Orb Micro Advert - March 1984
From Personal Computer World
The ORB Microcomputer from ABS Computers
Possibly the funkiest-looking microcomputer ever built, the Orb from ABS Computers of Brighton came in one of eight possible colours, including orange which, according to Personal Computer News, made it look twice as hideous.
Each Orb contained an Intel iAPX 186 processor, 256K RAM, one parallel and eight serial ports. It was a multi-user system which ran MP/M-86 and could support up to six users.
The Orb's processor was otherwise known as the 80186 and wasn't especially popular with micro manufacturers as it wasn't compatible with the "standard" set of support chips which had grown up around the 8086 and its derivatives.
It retailed for £5,950, which is about £25,100 in 2025. The high-end ACT Sirius 1 that's also featured in the advert retailed at £2,395 in 1982, or about £11,400 in 2025, and was available to lease from £12.00 per week (£50). The golf-ball-shaped ORB cost just over twice that, or £25 per week, to rent.
The advert itself is for the re-seller Digital Solutions - a business whose logo font is distinctly similar to the entirely unrelated Digital Group.
Date created: 12 October 2014
Last updated: 28 March 2025
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