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Rewrite with real citations from the Archimedes 440 Service Manual, the 1987 price list and Chris Whytehead. Corrected: the GBP2,644 figure is the GBP2,641.60 inc-VAT base price; the R140 drive is 60 MB not 52-53 MB and it cost GBP3,500 ex VAT; measured A440 performance is 4.56 MIPS. Added the two AA alkaline backup cells with Acorn part numbers and the 1.4 V per cell check. Removed stripped-citation prose and unsourced 18 MIPS / 43 MB claims. Fixed red links.
 
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{{Infobox computer
{{Infobox computer
| name        = Acorn Archimedes A440
| name        = Acorn Archimedes A440 and A440/1
| image        = [[File:Acorn_Archimedes_A440.jpg|250px]]
| image        = [[File:Acorn_Archimedes_A440.jpg|250px]]
| caption      = Acorn Archimedes A440
| caption      = Acorn Archimedes A440
| manufacturer = Acorn Computers Ltd
| manufacturer = Acorn Computers Ltd
| type        = Personal Computer
| type        = Personal computer (three-box desktop)
| release date = June 1987
| release date = A440 June 1987 (available November 1987); A440/1 May 1989
| discontinued = 1989
| discontinued = A440 1989; A440/1 1991
| price        = £2,299 (excluding VAT, 1987)
| price        = A440 £2,299 ex VAT (£2,641.60 inc VAT); A440/1 £2,499 ex VAT
| cpu          = ARM2 @ 8 MHz
| cpu          = ARM2 @ 8 MHz
| memory      = 4 MB RAM
| memory      = 4 MB RAM
| storage      = 3.5" floppy drive (800 KB), 20 MB ST506 hard drive
| storage      = 3.5" floppy drive; 20 MB ST506 hard disc (A440), 50 MB (A440/1)
| display      = Various resolutions up to 1152×896
| display      = Analogue RGB and high-resolution mono; up to 640×512 on a multisync
| sound        = 8-channel stereo, 8-bit
| sound        = 8-channel, 8-bit logarithmic (VIDC1a)
| os          = Arthur 1.2 (later upgradable to RISC OS 2)
| os          = A440: Arthur 1.2; A440/1: RISC OS 2.00
| predecessor  = [[BBC Master]]
| predecessor  = BBC Master series (no page yet)
| successor    = [[Acorn Archimedes A440/1]]
| successor    = [[Acorn Archimedes A540]]
| model        = AKB20 (A440), AKB44 (A440/1)
}}
}}
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
The '''Acorn Archimedes A440''' was the flagship of the original Archimedes range, announced in June 1987 with availability from November 1987. It had 4 MB of RAM and a 20 MB hard disc as standard, and it was the only 400-series machine Acorn is known to have actually shipped: the [[Acorn Archimedes A410|A410]] was announced and priced but slipped twice and probably never sold.<ref name="chris400">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/A400.html "Acorn Archimedes A400 Series"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History.</ref>


The '''Acorn Archimedes A440''' was the flagship model of the original Archimedes range, released in June 1987. Featuring 4 MB RAM and a 20 MB hard drive as standard, the A440 targeted professional users, universities, and high-end educational establishments requiring maximum performance from the revolutionary ARM architecture.
This page also covers the '''A440/1''' of May 1989, the MEMC1a-based replacement.


== Overview ==
== Prices ==


The A440 was launched in June 1987 alongside the A305 and A310, with the A440 priced at £2,299 excluding VAT and monitor . The A440 differed from the A410 in having 4MB RAM and a 20MB hard disc . The A410 was announced but may never have been actually sold - the July 1987 price list indicated it would be available 1st Quarter 1988, but the January 1988 price list said available 2nd Quarter 1988 .
From Acorn's 1987 retail price list, ex VAT:<ref name="price87">Acorn Computers Limited, ''High Performance Computer Systems Retail Price List'' and ''Pricing'' sheet, 1987. Hosted on this wiki: [[Acorn Archimedes Retail Price List 1987]].</ref>


