Acorn Cambridge Workstation ACW 443

The Acorn Cambridge Workstation ACW 443 was the production development of the ABC 210, using a 32016 second processor with 4MB RAM, colour monitor and 20MB hard disc. The BBC-derived motherboard acted as the input/output processor.

It was Acorn’s released scientific workstation before the ARM architecture displaced the 32016, and was priced at £3,995 including VAT.

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 4MB co-processor RAM.
• The model’s storage arrangement was 640KB 5.25-inch floppy drive and 20MB hard disc.

Historical Significance

• It was Acorn’s released scientific workstation before the ARM architecture displaced the 32016, and was priced at £3,995 including VAT.
• 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 Cambridge Workstation ACW 443
Manufacturer	Acorn Computers
Launched	Tuesday, January 1, 1985
Discontinued	1987
Launch Price	£3,995
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	Rockwell 6512 at 2 MHz with National Semiconductor 32016 second processor at 6 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Panos 1.4
I/O	BBC interfaces, printer, serial, Econet, hard-disc controller and Tube link
Keyboard	Separate business keyboard
Storage	640KB 5.25-inch floppy drive and 20MB hard disc
Sound	BBC-compatible programmable sound
Graphics	BBC-derived colour display hardware
Display	Integrated colour monitor
ROM	BBC MOS, filing-system and Panos firmware
RAM	64KB host plus 4MB co-processor RAM
CPU Speed	2 MHz host; 6 MHz 32016