Acorn
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Acorn Atom
Released in 1981, Acorn's Atom was (like a
number of early
machines) available as either a ready-made machine or in kit form.
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BBC Master 128
While still basically the same design as the
other models,
the Master 128 had a number of differences including more memory and a
newer central processor. Unfortunately, the changes introduced some
compatibility
problems with existing software.
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BBC Model A
Launched in 1981 to coincide with a computer
literacy
drive by the BBC, the Model A was the cheaper of Acorn's two machines
at
£299. The machine's high cost was compensated for by very
impressive
expansion possibilities including disc drives, a second processor and
network
capabilities (Econet).
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BBC Model B
Launched along with the Model A, the Model B
came with
more memory and a price tag of £399.
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BBC Model B
Launched along with the Model A, the Model B
came with
more memory and a price tag of £399.
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Electron
Released in September 1983 as a low-cost
(£199),
slightly cut down version of the BBC Micro, the Electron could run some
of the software already available (a definite advantage for a new
machine),
but at about one third the speed.
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Amstrad
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CPC-464
Using the same approach to computers that they
used for
home audio equipment, Amstrad released the CPC464 in June 1984 as an
all-in-one
system comprising a main system unit with a built in cassette recorder
and either a colour (£399) or green screen (£299) monitor.
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CPC-6128
After assuring the potential purchasers that
the CPC664
was not going to be replaced by a 128k version (as had recently been
released
in the US), Amstrad replaced CPC664 with the CPC6128 in August 1985.
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CPC-664
In April 1985, the CPC464 was replaced by the
CPC664.
This was basically the same machine, but with a slightly improved
keyboard
and a 3" disc drive in place of the cassette recorder.
Along with the disc drive, Amstrad also
bundled a copy
of the CP/M operating system, to give access to a number of business
applications.
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ZX Spectrum+2
Shortly after Amstrad's aquisition of
Sinclair, the Spectrum+2
was released. Keeping the same basic machine as the Spectrum 128,
Amstrad
added a built-in cassette recorder and a real keyboard.
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ZX Spectrum+3
The Spectrum+3 was the fifth and final model
in the Spectrum
series, this time adding a 3" disc drive in place of the cassette
recorder.
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Apple
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Apple IIGS
Designed as an updated, but mostly compatable
version
of the earlier Apple II models, the Apple IIGS came with a bundled
monitor,
mouse and 3½" disc drive and looked surprisingly similar to
the company's Macintosh range (including a similar graphical user
interface).
The basic model included a monochrome monitor
and cost
£975.
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Apple IIe
Possibly intended to be more of a business
machine than
a home computer, the Apple IIe was a very popular machine (more so in
the
US than the UK).
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Applied
Technology
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MicroBee
Released by Applied Technology in 1982, the
MicroBee,
with its built-in word processor, BASIC language and serial
communications
software sold well to the Australian schools market.
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