website/content/museum/acorn-computer-electron.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Acorn Computer Electron	Computers	Home Computer	United Kingdom	1983	MOS 6502A	name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos adverts hardware screenshots emulators links docs related oc_id source Electron /media/museum/photos/acorn_electron_system_s1.jpg /companies/acorn-computer Acorn Computer label value NAME Electron label value MANUFACTURER Acorn Computer label value TYPE Home Computer label value ORIGIN United Kingdom label value YEAR July 1983 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE Acorn Electron Basic + 6502 assembler label value KEYBOARD QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 56 keys, basic statements accessible through keys, 10 function keys (0...9 keys + FUNC)\ ESCAPE, CAPS LK/FUNC, CTRL,BREAK,COPY,RETURN,DELETE,SHIFT (x2) label value CPU MOS 6502A label value SPEED 1 MHz label value CO-PROCESSOR custom ULA label value RAM 32 kb label value ROM 32 kb label value TEXT MODES 20 x 32, 40 x 25, 40 x 32, 80 x 25, 80 x 32 label value GRAPHIC MODES 160 x 256 (4 or 16 colors), 320 x 256 (2 or 4 colors), 640 x 256 (2 colors) label value COLORS 8 colors + 8 flashing versions of the same colors label value SOUND 1 channel of sound + 1 channel of white sound, 7 octaves. In fact 3 virtual sound channels mapped to the single available physical channel.\ Built-in speaker label value SIZE / WEIGHT 16 x 34 x 6.5 cm label value I/O PORTS Expansion port, Tape-recorder connector (1200 baud), aerial TV connector (RF modulator), RGB video output label value POWER SUPPLY External PSU, 18v label value PRICE £199 (UK, august 83)\ 2950 fr (France, february 84) photos adverts hardware software emulators links docs 134 title subtitle text image THE BOX Here you can see the box that the Electron shipped in. Please, take your time and look carefully at the stupid pictures! /media/museum/photos/acorn_electron_box.jpg title subtitle text image INSIDE A very compact and beautifully laid out electronic board, thanks to the integration of a new ULA circuit as well as a very serious technical development. **(1)** 32 KB ROM chips holding the BBC BASIC interpreter. Later version would use only one ROM chip\ **(2)** 6502A microprocessor\ **(3)** 32 KB RAM chips (4 x 4164)\ **(4)** ULA gate array custom chip in charge of video, memory and I/O management\ **(5)** Power regulation card. /media/museum/photos/acorn_electron_inside_s2.jpg title subtitle text image ELECTRON DESIGNERS Chris Curry (left) and Hermann Hauser. They also created the famous BBC BASIC. Chris Curry was a former engineer from Clive Sinclair's company. /media/museum/photos/acorn_electron_designers_s1.jpg title subtitle text image FRENCH AD #1 (1984) "Electron, the personal micro which has talents of a pro"... /media/museum/pubs/acorn_electron_pub_talent.jpg title subtitle text image FRENCH AD #2 (1984) "Electron, software in profusion" /media/museum/pubs/acorn_electron_pub_profusion.jpg title subtitle text image FRENCH AD #3 (1984) The guy on the right is "Sidney", a well known french break dancer back in 1984 ! /media/museum/pubs/acorn_electron_pub_whaooo.jpg title subtitle text image PLUS3 ADVERT Advert said:\ The Plus 3 is a self contained disc interface and 3.5 single sized disc drive providing the user with over 300 Kbytes of storage and the new powerful advanced Disc Filing System (ADFS). ADFS provides easy to use facilities at the Basic level but also has features making it ideal for business use...\ ...A second expansion socket on the Plus 3 allows the connection of a further disc drive, this can be either 3.5 inch or 5.25 inch. Courtesy of **8bs.com** /media/museum/pubs/acorn_electron_plus3adv_1.jpg title subtitle text image IEEE INTERFACE ADVERT Advert said:\ The Acorn IEEE interface enables full implementation of the IEEE standard 488-1978. IEEE488 is also known, and is equivalent to IEC625-1 (in Europe), and GPIB or HP-IB (Hewlett Packard General Purpose Interface Bus)...\ ...The interface can support a network of up to 14 other IEEE-488 compatible devices. Devices can be interconnected in a star or linear fashion. Courtesy of **8bs.com** /media/museum/pubs/acorn_electron_ieeeadv_1.jpg title subtitle text image TAPE RECORDER ADVERT Courtesy of **8bs.com** /media/museum/pubs/acorn_electron_taperecadv_1.jpg title subtitle text image ELECTRON USER MAG #1 (1985) The first issue of the official Electron magazine. Thanks to [The Electron Lives !](http://home.iae.nl/users/bverhoev/) for the picture. /media/museum/pubs/acorn_electron_electron-user_1.jpg title subtitle text image SOFTWARE CATALOGUE AcornSoft software catalogue for the Electron /media/museum/pubs/acorn_electron_softcatalogue_1.jpg title subtitle text image UK ADVERT (JULY 1984) /media/museum/pubs/acorn-electron_uk-pub_july-1984.jpg title subtitle text image GREEK ADVERT (MARCH 1985) null title subtitle text image ''COMPLETE'' ELECTRON The Electron shown above has, as can be seen, been considerably expanded with a Jafa Mode 7 unit, Slogger RomBox, Acorn Plus 1, ACP Advanced Plus 4 and ABR (2 x Sideways RAM) expansions. Thanks to [Lionel Smith's Acorn Electron Pages](http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/lionels/CompNyb/TechStuff/8-Bit/Electron/Electron.html) for the picture. /media/museum/hardware/acorn_electron_complete_3.jpg title subtitle text image SWITCHED JOYSTICK INTERFACE Made by FirstByte This plug in cartridge makes the Electron compatible with all "Atari-style" 9-pin joysticks. /media/museum/hardware/acorn_electron_firstbyte-joystick-interface_1.jpg title subtitle text image PLUS 1 INTERFACE The Electron computer was conceived as a minimal and economical machine largely based on the BBC model B, a kind of cut down version in fact. Sadly, the lack of basic interfaces such as Centronics or Serial, effectively deterred a lot of potential buyers from buying the Electron, which dangerously slowed down the sales of the system.