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Acorn Archimedes A310

1987–1989 · desktop

Specifications

Cpu: ARM2, 8 MHz
Ram: max: 1 MB on-board via an internal upgrade fitted at the socket for the second bank of RAM chips; further expansion required a podule (expansion card) · base: 512 KB
Ports: RGB video · Composite/TV video · Analogue stereo audio out · Centronics printer port · RS-423 serial · Analogue joystick port · Econet network port (fitted as standard) · Two podule expansion slots (with the optional backplane fitted)
Display: VIDC video controller, multiple modes up to 640x512 in 16 colors (fewer colors at higher resolutions); RGB and composite/TV output
Storage: base: Built-in 3.5" floppy disc drive (800 KB per disc) · options: External hard disc via a podule expansion, e.g. SCSI or ST506 interfaces sold by third parties
Os Support: latest: RISC OS 3.1 via ROM upgrade · shipped: Arthur 1.2
Release Price: £875 (bare board), £1,199 with monitor and podule backplane

Upgrade paths

RAM

1 MB via an official Acorn RAM upgrade board fitted internally · This is the machine that actually launched the Archimedes line and, with it, the ARM chip into people's homes: the cheaper, cut-down A3000 came two years later. Same ARM2 at 8 MHz, but a full-size case with room for a proper podule backplane rather than the A3000's single connector.

~£150 at the time

MODERATE

storage

External hard disc via a third-party podule, tens of MB in period, far more with later SCSI units · The two-slot podule backplane (sold as an option) made hard disc and other expansion cards easier to fit internally than on the later, smaller A3000.

varies widely, several hundred pounds for period SCSI/ST506 kits

HARD