Acorn Business Computer ABC 210

The Acorn Business Computer ABC 210 added a 10MB hard disc, colour display and 1MB of 32016 memory to the ABC 200 architecture. It was the ABC configuration that progressed furthest toward public availability.

Acorn subsequently reworked the ABC 210 with a larger hard disc as the commercially released Cambridge Workstation.

Notable Features

• The main processing arrangement was Rockwell 6512 at 2 MHz with National Semiconductor 32016 second processor at 6 MHz.
• Its standard memory provision was 64KB host plus 1MB co-processor RAM.
• The model’s storage arrangement was One 5.25-inch floppy drive and 10MB hard disc.

Historical Significance

• Acorn subsequently reworked the ABC 210 with a larger hard disc as the commercially released Cambridge Workstation.
• This entry represents a distinct processor, storage or enclosure design rather than a software bundle.

Collector’s Notes

• Surviving examples are scarce, and fitted boards, firmware and storage may differ from announced specifications.
• Original documentation, peripherals and prototype provenance are particularly important for specialist Acorn systems.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Acorn Business Computer ABC 210
Manufacturer	Acorn Computers
Launched	Sunday, January 1, 1984
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Rockwell 6512 at 2 MHz with National Semiconductor 32016 second processor at 6 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Panos
I/O	BBC interfaces, printer, serial, Econet option, hard-disc controller and Tube link
Keyboard	Separate business keyboard
Storage	One 5.25-inch floppy drive and 10MB hard disc
Sound	BBC-compatible programmable sound
Graphics	BBC Micro colour display hardware
Display	Integrated colour monitor
ROM	BBC B+ class MOS and Panos firmware
RAM	64KB host plus 1MB co-processor RAM
CPU Speed	2 MHz host; 6 MHz 32016