Date : Fri Sep 10 08:15:41 1993 From : announce-request@acorn.co.uk To : All Subject: Acorn Launches Newer, Faster A5000s Acorn Computers has upgraded its range of Archimedes A5000 computers, allowing them to run 30% faster than their predecessors as well as boasting improved memory expansion. The new series of A5000s now runs at 33MHz, allowing performance to be increased by up to a third compared with the original 25 MHz models. In addition, changes to the design have been incorporated allowing RAM to be upgraded easily to 8 MBytes. Whilst improving the design of its A5000 range, Acorn has been able to hold down costs. This enables not only the product to be improved functionally, but has also allowed Acorn to reduce the prices significantly. At the heart of the New 33MHz A5000 is an ARM3 microprocessor which has been moved to the newer 0.8m fabrication process, ensuring trouble free operation at the 33MHz clock speed. Acorn is also moving its Floating Point Accelerator to this same process so that it too will be able to operate with the new 33MHz A5000. Shipments of the new FPA should be available before the end of the year. Acorn Product Manager, Neil Gardner, explained that the New 33MHz A5000 range would ensure continuing success for Acorn's family of Archimedes computers which is capable of addressing a wide range of requirements. "Raw performance has now been increased by over 30%. In terms of measured performance the A5000 is now faster than a typical 33MHz 486DX PC. Combined with the price reductions, around 10% across the range, the A5000 range is now even better value for money. "Acorn has also worked closely with its third party developers to ensure that 8MByte RAM upgrades can be fitted with the minimum of fuss and inconvenience," he added. The new A5000 comes in four configurations: top of the range has 4MB of RAM together with a 162MB hard disc drive; there is a 2MB/80MB model; and two network models. The latter provide access to both Acorn's proprietary network, offering connectivity between Acorn's 8-bit and 32-bit machines, as well as to industry standard networks via Ethernet and the TCP/IP protocol suite. Prices now start at #1275.74, ex VAT, for the 2MB/80MB model and #1445.96 for the 4MB/160MB model. The network models are #1175.74 and #1275.74 respectively for the Econet and Ethernet models. ENDS _______________________________________________________________________________ aglover@acorn.co.uk, moderator of comp.sys.acorn.announce. Submissions to announce-request@acorn.co.uk, other related mail to announcer@acorn.co.uk.