Acorn Archimedes A440/1

The Acorn Archimedes A440/1 was the top ARM2 model in the revised A400/1 family. It supplied 4MB RAM and a larger factory hard disc in the four-slot professional enclosure.

The A440/1 was Acorn’s leading conventional Archimedes immediately before the ARM3-based A540 brought cache and substantially higher performance.

Notable Features

• Acorn ARM2 at 8 MHz provides the system’s processing architecture.
• The standard memory configuration was 4MB.
• Storage was supplied as 800KB floppy drive and approximately 47MB internal hard disc.

Historical Significance

• The A440/1 was Acorn’s leading conventional Archimedes immediately before the ARM3-based A540 brought cache and substantially higher performance.
• This record separates a genuine processor, memory, enclosure or storage model from software bundles and dealer-only configurations.

Collector’s Notes

• Confirm the exact model from its front badge and rear serial label because many Acorn systems were upgraded during their working lives.
• Original monitors, three-button mice, keyboards, expansion podules, manuals and installation media add historical value.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Acorn Archimedes A440/1
Manufacturer	Acorn Computers
Launched	Monday, May 1, 1989
Discontinued	1991
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Acorn ARM2 at 8 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	RISC OS 2
I/O	Video, audio, serial, parallel, Econet option and four podule slots
Keyboard	Separate 103-key keyboard and three-button mouse
Storage	800KB floppy drive and approximately 47MB internal hard disc
Sound	Eight-channel, eight-bit stereo sound
Graphics	Acorn VIDC supporting high-resolution colour and monochrome modes
Display	External RGB, VGA-compatible or multiscan monitor
ROM	512KB RISC OS ROM
RAM	4MB
CPU Speed	8 MHz