Acorn A7000

Acorn A7000
Developer Acorn Computers
Manufacturer Acorn Computers
Release date 1995 (1995)[1]
Operating system RISC OS
CPU 32 MHz ARM7500
Memory 4–132 MiB RAM
Dimensions
  • 102 mm (4.0 in) (h)
  • 357 mm (14.1 in) (w)
  • 283 mm (11.1 in) (d)
Successor A7000+
Related articles RiscPC
Acorn A7000+
Developer Acorn Computers
Manufacturer Acorn Computers, Castle Technology[2]
Release date 1995 (1995)[3]
Operating system RISC OS
CPU 48–56 MHz ARM7500FE
Memory 8–136 MiB RAM
Dimensions
  • 102 mm (4.0 in) (h)
  • 357 mm (14.1 in) (w)
  • 283 mm (11.1 in) (d)
Successor Phoebe, Iyonix PC, A9home
Related articles RiscPC

The A7000 and A7000+ were Acorn Computers' entry level computers based on the RiscPC architecture. Launched in 1995,[1] they replaced some of the models of the Acorn Archimedes range.[4] After the breakup of Acorn Computers in 1998, Castle Technology bought the rights to continue production of the A7000+.[5] The A7000 used the ARM7500 system on chip which combined the separate ARM CPU, MMU, VIDC20 video chip and IOMD IO controller of the RiscPC into a single chip.[1]

History

The A7000 was launched in 1995, featuring a 32 MHz ARM7500 processor.[1] The more advanced A7000+ was launched in 1997, featuring a 48 MHz ARM7500FE processor.[3] When Acorn Computers was broken up in 1998 Castle Technology bought the rights to continue A7000+ production.[5]

Specifications and technical details

Acorn A7000 [6] Acorn A7000+ [7] Castle A7000+ Notes
CPU ARM7500 @ 32 MHz ARM7500FE @ 48 MHz ARM7500FE @ 56 MHz The FE in the ARM7500FE identifier indicates integrated floating point hardware.
Memory type 4 MiB FPM 8 MiB EDO RAM mounted on motherboard. Additionally 1 SIMM slot, supporting an additional 128 MiB.
Video subsystem VIDC20 controller Video controller integrated into ARM7500 core, display memory is shared with main memory.
Expansion One Eurocard-sized Podule support in common with Archimedes-series machines. One internal network card socket.
Case One 3.5 inch bay, with floppy drive, one 5.25 inch bay for a CD-ROM drive. Only one of a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive or a Eurocard Podule could be fitted.
Ports RS-232 Serial, DB25 Parallel, PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, 3.5mm headphone audio out, DE15 VGA 8P8C 10Base-T network (optional).
Dimensions HxWxD: 102 × 357 × 283 mm
Operating system RISC OS 3.60 RISC OS 3.71. RISC OS 4 is available as a replacement. Alternatively NetBSD[8] or ARM Linux (historically).[9]

Modifications

A user modification (dubbed the A7KP) to rehouse an A7000+ as a portable weighing 5 lb (2.3 kg) was seen in 2011.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Chris's Acorns - Acorn A7000
  2. ↑ "Acorn announces distribution deal with Castle Technology for RISC based products". Acorn Computers Ltd (Press release). Acorn Computers Ltd. 1998-10-12. Archived from the original on May 6, 1999. Retrieved 2011-01-06. (October 12th 1998), Cambridge, UK-Acorn announced today that it has completed negotiations with Castle Technology for them to distribute Acorn products.
  3. 1 2 Chris's Acorns - Acorn A7000+
  4. ↑ Enhancements and diversification - Online Media, Risc PC updates and handhelds (1994 to 1996) – Technical history of Acorn of RPC700 and A7000
  5. 1 2 Chris's Acorns - Castle A7000+
  6. ↑ Acorn Risc Technologies - A7000 Factsheet
  7. ↑ Acorn Clan Newsletter - A7000+
  8. ↑ NetBSD acorn/32 project page
  9. ↑ ARM Linux - Overview of Acorn Machines
  10. ↑ Heater, Brian (June 23, 2011). "The Acorn A7000+ portable mod is what your MacBook looks like in an alternate universe". Engadget. Retrieved February 27, 2012. [Acorn's] late-period A7000+ desktop has now seen a successful second life at the hands of a British modder as the A7KP. The Acorn's innards have been stuffed into a five pound (relatively) portable setup.
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