A fully-specced A440 with 20MB hard disc, 4MB RAM and software weighed in at £2,644 . The machine represented Acorn's vision of a professional workstation built around their ARM RISC processor, competing against more expensive Unix workstations while offering superior price-performance ratios.
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:75%; text-align:center;"
! Product code !! Configuration !! RRP ex VAT !! RRP inc VAT
|-
| AKB20 || A440, no monitor || £2,299.00 || £2,641.60
|-
| AKB20/AKF01 || A440 with mono monitor || £2,349.00 || £2,699.10
|-
| AKB20/AKF11 || A440 with colour monitor || £2,499.00 || £2,871.60
|}


== Hardware Specifications ==
The £2,299 base price already includes the 4 MB of RAM and the 20 MB hard disc — those are what define the model, not extras. A figure of "£2,644" sometimes quoted for a fully-specified A440 is the £2,641.60 '''inc VAT''' base price, not a higher specification.<ref name="price87" />


=== Processor and Architecture ===
== What made it different from the 300 series ==
The A440 used the ARM2 processor running at 8 MHz, providing 32-bit processing with 26-bit addressing . The system was stated as running at 4.5+ MIPS, with some claims of 18 MIPS during tests . The performance increase was due to the fundamental architecture change from the 6502 models, with Acorn designing the ARM processor inspired by RISC work at Berkeley and Stanford Universities .


=== Memory ===
The A440 is not a 300-series board with more memory. It uses a different motherboard, part 277,300, which carries a '''built-in ST506/MFM hard disc controller''' — the 300 series has an unpopulated area where that circuit would go and can only take a hard disc on a podule.<ref name="chris400" /><ref name="chris300">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/A300.html "Acorn Archimedes A300 Series"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Machine-by-machine specification tables, part numbers and measured benchmark figures.</ref>
The A440 came with 4 MB RAM as standard , using the MEMC (Memory Controller) chip. This was the maximum configuration for the original Archimedes architecture using a single MEMC controller.


=== Storage ===
It also ships with a '''four-slot backplane''' (part 0277,040) as standard, where the 300 series has no expansion slots at all until an optional two-slot backplane is fitted.<ref name="chris400" />
The A440 included a 20 MB ST506 hard drive as standard , though some sources mention 43 MB drives in certain configurations. Unlike the A300 series, the A440 had a built-in ST506/MFM controller on the motherboard . The system also included a 3.5" floppy drive supporting 800 KB capacity.


=== Expansion ===
Unlike the A305 and A310, the A440 is not a BBC Microcomputer. Its keyboard has neither the red function keys nor the BBC logo above the numeric keypad.<ref name="chris400" />
The 400 series included four expansion slots and an ST506 controller for the internal hard drive . The A440 had a 4-slot backplane , providing substantial expansion capability for podules (Acorn's proprietary expansion cards).


=== Display and Sound ===
== Hardware ==
The system supported 256 colour modes from a palette of 4096 and featured 8-channel 8-bit stereo sound . High-resolution monochrome display modes were offered by the A440 , with resolutions up to 1152×896 pixels.


== Operating System ==
* '''ARM2''' (VLSI VL2333-QC) at 8 MHz, 32-bit with 26-bit addressing, with the '''MEMC1''' (VL2304) memory controller, '''VIDC1a''' (VL2303A) video and sound controller and the IOC<ref name="chris400" />
* '''4 MB''' of DRAM, the maximum a single MEMC addresses<ref name="chris400" />
* '''20 MB ST506 hard disc''' on the on-board MFM controller; Chris Whytehead's machine carries a Tandon TM 362<ref name="chris400" />
* '''Sony MP-F63W-00D''' 3.5-inch floppy drive<ref name="chris400" />
* Four podule slots on the standard backplane<ref name="chris400" />
* Screen modes and video output levels are the same as the 300 series — see [[Acorn Archimedes A305#Display]]<ref name="sm300">Acorn Computers Limited, ''Archimedes 300 Series Module Level Service Manual'', part number 0476,140, Issue 1, April 1988. Section 1.2 Technical Specification, section 5 Connectors, interfaces, links and test points, and appendices 7.1 and 7.2. Hosted on this wiki: [[Archimedes 300 Series Service Manual]].</ref>


