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System Information: Acorn Computers BBC Master

Development, History, Games, Internals, Additional Information, Photos

Specifications Table

Manufacturer: Acorn Computers

Year Released: 1986
Year Discontinued: 0000

Size & Weight: 467mm(W) x 345mm(D) x 75mm(H) - Weight unknown at this time

Storage: Floppy Disk, Cassette, ROM Chip, Hard Disk

CPU: MOS 65SC12
Speed: 2Mhz

Additional Processors: Optional Intel 80186 or 65C10264

System Memory: 64-128K ROM (depending on model), 128-512K RAM (depending on model)

Graphics Modes: 160x256 to 640x256 (7 graphics & texts modes including Mode 7 Teletext mode)

Max Colours: 8 (in low resolution mode and Teletext mode)

Sound: 4 Sound Channels (1 noise and 3 tone generators) provided by the Texas Instruments SN76489 sound chip

Ports: Cartridge Slots (ROM), RS-423 Serial, Centronics Parallel, Floppy Disk, Analogue, "Tube" interface, Econet

Power Rating: Power supply built into the chassis - runs from mains.

Original Cost

8 out of 10

Retro-Zone.Org - Retrospective Review:

This really is the beast of BBC Microcomputers. They were incredibly powerful in their time and were used for everything from education to scientific research. They could be networked together or have additional processors installed to make them run software normally used on IBM computers. Not really one for the home user - but a great machine that sadly never lived to see it's potential.

Do I have one in my Collection?

There are so many types of BBC Master I will need another room to store them all. Now I realise why there are so many "Acorn Only" collectors out there. There is so much Acorn stuff to collect!

Additional Links:

Development:

The BBC Master was the replacement upgrade for the BBC Micro released in 1981.

The BBC Micro was not intended to be the BBC Micro. The original design by Acorn Computers was intended to be the replacement for the Acorn Atom called the Proton. While the proton was still in the prototype phase the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) founded the BBC Computer Literacy Project with the intention of introducing the world of the Micro Computer to the masses via a television series named "The Computer Programme". The BBC decided to apply the channel name to a computer - which could then be used throughout the series - meaning the programmers would only have to cater for one machine. The project was put out to tender and a set of minimum specifications produced which the computer manufacturers would have to meet. Acorn decided to put forward their Proton computer as a candidate to the BBC, and in a last minute rush managed to get the prototype running properly. The competition was stiff and the BBC had received a number of machines from other manufacturers such as Sinclair and Dragon Data. In the end the BBC opted to use the Acorn Proton as it was the only machine which exceeded almost all of the BBC's required specifications.
The Proton was renamed at the BBC Microcomputer - placed inside a rugged metal case and fitted with additional expansion ports to become the BBC Micro everyone knows today.

The BBC Master was available in several different models:
Master 128: The was the base model and as the name suggests - it had 128K of RAM.
Master Turbo: Came complete with a second processor card built in which has a 65C102 running at 4Mhz.
Master AIV: Included a second processor and SCSI interface for use with the "Doomsday" video discs (an adapted laser disc similar to CD.)
Master ET: Came complete with the Econet Terminal. This was a cut down version of the Master 128 with much of the internal software and hardware connections missing. This machine was intended as a cheap network solution.
Master 512: Had 512K ram and an Intel 80186 running at 10Mhz as a second processor. Because of the Intel chip this BBC could run MS-DOS and other IBM software.
Master Compact: This version was a cut down version of the Master 128. The keyboard was and main unit were separate (much like a modern desktop PC) with the main unit sitting under the monitor. The main unit held the 3.5 inch disk drives and the power supply. Strangely Acorn decided not to include a Centronics interface with this model.

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History:

The BBC master did not enjoy quite so much success as it's predecessor but it was still widely used in the UK educational sector. Many businesses also saw the machine as a wise investment due to it's improved processor and MS-DOS compatibility and cheap networking options. The BBC Master series was discontinued in 1994 to be replaced by the Acorn Archimedes computers.

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Games:

Not a lot of games were written specifically for the Master Series - although it was compatible with most of the BBC Micro back catalogue. In all over 700 games were released for the BBC series of computers. The BBC Master series also saw the release of Acorn Computers first public Guided User Interface (GUI) operating system.

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Internals:

The internals of the Master series were much like the BBC Micro series. The processor has seen a minor upgrade with the MOS 65SC12 being a modified 6502 and the RAM had been increased. The biggest upgrades were to the System ROM which now contained a lot more software and support for external devices. Even a SCSI interface was included with certain models to allow the connection of Optical Disc Drives. It was also possible to install a daughter board containing an Intel 80186 processor - enabling the BBC Master to use MS-DOS Programs.

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Additional Information:

Lots of different version of the BBC Master exist. See the photo's below:

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Photos

Gallery (click on a thumbnail to enlarge)

Master 128	Master Turbo	Master AIV	Master ET	Master 512

Master Compact

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References:

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