Acorn System 1

The Acorn System 1 was a compact Eurocard-based training and development computer sold as a kit or assembled unit. Programs were entered through a hexadecimal keypad and viewed on a nine-digit LED display.

It was Acorn’s first complete computer and established the modular hardware approach developed through the later System machines.

Notable Features

• MOS Technology 6502 at 1 MHz forms the centre of the system.
• The standard memory and storage configuration was 512 bytes; expandable to 1KB and External cassette interface; programs entered from keypad.
• Its principal display arrangement was Nine-digit seven-segment LED display.

Historical Significance

• It was Acorn’s first complete computer and established the modular hardware approach developed through the later System machines.
• 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 System 1
Manufacturer	Acorn Computers
Launched	Monday, April 9, 1979
Discontinued	1980
Launch Price	£65 (kit) £75 (assembled)
Country	United Kingdom
CPU	MOS Technology 6502 at 1 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Acorn monitor firmware
I/O	Cassette, Eurocard bus, user I/O and power connections
Keyboard	25-key hexadecimal keypad
Storage	External cassette interface; programs entered from keypad
Sound	Simple programmable tone output through expansion
Graphics	Hexadecimal display driven by monitor circuitry
Display	Nine-digit seven-segment LED display
ROM	512-byte monitor ROM
RAM	512 bytes; expandable to 1KB
CPU Speed	1 MHz