC Class B and VCCI class 2.

VESA and MPR II standards

Monitors conform to VESA monitor timings standard and MPR II standards for radiated field emissions, meeting demanding EC and international Health and Safety regulations for screen emissions.

Software and ROM

*MS-DOS 6, Windows 3.1 or †Windows for Workgroups plus mouse

The world's most important desktop computing environment - pre-installed for ease of setup and configuration.

*Apricot LOC Technology software, plus infra-red card (optional)

All the software needed to enable and configure the onboard LOC Technology security system is available on request.

Graphical boot

System boot and setup presented in a mouse-driven, Windows-style graphical interface.

* UK mainland only † excludes models supplied with Token Ring

Apricot Technology

Apricot INA Networking

For most users, network response is a critical factor in overall system performance. In conventional PCs, however, networking connection is via an add-in AT card. With all network data transferred across the AT bus, this approach leads to a very slow network response.

Apricot regards networking as an essential feature of modern desktop computing. All Apricot network ready PCs have the Ethernet interface integrated on to the main board, allowing the user to plug straight into most industry standard networks without any extra costs.

Apricot's Integrated Network Architecture (INA) also provides a dramatic 66% improvement in system performance for network users. It's based on the Intel 596 - a high performance Ethernet co-processor designed originally for file server applications. Apricot is the first major PC manufacturing company to mount this intelligent network interface onto the main board.

The Intel 596 is connected to the local processor bus in the same way as a maths co-processor. It has direct access to the system memory and processor, using the enormous bandwidth of the local bus. The 596 takes over network I/O tasks from the main processor, storing and retrieving data directly from memory without any intervention from the CPU.

Since is doesn't have to wait for main processor resources to become available, the system can respond much faster to network I/O requests. And because it frees up more processor time for non-network tasks, it leads to better performance across the system as a whole. In a network-intensive situation - such as a diskless workstation, or shared database access - network tasks can take up as much as 50 - 60% of main processor time. Using Apricot INA, this figure is reduced to 5 - 10%.

Apricot LOC Technology

LOC Technology is the first PC security system to provide effective protection against data theft, fraud, illegal software copying and viruses. On its own, a password is inherently insecure: it leaves the system at the mercy of careless users and skilled hackers.

With the Apricot approach, access is controlled by special hardware integrated on the motherboard and requires both a password and a unique, infra-red signal - in the same way as a cash card machine uses a card and a unique PIN. This dual security control is supported by a sophisticated range of password and security management features. Individual devices can be selectively disabled for different users, and access can be restricted to pre-set log-on times.

LOC Technology is based on its own independent security system, with its own processor, battery power and memory. This means that intruders can't hack into password data from the main operating system - and unlike an add-in security card, it's proof against any attempts to break into the system unit and disconnect the security. LOC Technology, tested on Apricot Qi, has been certified to UKL1 by the UK Government's IT security and evaluation scheme.

Business Audio

Over the next few years, audio will have a major impact on business applications. It will make systems easier and faster to work with by delivering the power to add voice annotations to documents, for example. It was also open up a range of new applications in areas such as voice mail.

With Windows 3.1 established as a practical, working standard for audio, the first applications using sound have already begun to appear. The Apricot LS Pro is ready now for the new generation of audio-enhanced applications, with full support for all the audio extensions built into Windows 3.1

Its 12 bit ADC (analogue-digital converter) and 12 bit DAC (digital-analogue converter) will allow signals to be received from a wide range of sources - including an external microphone (supplied with the system). CD quality sound can be played back through an internal speaker, and there's a socket for external stereo speakers or headphones. As in a conventional hi-fi, the headphones connection cuts off the internal speaker - allowing office-based users to use audio-signals without disturbing their colleagues.

Technical Specifications

Model Summary

Apricot LS Pro 486SLC-33
Cyrix 486SLC, 33MHz
4MB RAM (max. 16MB)

Apricot INA on-board Ethernet interface
Thin wire and UTP Ethernet
Factory-fitted IBM Token Ring interface available

1.44MB floppy drive
One IDE hard disk drive (170, 240, 525MB)

Apricot Advanced Graphics
Maximum resolution 1024 x 768 (max. 256 colours)
Maximum 16.8m colours (at 640 x 480 resolution)
Acceleration via GD5426 video controller

Apricot Business Audio
(Windows 3.1 compatible wave form audio,
internal speaker, stereo input and output)

Microphone

Dual channel serial port, parallel port and
PS/2 compatible mouse port

Mouse and 102 key PS/2 keyboard

*Inclusive software:
Windows for Workgroups, MS-DOS 6.0

*Optional LOC Technology software pack
including infra-red card

* UK mainland only