Acorn RISC machines

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RISC Machines
Acorn Archimedes A3000 Computer Main Unit.jpg
Developer Acorn
Type Computers
Release date 1987
Predecessor BBC Micro
Emulated

Acorn RISC Machines are a series of computers based on ARM architecture processors and the RISC OS operating system.

The Acorn Archimedes is a family of personal computers designed by Acorn Computers Ltd in Cambridge, England. The first model was introduced in 1987, and systems in the Archimedes family were sold until the mid-1990s. ARM's RISC design, a 32-bit CPU (using 26-bit addressing), running at 8 MHz, was stated as achieving 4.5+ MIPS, which provided a significant upgrade from 8-bit home computers, such as Acorn's previous machines. The first models were named "BBC Archimedes", yet the name "Acorn Archimedes" is commonly used to describe any of Acorn's contemporary designs based on the same architecture.

The Risc PC is Acorn Computers's RISC OS/Acorn RISC Machine computer, launched on 15 April 1994, which superseded the Acorn Archimedes. The Acorn PC card and software allows PC compatible software to be run. Like the Archimedes, the Risc PC continues the practice of having the RISC OS operating system in a ROM module.

The A7000 and A7000+ were Acorn Computers' entry level computers based somewhat on the Risc PC architecture. Compared to the Risc PC, it was the ideal educational multimedia computer.

After the breakup of Acorn Computers in 1998, other companies have led on to making RISC based computers.

Emulators

Archimedes

Name Platform(s) Latest Version FLOSS Active Recommended
PC / x86
Arculator Windows Linux 2.0
ArcEm Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD AmigaOS RiscOS 1.50
VirtualRPC Windows macOS ? TBD [N 1]
MAME Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 0.264
  1. Requires purchase.

RISC PC / A7000

Name Platform(s) Latest Version FLOSS Active Recommended
PC / x86
RPCEmu Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 0.9.3
VirtualRPC Windows macOS ? TBD [N 1]
MAME Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD 0.264
  1. Requires purchase.