Xen-i 286

While Apricot were developing the Xen, a second project was under way to develop the Xen-i.  This was a fully IBM-compatible version of the Xen using the Phoenix BIOS.  This project was kept highly confidential to avoid damaging sales of the Xen itself.

The Xen-i had a new motherboard, and internal PSU and would have a 5.25" floppy drive in place of Apricot's now iconic 3.5" drives.  This was needed to reflect the reality that all IBM clones were still using 5.25".  Apricot subsequently switched back to 3.5" drives as IBM themselves switched with the introduction of the PS/2 range of machines.

The keyboard would be subtly different to better match IBM's 102 key standard layout, and the proprietary connectors such as that used for the keyboard would be replaced by industry standard alternatives.

ISA expansion slots replaced the proprietary Apricot slots that had been used in the PC/Xi and Xen models. ISA cards were physically larger and would not fit vertically in the case, so the cards had to be installed in a horizontal frame inside the case - plugged into a vertical daughterboard.

To allow full-sized ISA cards to be used, an external box (Called 'XPi') could be mounted to the side of the case - adding a further three ISA sockets.

Later in the product's life, the Xen-i would be renamed Xen-i 286 to distinguish it from the new Xen-i 386 models.

CPU

Intel 80286 @ 10MHz

Video

MDA onboard graphics

RAM

1Mb upgradeable to 2Mb

Storage

3.5" Floppy drive

20Mb or 45Mb Hard disk

External Ports

RS232

Parallel Printer - Centronics

PCAT Keyboard Socket

Internal Expansion

3 x Half length ISA slots

80287 Maths co-processor socket

External Expansion

XPi Box containing 3 x full-length ISA slots

External 5.25" Floppy Drive

The case plastic would largely remain unchanged from the Xen - there was no longer a need for a hatch on the top for access to the old expansion bay, so the case was changed to seal the access hatch while retaining the panel markings that now became entirely cosmetic.

The launch of the Xen-i was met with a degree of consternation from the dealer network - particularly the adoption of the 5.25" internal disk drive, which was felt by some to be a reversal in direction by Apricot after dealers had put a great deal of effort into selling the benefits of the 3.5" format.   (I was personally at the dealer briefing event held at a marquee in the grounds of the Apricot executive offices, and things got a bit heated!)

The custom-designed monitors shipped with the Xen were replaced with different models which had bases that no longer fit the limited space offered by the two-level design of the case plastics.  Apricot opted to include a plastic 'shelf' that sat on the front half of the case to provide a level surface.

To make the machine fully IBM compatible, Apricot changed the model of 3.5" floppy drive - you can always distinguish a Xen from a Xen-i because the eject button moved from the right to the middle of the drive fascia.

The Xen-i 286 was released with two motherboard designs codenamed 'Squirrel' and 'Cheetah'. Cheetah was the first Apricot board to use surface-mount components.

Product Code 'XI'  (Squirrel motherboard) in 32 different SKU's

Product Code 'XK' (Cheetah motherboard) in 5 different SKU's

• XI3882  - 20Mb Disk and 5.25" Floppy drive
• XI6949  - 20Mb Disk and 3.5" Floppy drive
• XI6950  - 45Mb Disk and 3.5" Floppy drive
• XI6951  - 45Mb Disk and 5.25" Floppy Drive

Apricot later released a revised Xen-i range under the PC/S (Personal Computer System) brand - a range specifically designed as low cost network clients.

• Xen-i 386 - 1Mb RAM and Twin floppy drive, Green Screen @ £1,599
• Xen-i 286/30 - 1Mb RAM, 30Mb Hard Disk, Green Mono screen @ £1,999
• Xen-i 386/45 - 1Mb RAM, 45Mb Hard Disk, Green Mono screen @ £2,999
• VX WS - 1Mb RAM, Diskless @ £1,199
• VX AWS - 1Mb RAM, Single Floppy Drive (3.5" or 5.25" available) @ £1,499