News from Acorn Computers - Release Date: 15 November 1994 

Acorn Appoints ZCL As Sole UK Retail Distributor For A3010 range  - world's 
lowest priced 32-bit RISC computer 

Acorn Computers Ltd, the world's first supplier of 32-bit RISC personal 
computers, has appointed ZCL plc as sole distributor of its popular A3010 
Action Pack and Learning Curve products, as part of its extensive 
pre-Christmas sales push. The distribution agreement means that the Acorn 
range, with its competitive #299 entry-level price point, is strongly 
positioned to fill the gap left by the Amiga in the marketplace this 
Christmas. 

Terry Shurwood, Retail Sales Manager at Acorn Computers, comments: "Acorn's 
decision to reduce the prices of the A3010 range by up to 25% puts our 
RISC-based computers and software bundles in the same price bracket as games 
consoles. The opportunity this presents to dealers, keen to take advantage 
of the profitable Christmas market, is immense. Our agreement with ZCL means 
even more dealers can offer parents the chance to give their children the 
full benefits of a proper keyboard-based computer which can play games, run 
educational and business software and print to a printer." 

Don Carter, Chairman of ZCL plc, comments: "The once a year Christmas market 
is a crucial time for ZCL and its dealer base and having the right product 
available at the right price is critical. We knew it was unlikely Commodore 
would be back for Christmas and that the absence of the Amiga would leave 
the Christmas market going begging.  We have been aware of Acorn for a long 
while and in negotiation for a number of weeks and I am delighted to have 
come to this agreement with them. I am sure they will do very well in the 
next few months." 

The three software bundles available with the A3010 - Action Pack, Early 
Years and Learning Curve - are designed to meet 'edutainment' and home 
computing needs.  Action Pack retails at #299.00 inc VAT, while the Early 
Years and Learning Curve bundles are priced at #399.00 inc VAT. 

ZCL plc will be distributing the Acorn range to its 700 strong independent 
dealer base through the group's trade distribution company, Taurus 
Distribution.  The products will also be available through ZCL's 20 Calculus 
retail outlets. Acorn will continue to supply its existing direct account 
dealer network and High Street multiples. 

ZCL plc has been a distributor to the independent sector for 12 years and 
handles the full Panasonic range including 3DO, Atari Jaguar, Hyundai and 
Calibra PCs. 

Founded in 1978, with 1993 revenues of #54.3m, Acorn Computers is the 
premier supplier of IT solutions to UK education and has been the leading 
provider of 32-bit RISC based personal computers since 1987.  Acorn works 
closely with a strong community of industry partners, users and software 
developers to provide innovative technology solutions for the education, 
consumer, publishing and international markets. 

The Acorn Computer Group is a holding company for Acorn Computers Limited, 
Acorn Australia, Acorn New Zealand, Acorn GmbH and Online Media.  Acorn 
Computer Group owns 43% of ARM Ltd.  Online Media, a division of the Acorn 
Computer Group, was launched in 1994 with the mission to design world class, 
interactive multimedia products. 

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