Acorn A7000
| Developer | Acorn Computers |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Acorn Computers |
| Release date | 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 |
| Developer | Acorn Computers |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Acorn Computers, Castle Technology[2] |
| Release date | 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]
Specifications and technical details[6][7]
- CPU: A7000, ARM7500 clocked at 32 MHz. A7000+, ARM7500FE, with hardware floating point unit, clocked at 48 MHz or 56 MHz (Castle A7000+).
- Memory type: 4 MiB FPM (8 MiB EDO A7000+) motherboard mounted and, 1 SIMM slot, supporting a maximum memory size of 132 MiB (136 MiB A7000+).
- Video subsystem: VIDC20 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. Note, only one of a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM or a Eurocard Podule could be fitted.
- Ports: RS-232 Serial, Parallel, PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, headphone audio out, DE15 VGA, network (optional).
- Dimensions, HxWxD: 102 × 357 × 283 mm
- Operating System: RISC OS 3.60 (A7000), RISC OS 3.71 (A7000+). RISC OS 4 is available as a replacement for the Acorn-implemented versions which came fitted as standard. Alternatively NetBSD[8] or ARM Linux (historically).[9]
Modifications
A user modification (dubbed the A7KP) to rehouse an A7000+ as a portable weighing 5 lbs was seen in 2011.[10]
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]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Chris's Acorns - Acorn A7000
- ↑ "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.
- 1 2 Chris's Acorns - Acorn A7000+
- ↑ Enhancements and diversification - Online Media, Risc PC updates and handhelds (1994 to 1996) – Technical history of Acorn of RPC700 and A7000
- 1 2 Chris's Acorns - Castle A7000+
- ↑ Acorn Risc Technologies - A7000 Factsheet
- ↑ Acorn Clan Newsletter - A7000+
- ↑ NetBSD acorn/32 project page
- ↑ ARM Linux - Overview of Acorn Machines
- ↑ 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.
External links
- Technical history of Acorn
- Exciting times - the StrongARM Risc PC and the A7000+ (1996 to 1997) – Technical history of Acorn of StrongARM and A7000+
- Chris's Acorns - Castle Technology
- Castle announce the A7000+ Odyssey