Despite Amstrad Plc’s increasing interest in telecommunications,it has not abandoned its commitment to personal computers and at CeBit launched its first venture in Pentium-based machines and its latest 80486 models with Peripheral Component Interconnect. The Pentium boxes are called the 9555i series and there are three models: 75MHz, 90MHz and 100MHz. Amstrad reckons that the selection of configurations, with bundled software, for the 9555i series will make it highly competitive. All models come with 8Mb of memory, 256Kb cache, MS-DOS 6.2, Windows 3.11, Super VGA and Peripheral Component Interconnect bus to which are connected twin enhanced IDE interfaces as standard. This last feature enables users to attach up to four internal devices. Amstrad adds that the motherboard used has the 5 ZIF processor socket that will enable users to upgrade their Pentiums. These computers will ship this quarter in Europe. The 90486 personal computers are being launched by Amstrad Consumer Electronics and include an 80486DX4-based system; the division is calling the series PC9486i. All versions have two enhanced IDE interfaces connected to the 33MHz PCI bus, come with 4Mb RAM, 1Mb video RAM and a Super VGA controller. Entry level personal computers have been fitted with the 80486DX2 processor, running at 66MHz and costing รบ700; boxes based on the DX4 100 are the top of the range. The PC9486i series is shipping now.
