Computer collection

Acorn

BBC Microcomputer and Electron computers from the collection.

Acorn’s BBC Microcomputer became particularly familiar in British schools, while the Electron offered a lower-cost route into the same family.

Short entries

1982

BBC Microcomputer

Acorn BBC Microcomputer Model B — BBC Microcomputer

Released: 1982
Price: Model A (16K RAM): £295; Model B (32K RAM and additional I/O): £378
CPU: 6502
Language: Custom BASIC with an inline assembler
Text: From 20×32 in 16 colours to 80×32 in two colours; teletext mode 40×25
Graphics: From 160×256 in 16 colours to 640×256 in two colours
Sound: Three channels
Storage: Tape and floppy disk
Interfaces: Printer, serial RS-423, analogue and digital I/O

Used by the BBC’s Computer Programme television series and bought by many schools for computer courses.

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1983

Electron

Acorn Electron computer — Acorn Electron

Released: 1983
Price: £199

A cheaper version of the BBC Microcomputer, with reduced I/O and no teletext display mode. Many people bought one so that they could play Elite.

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