IBM Europe has launched its much-talked about clone subsidiary, ICPI, Individual Computer Products International Ltd. 100%-owned by IBM and reporting into the UK, ICPI kicked off with four new systems which will be marketed not with the IBM logo, but under the Ambra brand name. However, marketing looks to be a problem. ICPI says that […]
IBM Europe has launched its much-talked about clone subsidiary, ICPI, Individual Computer Products International Ltd. 100%-owned by IBM and reporting into the UK, ICPI kicked off with four new systems which will be marketed not with the IBM logo, but under the Ambra brand name. However, marketing looks to be a problem. ICPI says that the IBM name won’t be mentioned in any of its marketing, but how dealers will persuade users to part with UKP1,000 for nothing more than yet another IBM-clone – without mentioning IBM – remains a bit of a mystery. The systems – two desktops and two portables, none of which run under OS/2 – are based on 80386SX technology, but ICPI is coy on where the machines are designed and sourced. General manager Alan Willsher refuses to name the designer and will only say that the systems are being sourced in Germany, Taiwan, Malaysia and Scotland. Does this mean IBM’s personal systems plant in Greenock? Not as such, according to Willsher, but sources say that IBM’s long-term collaborator, SCI Systems Inc, located in nearby Irvine, may be involved. ICPI says that there are no IBM components in the new systems, although that may change. Willsher believes that current clone market is a bit of a jungle, with users intimidated by technology, and many vendors using bin-end technology. ICPI, on the other hand, will provide low prices and top quality. But since the company refuses to disclose the names of it suppliers, users are going to have to adopt a suck-it-and-see approach – having handed over the cash. ICPI has a direct sales channel and a network of dealers and retailers. Dealers will be supplied via Frontline Distribution Ltd, but potential users can call ICPI on an 0800 number and buy direct – although they won’t get a discount since only the dealers are invited to cut their margins. The systems have not been certified to run OS/2, and while Willsher says there is no technical hitch, he feels that the market demand isn’t there yet. All will have MS-DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1 pre-installed and the desktops use an Advanced Micro Devices’ Am86SX processor, the notebooks a 20MHz Intel 80386SL. Also included are 4Mb of memory (2Mb in the Treka notebooks), a monitor and keyboard, mouse and mouse pad, a 12 month on-site warranty and telephone hotline six days a week. The Sprinta desktop comes with 4Mb and 40Mb or 80Mb disk, and the Hurdla has an 80Mb or 160Mb disk with 16Kb cache. The Sprinta 40 VGA is UKP885, the Super VGA is UKP940, the Sprinta 80 VGA costs UKP1,000 and the Super VGA version is UKP1,010. The Hurdla VGA is either UKP1,010 or UKP1,160 for the 160Mb version, and the Super VGA version comes in at UKP1,065 or UKP1,215. The 80386SL Treka notebooks, running at 20MHz or 25MHz – have 2Mb, a 40Mb or 80Mb disk and the Treka Max has 64Kb cache. Both have VGA monitors, battery life of six hours and cost UKP1,250 and UKP1,450 respectively. An 80486 system will follow later this year. The French launch is on June 11 with Marseille-based Fida and Tekelec’s subsidiary, Tamco, appointed as distributors. It expects to have offices in Germany and Italy by fourth quarter. – Janice McGinn
