Amstrad Plc yesterday launched its top-end Generation 3 line of professional personal computers with the PC3086, 3286 and 3386SX, and as expected, is using metal cases for the first time. The machines are being launched in all Amstrad’s major European markets, and the bulk of the manufacturing is being done by GEC Plessey Telecommunications Ltd in Kircaldy using VLSI support chips and surface-mounting. The housings are designed to take combinations of 3.5 and 5.25 disks and streamers and GEC Plc is being called in to help with a new next-day on-site warranty maintenance. The PC1000 and PC2000 lines will continue to be actively marketed, so that if users want a full 80386 machine, they will get the PC2386 – there are no plans to add a PC3386. The PC3086 with 8MHz 8086, 640Kb, mono screen and 720Kb or 360Kb floppy is UKP550; the PC3286 with 16MHz 80286, 1Mb, floppy and 28mS access 40Mb disk and colour is UKP1,100 and the 20MHz PC3386SX with 1Mb, 40Mb disk and high resolution colour display is UKP1,600. Ships start this month.
