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- From: asmith@acorn.co.uk (Andy Smith)
- Subject: +++ Acorn A5000 +++
- Date: 27 Sep 91 15:47:04 GMT
-
-
- Acorn Unveils its Newest Computer -
- Welcome to the A5000!
-
- Acorn Computers Limited is launching its latest Archimedes state-of-the-art
- computer system - the A5000.
-
- Designed to complement Acorn's current range of Archimedes 32-bit RISC
- computers, the A5000 translates a high performance specification into
- flexibility and ease of use for all users, providing a complete solution
- for all types of computing needs.
-
- There are two versions of the A5000 - a 2MB model with a 40MB hard disk, and
- a 1MB base model. The 2MB model comes with an Acorn 14" multiscan monitor.
-
- At the heart of the A5000 is the ARM3 processor whose high speed combines
- with a much faster RAM access time than is found in the current A400 series
- to deliver an extremely fast machine, ideal for applications such as Desk
- Top Publishing, graphics and CAD, multimedia, and much else besides.
-
- In addition, the new A5000 features an enhanced version of Acorn's RISC
- operating system - RISC OS 3. This new version has more than 300 key
- enhancements over previous releases. In particular, many applications and
- support modules, as well as some of the most popular fonts have been put
- into ROM, releasing up to 150KB of extra user work space; and applications
- packages such as !Draw and !Paint have been upgraded with many extra
- facilities.
-
- The A5000 has a serial port, a centronics printer port, an enhanced PC AT
- keyboard, and four eurocard-sized expansion slots, which permit expansion
- options at a much lower cost than with other systems. These include access
- to a wide range of standard PC storage devices or specialist interface
- cards, allowing the system to develop with changing customer demands.
-
- The A5000's floppy disc drive can now handle up to 1.6MB of information -
- more than twice the existing 800KB standard. IBM PC disks of up to 1.44MB
- can also be used and the operating system automatically adjusts to
- whichever format the disk is in, without the need for a separate software
- utility. The A5000 also allows users to take full advantage of the cost
- effective IDE technology, now a standard in personal computing with the 2MB
- system incorporating an extremely fast 40MB hard drive.
-
- Because the processor of the A5000 is so fast, the machine can be made to
- behave like different computers all at the same time. Via Acorn's PC
- Emulator software data from, say, a DOS spreadsheet or database can be
- combined into a business report running under the RISC OS desktop in order
- to take advantage of the A5000's superb graphics and wide range of scalable
- fonts. Additionally with !X software, the A5000 can become an X terminal,
- giving access into open systems.
-
- With its networking options and TCP/IP protocol, the A5000 communicates
- easily with other computers via standard Ethernet and Acorn's low-cost
- proprietary Econet. Information, expensive peripherals and storage can be
- shared with other machines throughout an organisation. The A5000 is also
- the ideal vehicle with which to access and manipulate data stored on CD ROM
- discs.
-
- Acorn's Marketing Director, Mike O'Riordan said "The new A5000 now joins
- Acorn's family of Archimedes computers ranging from the BBC A3000 (already
- the fourth best-selling computer in the UK) to the flagship A540.
- Performance for its own sake is not the question ; it's how it is delivered
- to your desktop which is the key; and with the A5000 together with RISC OS
- 3, the power of the ARM processor can be utilised by a wide range of
- applications. "
-
- The A5000 costs M-#999 for the 1MB model and M-#1499 for the 2MB, hard disc
- version with the Acorn multiscan monitor. (Both prices are ex-VAT.)
-
-
-
-
- Issued by: Brian Salter Corporate Affairs Manager Acorn Computers Tel 0223
- 245200
-
- ============================
-
-
- From: asmith@acorn.co.uk (Andy Smith)
- Subject: +++ A5000 learning curve +++
- Date: 27 Sep 91 15:47:08 GMT
-
- Acorn launches the
- A5000 Learning Curve
-
- Acorn Computers has launched the newest addition to its series of Learning
- Curve packs designed to serve the requirements of family computing in the
- 1990s.
-
- In addition, the company is announcing its new JP150 printer which will be
- available with its entire Learning Curve range.
-
- The A5000 Learning Curve features the newly launched A5000 computer with its
- ultra fast ARM3 processor and newly released operating system, RISC OS 3,
- together with a powerful suite of software packages aimed at bridging the
- gap between the office, school and home.
-
- At the same time a new Learning Curve featuring the popular BBC A3000
- computer has been released, with many of the features of the A5000 Learning
- Curve included in the pack.
-
- The concept of the Learning Curve pulls together the needs of computing in
- schools, at the office and in the home. With increasing job mobility and
- the widespread use of personal computers, working from home is becoming a
- viable option for many people. At the same time the National Curriculum in
- schools, currently taking effect, recommends that core subjects are taught
- and learned with the help of computer technology.
