The much-delayed Gavilan portable micro has finally made it into the UK.

Distributor Ferrari Software (0784-39911) is selling the basic machine together with plug-in printer and bundled Peachtree software for £2,295 (plus VAT).

The briefcase-sized Gavilan is based on a CMOS version of the 8088 chip and runs MSDOS. The basic model has an eight line LCD screen, 96K of RAM (expandable to 256K) and a single 360K 3.5" floppy.

A unique feature of the Gavilan is its touch-sensitive panel that allows the user to move the cursor around the screen and select options much in the manner of a mouse.

Ferrari has already started to ship its first machines but it is still in the process of lining up a dealer network. It already distributes the IBM-compatible Seequa Chameleon.

The Gavilan caused quite a stir when it was first announced a year ago with the promise of availability in autum 1983. However, design and production difficulties in the US delayed its introduction.

It runs off rechargeable batteries and comes with an RS232 port and communications software. As a result, data can be downloaded from a desk-top micro and carried around. Similarly, data collected on the move can be uploaded.