\ Acorn’s answer was the 'Plus 1' interface, which offered a Parallel Centronics printer interface, analogue joystick connector and two cartridge slots. The extension connected to the expansion port of the Electron and screwed into the case, to lock in place. With the "Plus 1", the Electron could then offer a decent range of interfaces matching the flexibility of its competitors, while still preserving an attractive price along with its own unique qualities (excellent BASIC and good graphic capabilities).\ Unfortunately, the "Plus 1" Interface was not enough to boost the sales in Europe. /media/museum/hardware/interf_plus1.jpg title subtitle text image INSIDE PLUS 1 **(1)** The AcornSoft company produced several programs on cartridges, mainly games\ **(2)** Cartridge slots can also receive hardware expansions made by Acorn or other independent companies\ **(3)** Expansion connector handling data transfers between the Electron and the expansion modules\ (4) Parallel Centronics interface, compatible with a large range of printers\ (5) This joystick connector is also a true analogue / digital port which can be connected to measuring instruments /media/museum/hardware/interf_plus1_e.jpg title subtitle text image 'PLUS 3' INTERFACE A disk drive unit suited to the performance of the Electron was lacking to make it a coherent and successful system, able to face the competition.\ The "Plus 3" interface cleverly fulfilled this need. L-shaped, it connected at the rear of the Electron, still allowing the addition of the "Plus 1" interface or any other expansion... The whole thing was firmly fixed to the case and could be moved without fear of damage. /media/museum/hardware/interf_plus3.jpg title subtitle text image INSIDE 'PLUS 3' **(1)** The interface has ROMs holding an additional set of BASIC instructions for the operating system for file management. The electronic part also contains logical circuits acting as a disk-drive controller\ **(2)** This connector allows connection of a second disk drive which can be of a different format to the first one. An adapter also permits use of this connector to control other peripherals\ **(3)** The disk drive is 3.5". The storage capacity is 320 KB, single-sided. Each side is divided into 80 tracks composed of 16 sectors, which can hold 256 bytes each\ **(4)** The interface clips firmly to the Electron, which allows the whole set to be carried safely\ **(5/6)** The connector of the Electron also allows the transfer of information to other peripherals, such as the "Plus 1" interface. /media/museum/hardware/interf_plus3_e.jpg title subtitle text image 'PLUS 3' O.S. The disk operating system of the Electron was called ADFS for "Advanced Disk Filing System".\ It was a powerful and modern operating system, offering numerous capabilities usually only found on big systems : hierarchical directories, file access controls etc. It was delivered with a detailed user manual and a floppy disk containing numerous utilities and sample software. /media/museum/hardware/s_electron_display_plus3.jpg title subtitle text image VOLTMACE DELTA CONTROLLERS Voltmace modified its Database videogame system controllers to be sold for micro-computers, mainly Acorn systems : BBC and Electron (with Plus-1 interface). As the keypad was of no use anymore, it was reduced to only 3 fire buttons. /media/museum/hardware/voltmace_joysticks.jpg title subtitle text image 9 GAME BOXES /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_9gamek7_1.jpg title subtitle text image 5 MORE GAME BOXES /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_5gamek7_s1.jpg title subtitle text image BALLISTYX /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_ballistix_ss.gif title subtitle text image BLAGGER /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_blagger_ss.gif title subtitle text image BOXER /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_boxer_ss.gif title subtitle text image CHUCKY EGG /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_chuckyegg_ss.gif title subtitle text image ALIEN DROP OUT /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_aliendropout_ss.gif title subtitle text image CYBERTRON /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_cybertron_ss.gif title subtitle text image FELIX /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_felix_ss.gif title subtitle text image CROAKER /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_croaker_ss.gif title subtitle text image DIAMOND MINE 2 /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_diamondmine2_ss.gif title subtitle text image FRAK /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_frack_ss.gif title subtitle text image GALACTIC PATROL /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_galacticpatrol_ss.gif title subtitle text image ICON BUG EYES /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_iconbugeyes_ss.gif title subtitle text image METEORS /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_meteors_ss.gif title subtitle text image MISSION UNLIKELY /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_missionunlikely_ss.gif title subtitle text image OVERDRIVE /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_overdrive_ss.gif title subtitle text image PALACE OF MAGIC /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_palace-of-magic_ss.gif title subtitle text image PSYCASTRIA /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_psycastria_ss.gif title subtitle text image BARBARIAN II /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_barbarian2_ss.gif title subtitle text image BOOT SCREEN /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_boot_ss.gif title subtitle text image BUMBLEBEE /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_bumblebee_ss.gif title subtitle text image RUBBLE TROUBLE /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_rubbletrouble_ss.gif title subtitle text image SNAPPER /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_snapper_ss.gif title subtitle text image STAR WARS /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_starwares_ss.gif title subtitle text image SWAG /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_swag_ss.gif title subtitle text image WINTER OLYMPICS /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_winterolympics_ss.gif title subtitle text image YE AR KUNG-FU /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_yearkungfu_ss.gif title subtitle text image ARCADIANS /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_arcadians_ss.gif title subtitle text image AROUND THE WORLD Title screen /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_aroundtheworld_t_ss.gif title subtitle text image AROUND THE WORLD /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_aroundtheworld_ss.gif title subtitle text image CRAZEE RIDER Title screen /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_crazeerider_t_ss.gif title subtitle text image CRAZEE RIDER /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_crazeerider_ss.gif title subtitle text image QUEST Title screen /media/museum/software/acorn_electron_quest-t_ss.gif title url platform text The BBC Lives ! http://www.nvg.org/bbc/emulators.php3 MS DOS This excellent site has a complete list of Acorn systems emulators title url platform text ElectrEm http://electrem.emuunlim.com/ Windows Electron Emulator for MSDOS, Windows & Linux title url platform text MESS http://www.mess.org Multiplatform MESS also emulates the Acorn Electron title url text Acorn Electron World http://www.acornelectron.co.uk/ Huge archives of discs, magazines, roms and documentation title url text Acornusers.org http://www.acornusers.org/ The acornusers.org server hosts several Acorn web sites title url text comp.sys.acorn.games FAQ http://www.landfield.com/faqs/acorn/games/ newsgroup FAQ title url text Derek's Online Computer Museum http://www.walkerworks.co.uk/Electron.html Derek has a nice detailed Electron page with a lot of info about addons, even some he made himself. title url text DOCUMENT http://members.aon.at/~musher/bbc/essentials.htm Electron user guide title url text Lionel's Acorn Electron Pages http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/lionels/CompNyb/TechStuff/8-Bit/Electron/Electron.html title url text RetroBBC http://www.strafom.force9.co.uk/bbc/Retrobbc/Index.htm Mainly a software archive. Cool ! title url text The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library http://8bs.com/ Lots of stuff to see and download title url text The BBC Lives! http://bbc.nvg.org/ The net's largest site catering for enthusiasts of Acorn's range of 8-bit micros title url text The Electron Lives ! http://www.walkerworks.co.uk/Electron.html Some downloadable games and a nice Electron User covert art page ! title url text The Stairway to Hell http://www.stairwaytohell.com/ Electron and BBC support. Excellent site with a lot of stuff ! title url text The Unofficial Acorn Computer User WWW Server http://www.poppyfields.net/acorn/ title url text Web Wiz CAPTCHA http://www.webwizcaptcha.com Programming of Acorn computers title url cover text ACORN ELECTRON USER GUIDE null /media/museum/docs/couvs/acorn_electron_user-guide_2.jpg **ACORN ELECTRON USER GUIDE**\ written by Acorn Computers Limited  compiled/archived by Chris Richardson\  type of document : PDF\  source : www.old-computers.com title url cover text ACORN ELECTRON ADVANCED USER GUIDE http://members.aon.at/~musher/bbc/essentials.htm /media/museum/docs/couvs/acorn_electron_advanced-user-guide.jpg [**ACORN ELECTRON ADVANCED USER GUIDE**](http://members.aon.at/~musher/bbc/essentials.htm)written by Mark Holmes & Adrian Dickens  compiled/archived by C.Richardson / Frank Lee\  type of document : PDF\  source : [BBC Micro Documentation Project](http://members.aon.at/~musher/bbc/) title url cover text DATABASE USER GUIDE null /media/museum/docs/couvs/acorn_electron_database.jpg **DATABASE USER GUIDE**\ written by Acorn Computers Limited  compiled/archived by Gordon Dyer\  type of document : ZIP\  source : www.old-computers.com /museum/acorn-computer-atom /museum/acorn-computer-bbc-master /museum/acorn-computer-bbc-master-aiv /museum/acorn-computer-bbc-master-compact /museum/acorn-computer-bbc-model-a-b-b 121 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230525060822/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=121 2023-05-25