-
- The Learning Curve packs offer a choice of Acorn machines and accompanying
- software to address the computing needs of the entire family. Both packs
- feature 1st Word Plus (a professional standard word processing program
- together with its own 70,000 word dictionary), Genesis Plus (a database
- which can link text records, graphics, sound and animation), drawing, paint
- and music programs and a number of games including the classic Pacmania and
- the best selling Lemmings, newly launched on the Archimedes family of
- computers.
-
- Included with the A5000 Learning Curve is Acorn's Desk Top Publishing
- program (which is available for the A3000 Learning Curve as an optional
- extra).
-
- To allow data from the office PC to be used, Acorn's latest PC Emulator
- running with DR DOS 5.0 is supplied to allow PC compatible software such as
- Wordperfect and Lotus 123 to be used. The new PC Emulator allows
- multitasking within the RISC OS desktop which means that DOS programs can
- now be run concurrently with RISC OS applications permitting the transfer
- of data between the two.
-
- Acorn's Consumer Unit Marketing Manager, Bob Coates said of the A5000
- Learning Curve "With its ARM3 processor and the latest version of the PC
- Emulator, together with standard IBM-type interfaces for printers and
- peripherals, anyone who is at all uncertain of whether to go for a PC clone
- or an Archimedes need hesitate no longer.
-
- "For about the cost of a standard 386 PC clone you can now buy the A5000
- Learning Curve which offers you the speed and software compatability of a
- 386 PC yet with all the added value of the Acorn world as well.
-
- "We've effectively taken the worry out of making a clear cut decision of
- whether to go down the well worn DOS path, or to go with the exciting new
- future of RISC OS with all its inherent benefits. The A5000 Learning Curve
- provides the best of both worlds."
-
- Both Learning Curves also feature a two hour tutorial which comes on two
- audio cassettes. This explains the versatility of the system and describes
- some of the uses to which the wide range of accompanying software can be
- put.
-
- To complement the Learning Curve Systems, Acorn's new JP150 ink jet printer
- is on offer as an option. It delivers high quality and superb graphics
- output (at 300 dpi) in almost complete silence.
-
- Bob Coates added "Now Learning Curve consumers can have almost laser printer
- quality at near dot matrix prices. The JP150 is ideal for home use because
- of its compact size and ease of use. I believe it will lead the home user
- into the next generation of quality printing."
-
- The A5000 Learning Curve complete with multiscan monitor sells at M-#1799.
- The A3000 Learning Curve sells at M-#749 without monitor or at M-#999 with
- an RGB monitor. The A5000LC Colour System with printer costs M-#2075 and
- the A3000LC Colour System is M-#1275. All prices include VAT.
-
-
- Issued by: Brian Salter Corporate Affairs Manager Acorn Computers Tel 0223
- 245200
-
- =======================
-
-
-
- From: asmith@acorn.co.uk (Andy Smith)
- Subject: +++ A5000 prices +++
- Date: 27 Sep 91 15:47:15 GMT
- Organization: Acorn Computers Ltd, Cambridge, England
-
- Acorn Adjusts its Range of
- Computer Prices
-
- To coincide with the launch of the new A5000, Acorn Computers is making a
- number of adjustments to the prices of some of its other computers.
-
- In particular, M-#500 is being knocked off the price of the top of the range
- A540 and R260 machines, whilst the A420 and A410 machines are each being
- reduced by M-#200.
-
- The A440 and R140 models are being withdrawn from production with immediate
- effect. The costs of the A3000 and Master 128 remain the same.
-
- Prices for the complete range of Acorn computers are as follows:
-
- ex-VAT inc-VAT
- A540 M-#2495.00 M-#2924.63
- A5000 2MB HD System with multiscan monitor M-#1499.00 M-#1761.33
- A5000 Learning Curve with multiscan monitor M-#1531.06 M-#1799.00
- As above with JP150 printer M-#1765.96 M-#2075.00
- A420 M-#1099.00 M-#1284.33
- A410 M-# 899.00 M-#1049.33
- A3000 M-# 599.00 M-# 700.33
- A3000 Learning Curve M-# 642.29 M-# 749.00
- A3000 Learning Curve with RGB monitor M-# 855.05 M-# 999.00
- As above with JP150 printer M-#1089.95 M-#1275.00
- Master 128 M-# 399.00 M-# 467.08
- R260 UNIX workstation M-#3495.00 M-#4088.08
- R225 UNIX discless workstation M-#1795.00 M-#2109.12
-
- These new prices will take effect from 1st October 1991.
-
- Issued by:
- Brian Salter
- Corporate Affairs Manager
- Acorn Computers
- Cambridge CB1 4JN
- Tel 0223 245200
-
-
-