| Developer | Acorn Computers |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Acorn Computers |
| Release date | 1995[1] |
| Operating system | RISC OS 3.60 |
| CPU | 32 MHz ARM7500 |
| Memory | 4–132 MB RAM |
| Graphics | similar to VIDC20 |
| Sound | similar to VIDC20 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Successor | A7000+ |
| Related | Risc PC |
 | |
| Developer | Acorn Computers |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Acorn Computers, Castle Technology[2] |
| Release date | 1995[3] |
| Operating system | RISC OS 3.71. |
| CPU | 48–56 MHz ARM7500FE |
| Memory | 8–136 MB RAM |
| Graphics | similar to VIDC20 |
| Sound | similar to VIDC20 |
| Dimensions |
|
| Successor | Phoebe, Iyonix PC, A9home |
| Related | Risc PC |
The A7000 and A7000+ were Acorn Computers' entry level computers based somewhat on the Risc PC architecture.
Launched in 1995, the A7000 was considered a successor to the A5000, fitting into Acorn's range between the A4000 and Risc PC600, featuring a 32 MHz ARM7500 system-on-a-chip (SoC) and either 2 MB, 4 MB or 8 MB of RAM soldered to the motherboard, with a single memory slot permitting up to 128 MB of additional RAM. In performance terms, the A7000 was described as being three to four times faster than the A4000 and slightly faster than a Risc PC 600 model without video RAM fitted,[4] also having comparable MIPS and Dhrystone performance ratings to 66 MHz Intel 486DX2 systems.[5]
Unlike the Risc PC, the A7000 had been "designed with the rigours of school life in mind", aiming for "a 7-year classroom lifespan".[6] The machine's case was similar to the Acorn Online Media set-top box design incorporating the same SoC, and the product was considered to have been "created specifically to satisfy the education market".[7]
The A7000+ was launched in 1997 and featured a 48 MHz ARM7500FE SoC, thus being "the first time an ARM-based Acorn has shipped with hardware floating point as standard".[8] On-board RAM was upgraded to a standard 8 MB, with the same single memory slot capable of holding 128 MB of RAM, but with the memory speed doubled to 32 MHz from the 16 MHz of the A7000. This apparently brought the machine's general performance into line with a 40 MHz Risc PC700 with 1 MB of video RAM, permitting various display resolutions and colour depths that were not possible on the earlier model. Despite using a related SoC to the earlier model, the A7000+ was upgraded to the extent that it was apparently almost sold as the A8000.[9]
After the discontinuation of Acorn's computer business in 1998, Castle Technology bought the rights to continue production of the A7000+.[10][11]
- ^ Chris's Acorns - Acorn A7000
- ^ "Acorn announces distribution deal with Castle Technology for RISC based products". Acorn Computers Ltd (Press release). 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.
- ^ Chris's Acorns - Acorn A7000+
- ^ Matthewman, David (September 1995). "Codename Kryten". Acorn User. pp. 31–33. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ ARM7500 (PDF) (Technical report). Acorn Computers Limited. July 1995. p. 2. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ "The A7000" (PDF). Acorn in 1995. Beebug Limited. 1995. pp. 4–6. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Acorn in 1995 - an overview" (PDF). Acorn in 1995. Beebug Limited. 1995. p. 3. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Launch Pad A7000+" (PDF). Clan Newsletter. Acorn Computers Limited. 1997. pp. 7–8. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ Kreindler, Jack (July 1997). "Using is believing". Acorn User. pp. 26–27. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ "A7000+ production rescue". Acorn User. April 1999. p. 5. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Chris's Acorns - Castle A7000+