Launched in May 1989 the A4x0/1 range of computers were improved versions of the old A4x0 range. In particular they included the MEMC1a memory controller which gave a slight performance improvement over the older systems. The range consisted of the A410/1 with IMB RAM and a floppy disc drive, the A420/1 with 2MB RAM, a 20MB ST506 hard disc and floppy disc drive and the A440/1 with 4MB RAM a 50MB ST506 hard disc and a floppy disc drive.

The Archimedes 410/1 system was the entry model of the Archimedes 400/1 range. Standard features included the Archimedes three-button mouse, 103-key 'enhanced PC' style keyboard, and both serial and parallel interface ports for connection to printers, modems and peripherals. The Archimedes applications software suite included programs that introduce you to the RISC OS way of working and help you make the most of your system.

1 Mbyte of RAM was standard, and the RISC OS operating system was held in the 0.5 Mbyte of ROM making more RAM available for applications and data. 3 Mbytes of additional RAM for really large applications, can easily be added at a later date, and all the RAM in the Archimedes 410/1 computer was
fully addressable by the operating system so no special software or reconfiguration was required if you upgraded.

Together with the 3.5-inch disc drive, using durable rigid-cased diskettes that store 800 Kbytes of programs or data in self-compacting format, the memory capacity of the Archimedes 410/1 computer allowed you to run large sophisticated programs without excessive disc swapping. Built-in graphics display controllers allowed you to choose from a range of colour and mono monitors to suit your budget and the applications you wish to run, and to upgrade to a higher specification monitor without buying an additional graphics card. Similarly, a hard disc controller was built in so that you could easily add a hard disc at a later date, and the expansion backplane allowed you to fit up to 4 special purpose expansion cards.

Manufacturer: Acorn
Date: 1987

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH43520. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.