The Acorn Archimedes A3000 was part of Acorn’s ground breaking Archimedes line, known for introducing the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture, which Acorn pioneered. The A3000 was designed as an affordable all-in-one unit aimed at schools and home users, combining powerful performance with the simplicity of a single-box system. It became a familiar sight in UK classrooms, widely used for education, programming, and gaming.
Hardware Specifications
Processor: ARM2 32-bit RISC CPU running at 8 MHz
Memory: 1 MB of RAM (expandable to 4 MB)
Graphics: Multiple display modes:
Low resolution: 640×256 pixels, 256 colors
High resolution: 640×512 pixels, 16 colors
Storage: Built-in 3.5-inch floppy disk drive (800 KB), with external expansion options
Operating System: RISC OS 2, a graphical user interface with multitasking capabilities
Audio: 8-channel stereo sound with built-in speaker
Connectivity: Expansion slots, printer port, serial port, and Econet networking support for school networks
Original Release Date: May 1989
Discontinued: Mid 1990s
Cost (New in 1989): £649
Cost (In 2024 Price): £1680
Modifications I have performed:
Removed and replaced CMOS chip and battery with RTC Podule
General clean
Replaced power supply
RGB to Scart cable for colour TV output
Changed ROM chips to upgrade RISC OS from 2.00 to 3.11
SmallyMouse2 Acorn to USB mouse adapter
Fitted ZIDEFS Compact Flash “Hard Drive”
Replaced all three internal timing crystals
Replaced all Zero Ohm links for mouse port
Replaced floppy drive with a Gotek drive
Cost to me for computer £0.00
Cost to me for repairs and upgrades £411.66