BBC MICRO

EDUCATING A NATION - THE BRITISH BROADCASTING COMPUTER

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PROCESSOR MOS Technology 6502
@ 2 MHz
(Model B)
MEMORY 32 KB RAM (Model B)
32 KB ROM
BBC BASIC interpreter
GRAPHICS 7 display modes
Up to 640×256 (mono)
320×256 (8 colors)
Teletext mode
SOUND Texas Instruments SN76489
3 channels + noise
Internal speaker
STORAGE Cassette interface
5.25" floppy drives
Optional Econet networking
EXPANSION Tube interface (2nd processor)
Analogue port
User port, 1MHz bus

EVOLUTION TIMELINE

1981 - BBC Computer Literacy Project
BBC launches initiative to educate the nation about computers. Acorn Computers wins contract to build the BBC Micro. Revolutionary educational vision.
1981 - Model A & B Launch
Model A (16K RAM, £235) and Model B (32K RAM, £335) released. Massive demand overwhelms production. Waiting lists stretch for months.
1983 - Educational Adoption
Over 80% of UK schools adopt BBC Micro. Government subsidies make it the standard. An entire generation learns computing on the "Beeb."
1985 - BBC Master Series
Master 128 released with 128K RAM and enhanced features. Maintained compatibility while adding power. Professional capabilities expanded.
1986 - Archimedes Arrives
Acorn releases ARM-based Archimedes as BBC Micro's 32-bit successor. Revolutionary RISC architecture that would power future smartphones.
1994 - Production Ends
Official production ceases after 13 years. Approximately 1.5 million units sold. Left indelible mark on British computing culture.

LEGENDARY GAMES

ELITE
1984 | Acornsoft
THE definitive BBC Micro game. Ian Bell and David Braben's 3D space trading masterpiece. 8 galaxies, 2048 planets, all in 32K. Procedural generation genius. Changed gaming forever.
CHUCKIE EGG
1983 | A&F Software
Classic platform game where Hen-House Harry collects eggs while avoiding hens. Simple concept, addictive gameplay. Became one of the most iconic BBC Micro games.
REVS
1984 | Acornsoft
Geoff Crammond's revolutionary Formula 3 racing simulator. Realistic physics and handling. Featured actual Silverstone circuit. Precursor to his Grand Prix series.
REPTON
1983 | Superior Software
Boulder Dash-inspired puzzle game with a British twist. Guide Repton through underground caves, collect diamonds, solve puzzles. Spawned successful series.
GRANNY'S GARDEN
1983 | 4Mation
Educational adventure game that defined a generation of British schoolchildren. Search the magical kingdom for the King and Queen's children. Nostalgia incarnate.
CITADEL
1985 | Superior Software
Sprawling platform adventure with vast interconnected rooms. Non-linear exploration, multiple objectives. Technical showcase of smooth scrolling and detailed graphics.

EDUCATIONAL LEGACY

The BBC Micro's impact on British education cannot be overstated. It wasn't just a computer—it was a national educational infrastructure.

Computer Literacy Project

The BBC's Computer Literacy Project combined television programming with hands-on computing. The series taught millions of Britons about programming, making computing accessible to everyone, not just hobbyists.

Professional Features

Unlike competitors focused on gaming, the BBC Micro was a serious machine. The Tube interface allowed connection to second processors (6502, Z80, 80x86, ARM), making it genuinely expandable for professional and educational applications.

Networking Pioneer

Econet, Acorn's proprietary networking system, allowed schools to connect BBC Micros years before networking became common. File servers and shared resources were revolutionary for education in the 1980s.

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

The BBC Micro was over-engineered in the best possible way. Where competitors cut corners, Acorn built a tank.

Build Quality

Heavy metal chassis, professional keyboard, extensive I/O ports. BBC Micros from the 1980s still work today. Schools abused them for decades and they kept running.

BBC BASIC

Not just any BASIC—BBC BASIC was one of the best dialects ever created. Structured programming, inline assembler, procedure calls, powerful graphics commands. Many professional programmers credit it as their introduction to proper programming.

ARM's Genesis

The BBC Micro led directly to ARM processors. Acorn's work on the Archimedes successor created the ARM architecture that now powers billions of smartphones and tablets worldwide. The BBC Micro's legacy powers your phone.