The Acorn Electron is basically a cut-down version of the Acorn BBC-B with which it is partly compatible. After the success of the BBC, Acorn and founder Chris Cury wanted a product to compete with "under £200" computers and especially with the Sinclair Spectrum, its main threat. But sadly, Acorn failed to meet the demand for the new system, mainly because of production problems related to the large custom ULA at the heart of the Electron.

The next year (1984), Acorn decided to anticipate all these problems and focused on producing the Electron in vast numbers. But unfortunately, public demand and enthusiasm were on the wane, and despite an extensive £4-million advertising campaign, a third of the Electrons that were built never made it to the shelves, leaving behind large stockpiles of components that had been paid for but were never used.

Compared to the BBC and its flexible connectivity, the Electron was quite basic with only one expansion port to play around with. Fortunately, Acorn quickly released the Plus 1 expansion offering two ROM cartridge slots, a parallel / centronics interface and a joystick connector.

The built-in Acorn Electron BASIC, largely derived from the famous BBC BASIC, was impressive with innovative features such as the ability to define real procedures with DEF PROC and ENDPROC, or the handling of error events (in 1983 !). There was even an OLD statement which would recover a program erased by NEW. A complete assembler language was also stored in the 32K ROM.

The graphics capabilities were also quite impressive for a computer of this category. Text mode of up to 80 columns and a high resolution of up to 640 x 256 pixels with 2 colors. The custom ULA developed especially for the Electron handled the video display, sound and I/O communications! This was the real heart of the Electron.

The mechanical keyboard was very good. BASIC statements were printed on most of the keys, allowing users to type them in one go. A small amber LED placed on the left part of the keyboard indicated if you were in lowercase or uppercase mode.

Despite being more powerful than the ZX Spectrum, the Electron didn't sell well and suffered from a lack of certain software.