Retro-Zone.Org

System Information: Acorn Computers Electron

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

Specifications Table

Manufacturer: Acorn Computers

Year Released: 1983
Year Discontinued: 0000

Size & Weight: 160mm(D) x 340mm(W) x 65mm(H) - Weight unknown at this time

Storage: Cassette, ROM Cartridge

CPU: MOS 6502A
Speed: Variable 0.79 to 2Mhz

Additional Processors: Acorn Designed Custom ULA chip

System Memory: 32K RAM, 32K ROM

Graphics Modes: 160x256 to 640x256

Max Colours: 8

Sound: 1 Channel tone generator (built in speaker)

Ports: Expansion port, Cassette port (1200 baud), RF Out, RGB Out.

Power Rating: 18V (external PSU)

Original Cost

6 out of 10

Retro-Zone.Org - Retrospective Review:

The acorn electron was supposed to be the home equivalent of the BBC Micro - but Acorn simply cut too much out of it. The graphics and sound hardware in the electron could not handle the complex games people had come to expect from the BBC and so the electron felt like the second choice computer.

Do I have one in my Collection?

YES

I got this from eBay fully boxed with the welcome cassette. I also have an unboxed Expansion module #1. I also got my hands on a ROM cartridge for instant late night games of Frogger!

Additional Links:

Development:

The Electron was Acorns attempt to compete with Sinclair and other micro computer manufacturers in the sub £200 market. The machine is essentially a cut down version of the BBC Micro Model B. The electron was also partly compatible with the BBC Micro and so could share some of the software. Many games and programs were released with versions that would work on either machine. The Electron kept the solid design and feel of the BBC Micro keyboard. The electron had an expansion circuit strip connector at the rear which would allow the connection of a number of expansion modules which would add further expansion and connectivity options.

(back to Top)

History:

The Electron was initially very well received by the public and Acorn were not able to meet the demand for the new machine. Problems mass producing the ULA chip which contained most of the electrons internal circuitry was complicated and slow. After a year or so Acorn was able to iron out the manufacturing problems and mass produce the Electron - but it was too late as most people had moved onto other machines. Still the machine did very well and is thought to have out sold the BBC micro during it's life span.

(back to Top)

Games:

Around 500 games / programs were officially produced specifically for the Electron, and it was also compatible with some 32K BBC Micro software - giving it a huge software library. Several ROM cartridges were produced for the Acorn Electron. They are about the same size as a Sega Master System Cartridge.

(back to Top)

Internals:

The Electron was based on the BBC Micro Model B and contains 32K of RAM as standard. The internal circuitry of the BBC-B was scaled down and replicated on a custom ULA chip by Acorn as a cost saving measure. The BBC-B hardware is essentially emulated inside the ULA. Some functions of the BBC-B could not be included in the chip and as a result to Electron lost some of the BBC's features. Due to the way in which the processor was shared between the ULA and system RAM, the operating speed was reduced by more than half. In order to use the 6502A processor at full 2Mhz speed the software had to be present on a ROM cartridge. Most software developers decided to produce software using the faster graphics modes with less colours in order to compensate for the loss of speed. The Electron only had one sound channel which could emit tones through an internal speaker inside the chassis.

(back to Top)

Additional Information:

More to come soon.

(back to Top)

Photos

Gallery (click on a thumbnail to enlarge)

The Electron in it's box	Rear shot of the Expansion Module #1	Unpacked and looking forward to being played	With the Expansion Module 1 fitted.

(back to Top)

References:

The copyright contents of this site MAY NOT be copied by anyone without the express written permission of the copyright holder.

Certain aspects of this site are used with the copyright holders permission. These sections may not be copied without the content owners express permission (not retro-zone.org.) Look for information in the section.

Other Sections of this site may be "Public Domain" and may be copied by anyone and hosted on their own sites,

these sections will be clearly marked with the text 'NOTE: This Document is "Public Domain"' in GREEN.

Retro-Zone.Org or the Author cannot accept responsibility for items uploaded with the permission of others in error. If you find anything on this site which contravenes copyright please inform me at

ask@retro-zone.org and the offending content will be removed as soon as possible.