Acorn Electron

The Acorn Electron condensed much of the BBC Micro’s software environment into a lower-cost home computer. A custom ULA reduced component count but shared memory bandwidth with the processor, making many programs slower than on a BBC Model B.

It extended BBC BASIC and Acorn software into the mass home market, although production delays and strong competition limited its commercial impact.

Notable Features

• MOS Technology 6502A at 2 MHz forms the centre of the system.
• The standard memory and storage configuration was 32KB RAM and Cassette interface; optional Plus 1 and Plus 3 expansions.
• Its principal display arrangement was Television, composite video or RGB monitor.

Historical Significance

• It extended BBC BASIC and Acorn software into the mass home market, although production delays and strong competition limited its commercial impact.
• This page represents a distinct Acorn model rather than a regional, memory-only or bundled-software variation.

Collector’s Notes

• Original keyboards, power supplies, manuals, expansion cards and storage hardware materially improve a surviving system.
• Internal revisions and dealer-installed upgrades mean an individual machine should be checked against its serial label and fitted hardware.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Acorn Electron
Manufacturer	Acorn Computers
Launched	Thursday, August 25, 1983
Discontinued	1985
Launch Price	£199
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	MOS Technology 6502A at 2 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Electron OS with BBC BASIC
I/O	UHF, composite, RGB, cassette and expansion connector
Keyboard	Integrated 56-key keyboard
Storage	Cassette interface; optional Plus 1 and Plus 3 expansions
Sound	Single-channel sound with software-controlled pitch
Graphics	BBC-compatible display modes generated by the ULA
Display	Television, composite video or RGB monitor
ROM	32KB OS and BBC BASIC ROM
RAM	32KB RAM
CPU Speed	2 MHz with memory-access contention