RISC OS emulators: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:03, 1 September 2026

RISC Machines

Developer	Acorn
Type	Computers
Release date	1987
Predecessor	BBC Micro
Emulated	✓

For emulators that run on RISC OS, see Emulators on RISC OS.

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The Risc PC is Acorn Computers's RISC OS/Acorn RISC Machine computer, launched on 15 April 1994, which superseded the Acorn Archimedes.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 allow 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 / 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.