Acorn Pocket Book II

The Acorn Pocket Book II updated the education palmtop with a faster processor, a much larger 480 x 160 display, more ROM software and optional 512KB RAM. It was based on the Psion Series 3a platform.

The Pocket Book II was Acorn’s final pocket computer and offered straightforward file exchange with Acorn desktops used in schools.

Notable Features

• The main processing arrangement was NEC V30H at 7.68 MHz.
• Its standard memory provision was 256KB or 512KB RAM.
• The model’s storage arrangement was Two solid-state-disc slots supporting RAM or flash SSDs.

Historical Significance

• The Pocket Book II was Acorn’s final pocket computer and offered straightforward file exchange with Acorn desktops used in schools.
• 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 Pocket Book II
Manufacturer	Acorn Computers
Launched	Wednesday, February 1, 1995
Discontinued	1996
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	NEC V30H at 7.68 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Pocket Book II graphical multitasking environment
I/O	Fast serial expansion for Acorn, PC, Macintosh and printer links
Keyboard	Integrated 58-key QWERTY keyboard and application buttons
Storage	Two solid-state-disc slots supporting RAM or flash SSDs
Sound	Speaker and microphone with digital recording and DTMF dialling
Graphics	480 x 160 monochrome graphics
Display	Built-in 480 x 160 monochrome LCD
ROM	2MB ROM containing operating system and applications
RAM	256KB or 512KB RAM
CPU Speed	7.68 MHz