AST Premium 286
I have the main unit, mouse and keyboard.
type computer
country USA
year 1987
os MS DOS 3.2 / MS Windows 3.0
cpu Intel 286
speed 4/8/10 MHz
ram 4MB
disk 3.5″ 1,4 MB / 5.25″ 1.5 MB
hd 33 MB
graphic 640×480
colors 16
sound peep
ports centronigs, RS323, EGA/VGA
The AST Premium 286 — The Award-Winning Business Desktop
The AST Premium/286 was one of the most celebrated IBM PC-compatible desktop computers of the late 1980s, winning multiple industry awards and earning a reputation as the benchmark for 286-class business computing. Launched in January 1987 at prices ranging from $1,995 to $3,995 depending on configuration, it used the Intel 80286 processor at 10 MHz and offered seven ISA expansion slots — exceptional expandability that made it a favourite of businesses needing a reliable, upgradeable platform for their office computing needs.
AST Research and the Premium Line
By the time the Premium/286 launched, AST Research had already established itself as one of the most respected names in PC-compatible computing through its acclaimed expansion cards. The Premium line represented AST’s move into complete desktop systems, and the /286 was designed to compete directly with IBM’s own PS/2 range and Compaq’s expanding lineup. AST’s manufacturing quality and aggressive pricing gave it a significant advantage over IBM’s premium-priced offerings while delivering comparable or superior specifications.
Hardware and Expandability
The Premium/286 was built around the Intel 80286 processor at 10 MHz with 512 KB of RAM expandable to 13 MB — generous specifications for a business machine of 1987. Its seven ISA expansion slots provided exceptional room for growth, accommodating graphics cards, network adapters, memory expansion, and the wide range of specialised cards that the booming PC add-in market offered. The machine supported CGA, EGA, MDA, and Hercules graphics standards, making it compatible with virtually every monitor and graphics application available. Options included hard drives from 20 MB to 70 MB — substantial storage for a business desktop of the era.
Industry Recognition
The AST Premium/286 was widely praised in the computer press of its era. A 1989 Australian buyers’ guide described it as ”the industry’s award-winner for 286 performance and value” — high praise in a competitive market where Compaq, IBM, and dozens of clone manufacturers were all competing fiercely on price and specifications. AST’s reputation for quality construction and reliable components gave the Premium line a premium position in the market that its pricing did not always suggest.
Legacy
The AST Premium/286 represents the 286 era of PC computing at its most refined — a period between the original IBM PC’s 8088 processor and the 386 machines that would arrive later in 1987 and 1988. It was a practical, expandable, and well-regarded business tool that served thousands of offices throughout the late 1980s and into the early 1990s. As a survivor from this transitional period in PC history, it is an interesting addition to any collection documenting the evolution of IBM-compatible computing.