Editing Acorn Electron (section)

{{Short description|Personal computer sold in Britain}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox computer
| Name = Acorn Electron
| Logo = 
| image = Acorn Electron 4x3.jpg
| Type = [[8-bit computing|8-bit]] [[microcomputer]]
| Developer = [[Acorn Computers]]
| Released = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1983|08|25}}
| Discontinued = 
| Processor = [[Synertek]] [[6502|SY6502A]] @<br>2 [[megahertz|MHz]] when accessing [[read-only memory|ROM]]<br>1 [[megahertz|MHz]] when accessing [[random-access memory|RAM]]
| Memory = 32 [[kilobyte|KB]] [[random-access memory|RAM]], 32 [[kilobyte|KB]] [[read-only memory|ROM]]
| Media = [[Cassette tape]], [[floppy disk]] (optional), [[ROM cartridge]] (optional)
| Graphics = Ferranti Semiconductor Custom ULA
| Display = [[RF modulator]], [[composite video]], [[RGB]] monitor output, 160×256 (4 or 16 colours), 320×256 (2 or 4 colours), 640×256 (2 colours), 320×200 (2 colours – spaced display with two blank horizontal lines following every 8 pixel lines), 640×200 (2 colours – spaced display)
| Input = [[Keyboard (computing)|Keyboard]]
| Connectivity = 
| OS = [[Acorn MOS]] v1.0
| baseprice = £199 (circa £{{Inflation|UK|199|1983|r=-2}} today)
| sound = [[Square wave (waveform)|Tone]] and [[White noise|noise]] generation
}}

The '''Acorn Electron''' (nicknamed the '''Elk''' inside Acorn<ref name="acornuser198307_elk" /> and beyond<ref name="acornelectronworld56">{{cite web | title=The Acorn Electron | website=Acorn Electron World | url=http://www.acornelectron.co.uk/eug/56/a-acor.html | access-date=16 August 2021}}</ref>) was introduced as a lower-cost alternative to the [[BBC Micro]] educational/[[home computer]], also developed by [[Acorn Computers]], to provide many of the features of that more expensive machine at a price more competitive with that of the [[ZX Spectrum]].<ref name="practicalcomputing198210"/> It has 32 [[kilobyte]]s of [[random-access memory|RAM]], and its [[read-only memory|ROM]] includes [[BBC BASIC]] II together with the [[Acorn MOS|operating system]]. Announced in 1982 for a possible release the same year, it was eventually introduced on 25 August 1983 priced at £199.<ref name="acornuser198307_elk"/>

The Electron is able to save and load programs onto [[compact audio cassette|audio cassette]] via a cable, originally supplied with the computer, connecting it to any standard [[tape recorder]] with the appropriate sockets. It is capable of bitmapped graphics, and can use either a contemporary television set, a colour ([[RGB]]) monitor or a [[monochrome monitor]] as its display. Several expansions were made available to provide many of the capabilities omitted from the BBC Micro. Acorn introduced a general-purpose expansion unit, the Plus 1, offering analogue joystick and parallel ports, together with cartridge slots into which ROM cartridges, providing software, or other kinds of hardware expansions, such as disc interfaces, could be inserted.<ref name="electronuser198407p1" /> Acorn also produced a dedicated [[Floppy disk|disc]] expansion, the Plus 3, featuring a disc controller and 3.5-inch floppy drive.<ref name="plus3"/>

For a short period, the Electron was reportedly the best selling micro in the [[United Kingdom]],<ref name="ElectronUser198601">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/ElectronUserVol3/Electron%20User%20%20Vol%203%20No.5#page/n6/mode/1up |magazine=Electron User |volume=3 |issue=5 |page=7 |publisher=Database Publications |title=Spectrum Toppled |date=February 1986 |access-date=2015-11-01}}</ref> with an estimated 200,000<ref name="homecompweekly19850730">{{ cite news | url=https://archive.org/details/home-computing-weekly-123 | title=Olivetti cash revives Acorn | work=Home Computing Weekly | date=30 July 1985 | access-date=27 November 2020 | page=1 }}</ref> to 250,000 machines<ref name="electronuser198606">{{ cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/stream/ElectronUserVol3/Electron%20User%20%20Vol%203%20No.9#page/n4/mode/1up | title=Is a new model on its way? | magazine=Electron User | date=June 1986 | access-date=27 November 2020 | volume=3 | issue=9 | page=5 | quote=They figure that if the public wants Electrons, and more than 250,000 have been sold so far, then the time may be ripe to bring out an enhanced model }}</ref> sold over its entire commercial lifespan. With production effectively discontinued by Acorn as early as 1985,<ref name="acornuser198505a"/> and with the machine offered in bundles with games and expansions, later being substantially discounted by retailers, a revival in demand for the Electron supported a market for software and expansions without Acorn's involvement.<ref name="electronuser198605"/> Its market for games also helped to sustain the continued viability of games production for the BBC Micro.<ref name="diskuser198810_gameplan"/>