BBC Micro facts for kids
BBC Micro Model A/B (standard configuration)
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| Manufacturer | Acorn Computers |
|---|---|
| Type | 8-bit home computer |
| Release date | 1 December 1981 |
| Introductory price | £235 Model A, £335 Model B (in 1981) |
| Discontinued | 1994 |
| Units sold | Over 1.5 million |
| Media | Cassette tape, floppy disk (optional) – 5.25″ (common) (SS/SD, SS/DD, DS/SD, DS/DD), 3.5″ (rare) (SS/DD, DS/DD), hard disk also known as 'Winchester' (rare), Laserdisc (BBC Domesday Project) |
| Operating system | Acorn MOS |
| Power | 50 W |
| CPU | 2 MHz MOS Technology 6502/6512 |
| Memory | 16–32 KiB (Model A/B) 64–128 KiB (Model B+) |
| Storage | 100–800 KB (DFS) 160–1280 KB (ADFS floppy disks) |
| Graphics | 640×256, 8 colours (various framebuffer modes) 78×75, 8 colours (Teletext) |
| Sound | Texas Instruments SN76489, 4 channels, mono TMS5220 speech synthesiser with phrase ROM (optional) |
| Input | Keyboard, twin analogue joysticks with fire buttons, lightpen |
| Connectivity | Printer parallel, RS-423 serial, user parallel, Econet (optional), 1 MHz bus, Tube second processor interface |
| Predecessor | Acorn Atom |
| Successor | Acorn Archimedes |
| Related articles | Acorn Electron |
The BBC Micro, often called "The Beeb", was a popular home computer made by Acorn Computers. It came out in 1981. Over 1.5 million of these computers were sold! For many kids in the UK, the BBC Micro was their very first computer experience. This is because about 80% of schools in the UK used them.
Contents
What Was the BBC Micro?
The BBC Micro was an 8-bit computer. This means it processed information in chunks of 8 bits at a time. It was designed to be easy to use and learn on. The computer was part of a big project by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). This project aimed to teach people about computers.
Learning with The Beeb
The BBC Micro was special because it was used in almost every school in the UK. This meant many children learned how to use computers and even how to code on them. It helped a whole generation get comfortable with technology.
Different Models
Several versions of the BBC Micro were made. The most common one was the Model B. Later, the BBC Master series came out. It had more RAM (computer memory) and other improvements. There were also special versions, like one for North America.
How Did It Work?
The BBC Micro used a MOS Technology 6502 processor. This was a common type of brain for computers back then. It had different ways to show graphics and text on a screen. You could connect it to a TV or a special computer monitor.
Storing Information
To save your work or games, the BBC Micro used different methods.
- Cassette Tapes: Like music tapes, these were a common way to load programs.
- Floppy Disks: Some models could use floppy disks. These were round, flat disks that stored more data.
- Hard Disks: A few rare models even had hard disks for even more storage.
What Could You Do?
The BBC Micro was used for many things.
- Learning to Code: Many people learned the BASIC programming language on it.
- Playing Games: It had many popular games, like Elite.
- Educational Software: Schools used it for all sorts of learning programs.
- Connecting Devices: You could plug in printers, joysticks, and even other computers.
Legacy of the BBC Micro
The BBC Micro stopped being made in 1994. But its impact was huge. It helped millions of people in the UK understand and use computers. It also led to other important computers, like the Acorn Archimedes. Many people who work in technology today started their journey with a BBC Micro.
Related Computers
Images for kids
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Some of the BBC Micro team in 2008
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Keyboard of a Model B, one of two very similar designs used on the model
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Rear of the BBC Micro. Ports from left to right: UHF out, video out, RGB, RS-423, cassette, analogue in and Econet.
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Advert in Interface Age magazine, November 1983, 'The BBC Microcomputer Is Here!'
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Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). The unusual game screen used two display modes at once, to show both detail and colour.
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BASIC prompt after switch-on or hard reset
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Acorn co-founder Hermann Hauser playing a game on a Master in 2012
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Clockwise from top left: Hermann Hauser, Andy Hopper, Christopher Curry, Sophie Wilson, David Allen, Chris Serle, David Kitson, Chris Turner, and Steve Furber at the BBC Micro 30th anniversary in 2012
See also
In Spanish: BBC Micro para niños
