In preparation for its attack on the lucrative UK home computer market during the lead up to Christmas, Acorn Computers has announced major pricing reductions across its product range, with the selling price of entry level computers cut 20% from #499 to #399 inc. VAT. The new prices, which take effect from 5th September 1993 onwards, underpin and complement Acorn's new range of hardware and software packages launched today for the home computing consumer market. In order to maintain a consistent price positioning strategy throughout its entire product range, Acorn has correspondingly reduced the prices of the rest of the consumer portfolio as well as the UK education product range. Commenting on these changes, Mike O'Riordan, Acorn's Sales and Marketing Director, stated: "In 1992, Acorn's sales in the UK consumer sector grew by 60% compared with the previous year. We intend to build upon this success and to increase still further our share of this market. Our new prices will ensure we are well positioned to achieve our future growth targets in the home computing market. "The revised prices also make Acorn's offering to educational establishments even more cost effective at a time when schools are having to consider how best they can achieve value for money with their IT budgets. Acorn is the leading supplier of computers to schools in the UK because the special features of our computers give the greatest overall value to those in education. This pricing change will reinforce our position." Ends _______________________________________________________________________________ aglo...@acorn.co.uk, moderator of comp.sys.acorn.announce. Submissions to announce-requ...@acorn.co.uk, other related mail to announ...@acorn.co.uk.PRESS RELEASE MELBOURNE, 2nd September 1993 Acorn Computer Prices Tumble Acorn today have announced a major price reduction in all their desktop and portable computer lines which sees up to a massive 25% off the price of some products. In a move which is set to further broaden Acorn's appeal to the education market, Acorn continue to have on offer the most inexpensive RISC-based desktop computer in the market today. Acorn Australia's Managing Director, Mr Greg Sebire said that Acorn had taken the step to further develop its already growing education market. "A recent report from Griffith University in Queensland shows Acorn as now being found in 22% of Australian schools", Sebire said. "These new price reductions are set to lift that penetration even further", he added. He went on to say that Acorn Computers have always tackled the education market from a strictly curriculum perspective, promoting as its first priority the value of the high quality educational software available for Acorn. "Our educational software is second to none, and this is recognised by the schools we deal with who are embracing academic excellence as a fundamental component of their school philosophy", he added. The most significant reduction in price is for the Acorn A4000 HD80 which is reduced from $2650 to $1995 for education. This is seen as an important price point for schools. Just one year ago Acorn were selling the single floppy A3000 for this price. Schools can now purchase the A4000 RISC-based computer with multiscan monitor and 80 Mbyte hard drive for under $2000. This represents exceptional value, making Acorn systems an option for every school in Australia. The reductions also see the Acorn A5000 HD80 move down 21% to $2695 (previously $3445), the entry level Acorn A3020 down 10.6% to $1695 ($1895), and the Acorn A4 HD60 portable down to $2995 ($3595). "Our strength, and the uniqueness of what we offer is clearly focussing on providing computer technology for the curriculum coupled with outstanding software. We are providing the best solution for the needs of the classroom. That includes RISC-based technology not available on any other platform, software and support that helps take classroom learning beyond the mundane." "We won't get distracted from that focus," he said." Its just that we have the added advantage of being exceptionally price competitive. This is good news for schools at a time when they are budgeting for 1994", he added. All Acorn's systems use as their core the RISC processor developed by ARM Ltd, a joint-venture company owned by Acorn and Apple Computer. A summary of the price reductions are as follows:- PRICE REDUCTION (education prices ex-tax):- Old New Reduction Acorn A3020 Colour System $1895 $1695 10.6% Acorn A4000 Multiscan System $2650 $1995 24.7% Acorn A5000 HD80 $3445 $2695 21.2% Acorn A5000 HD170 $3995 $3295 17.5% Acorn A4 Portable $3595 $2995 16.7% ends For further information, please call: Mr Peter Revell National Marketing Manager Acorn Computers Australia Pty Ltd 12 Gipps Street Collingwood Vic 3066 Tel (03) 419 3033 Fax (03) 419 2892 _______________________________________________________________________________ aglo...@acorn.co.uk, moderator of comp.sys.acorn.announce. Submissions to announce-requ...@acorn.co.uk, other related mail to announ...@acorn.co.uk.