Acorn launches the A5000 Learning Curve Acorn Computers has launched the newest addition to its series of Learning Curve packs designed to serve the requirements of family computing in the 1990s. In addition, the company is announcing its new JP150 printer which will be available with its entire Learning Curve range. The A5000 Learning Curve features the newly launched A5000 computer with its ultra fast ARM3 processor and newly released operating system, RISC OS 3, together with a powerful suite of software packages aimed at bridging the gap between the office, school and home. At the same time a new Learning Curve featuring the popular BBC A3000 computer has been released, with many of the features of the A5000 Learning Curve included in the pack. The concept of the Learning Curve pulls together the needs of computing in schools, at the office and in the home. With increasing job mobility and the widespread use of personal computers, working from home is becoming a viable option for many people. At the same time the National Curriculum in schools, currently taking effect, recommends that core subjects are taught and learned with the help of computer technology. The Learning Curve packs offer a choice of Acorn machines and accompanying software to address the computing needs of the entire family. Both packs feature 1st Word Plus (a professional standard word processing program together with its own 70,000 word dictionary), Genesis Plus (a database which can link text records, graphics, sound and animation), drawing, paint and music programs and a number of games including the classic Pacmania and the best selling Lemmings, newly launched on the Archimedes family of computers. Included with the A5000 Learning Curve is Acorn's Desk Top Publishing program (which is available for the A3000 Learning Curve as an optional extra). To allow data from the office PC to be used, Acorn's latest PC Emulator running with DR DOS 5.0 is supplied to allow PC compatible software such as Wordperfect and Lotus 123 to be used. The new PC Emulator allows multitasking within the RISC OS desktop which means that DOS programs can now be run concurrently with RISC OS applications permitting the transfer of data between the two. Acorn's Consumer Unit Marketing Manager, Bob Coates said of the A5000 Learning Curve "With its ARM3 processor and the latest version of the PC Emulator, together with standard IBM-type interfaces for printers and peripherals, anyone who is at all uncertain of whether to go for a PC clone or an Archimedes need hesitate no longer. "For about the cost of a standard 386 PC clone you can now buy the A5000 Learning Curve which offers you the speed and software compatability of a 386 PC yet with all the added value of the Acorn world as well. "We've effectively taken the worry out of making a clear cut decision of whether to go down the well worn DOS path, or to go with the exciting new future of RISC OS with all its inherent benefits. The A5000 Learning Curve provides the best of both worlds." Both Learning Curves also feature a two hour tutorial which comes on two audio cassettes. This explains the versatility of the system and describes some of the uses to which the wide range of accompanying software can be put. To complement the Learning Curve Systems, Acorn's new JP150 ink jet printer is on offer as an option. It delivers high quality and superb graphics output (at 300 dpi) in almost complete silence. Bob Coates added "Now Learning Curve consumers can have almost laser printer quality at near dot matrix prices. The JP150 is ideal for home use because of its compact size and ease of use. I believe it will lead the home user into the next generation of quality printing." The A5000 Learning Curve complete with multiscan monitor sells at £1799. The A3000 Learning Curve sells at £749 without monitor or at £999 with an RGB monitor. The A5000LC Colour System with printer costs £2075 and the A3000LC Colour System is £1275. All prices include VAT. Issued by: Brian Salter Corporate Affairs Manager Acorn Computers Tel 0223 245200