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Acorn Electron

Acorn Electron
DeveloperAcorn Computers
Type8-bit microcomputer
Release date25 August 1983 (1983-08-25)
Introductory price£199 (circa £800 today)
MediaCassette tape, floppy disk (optional), ROM cartridge (optional)
Operating systemAcorn MOS v1.0
CPUSynertek SY6502A clocked at 2MHz when accessing ROM and 1 MHz when accessing RAM
Memory32 KB RAM, 32 KB ROM
DisplayRF modulator, composite video, RGB monitor output, 160×256 (4 or 16 colours), 320×256 (2 or 4 colours), 640×256 (2 colours), 320×200 (2 colours – spaced display with two blank horizontal lines following every 8 pixel lines), 640×200 (2 colours – spaced display)
GraphicsFerranti Semiconductor Custom ULA
SoundTone and noise generation
InputKeyboard

The Acorn Electron (nicknamed the Elk inside Acorn[1] and beyond[2]) was a lower-cost alternative to the BBC Micro educational/home computer, also developed by Acorn Computers Ltd, to provide many of the features of that more expensive machine at a price more competitive with that of the ZX Spectrum.[3] It had 32 kilobytes of RAM, and its ROM included BBC BASIC II together with the operating system. Announced in 1982 for a possible release the same year, it was eventually introduced on 25 August 1983 priced at £199.[1]

The Electron was able to save and load programs onto audio cassette via a supplied cable that connected it to any standard tape recorder that had the correct sockets. It was capable of bitmapped graphics, and could use either a television set, a colour (RGB) monitor or a monochrome monitor as its display. Several expansions were made available to provide many of the capabilities omitted from the BBC Micro. Acorn introduced a general-purpose expansion unit, the Plus 1, offering analogue joystick and parallel ports, together with cartridge slots into which ROM cartridges, providing software, or other kinds of hardware expansions, such as disc interfaces, could be inserted.[4] Acorn also produced a dedicated disc expansion, the Plus 3, featuring a disc controller and 3.5-inch floppy drive.[5]

For a short period, the Electron was reportedly the best selling micro in the United Kingdom,[6] with an estimated 200,000[7] to 250,000 machines[8] sold over its entire commercial lifespan. With production effectively discontinued by Acorn as early as 1985,[9] and with the machine offered in bundles with games and expansions, later being substantially discounted by retailers, a revival in demand for the Electron supported a market for software and expansions without Acorn's involvement,[10] with its market for games also helping to sustain the continued viability of games production for the BBC Micro.[11]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference acornuser198307_elk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "The Acorn Electron". Acorn Electron World. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference practicalcomputing198210 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference electronuser198407p1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference plus3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Spectrum Toppled". Electron User. Vol. 3, no. 5. Database Publications. February 1986. p. 7. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  7. ^ "Olivetti cash revives Acorn". Home Computing Weekly. 30 July 1985. p. 1. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Is a new model on its way?". Electron User. Vol. 3, no. 9. June 1986. p. 5. Retrieved 27 November 2020. They figure that if the public wants Electrons, and more than 250,000 have been sold so far, then the time may be ripe to bring out an enhanced model
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference acornuser198505a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference electronuser198605 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference diskuser198810_gameplan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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