The A440 was shipped with Arthur 1.2 . Arthur featured a primitive task-switching GUI, with version 0.30 released in June 1987 and 1.20 in September . For version 2 (October 1988), Arthur was renamed to RISC OS, which featured an updated GUI enabling co-operative multitasking of applications .
Acorn quoted 4 MIPS for the Archimedes generally; the measured figure for Chris Whytehead's A440 under RISC OS 2.00 is '''4.56 MIPS''' on ARMSi v4.0 and 5,383 Dhrystones per second.<ref name="chris400" /> Claims of 18 MIPS that appear in some contemporary reporting are not supported by any measurement on a documented machine.


Earlier models which shipped with Arthur could be upgraded to RISC OS 2 by replacing the ROM chips containing the operating system . RISC OS 2 was a vast improvement over Arthur, allowing multitasking of programs with certain limitations .
== Backup batteries ==


== Market Position and Reception ==
The A440 uses '''two LR06 (AA size) 1.5 V manganese alkaline cells''' fitted inside the main unit, which Acorn specified for replacement once a year. They are Acorn part 0817,005, in battery holder assembly 0176,009, wired to connector PL11 on the main PCB. Acorn's own service check is that each cell should read above 1.4 V.<ref name="sm440">Acorn Computers Limited, ''Archimedes High Performance Computer Systems Model 440 Service Manual'', part number 0476,155, Issue 1, November 1988. Hosted on this wiki: [[Archimedes 440 Service Manual]].</ref>


The Archimedes was officially launched in the week of June 19, 1987, with Acorn claiming the four MIPS ARM RISC machines were the fastest microcomputers in the world . The Archimedes achieved the significant milestone of being the first commercially-available RISC-based machines ever .
They are not NiCd. Alkaline cells left in place for decades leak potassium hydroxide; the battery pack is clearly visible in the top-right of the case in photographs of surviving machines, close to the fan.<ref name="chris400" /> Remove them and inspect the holder and board before powering a stored machine — see [[Battery Explosion, Capacitor or Corrosion Damage]].


The ARM2 processed about 3x as many instructions per clock cycle as the Intel 80386 and 40% more per clock cycle than the Motorola 68030 . However, the Macintosh had been on the market since January 1984, the Atari ST since June 1985, and the Amiga since July 1985, giving them a 2-3 year head start .
== Operating system ==


== Unix Workstation Variants ==
The A440 shipped with '''Arthur 1.2'''.<ref name="chris400" /> Arthur's desktop was written in BASIC and was very limited. RISC OS 2.00, dated 5 October 1988, replaced Arthur and is a ROM-set swap on this board; most surviving A440s have been taken at least that far, and many to RISC OS 3.10 or 3.11.<ref name="chris400" /><ref name="chris300" />


The R140, based on the A440, was Acorn's entry machine into the Unix market, functionally identical to an A440 but provided with a 52-53 MB ST506 drive with RISC iX (Acorn's brand of Unix) . The R140 cost £3,500 excluding VAT . An ordinary A440/1 with at least 4 MB RAM and a suitable hard drive could also run RISC iX .
== The A440/1 (1989) ==


== Successor Models ==
In May 1989 Acorn replaced the 400 series with the A4x0/1 range, whose main change was the MEMC1a memory controller — Acorn described the gain as "a slight performance improvement".<ref name="chris4001">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/A4001.html "Acorn Archimedes A400/1 Series"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History.</ref> The A440/1, product code AKB44, had 4 MB of RAM and a 50 MB ST506 hard disc at £2,499 ex VAT, alongside the £1,199 [[Acorn Archimedes A410|A410/1]] and the £1,699 [[Acorn Archimedes A420|A420/1]].<ref name="chris4001" />


In May/July 1989, the A440 was replaced by the A440/1, which included the MEMC1a memory controller giving about 10% performance improvement . The A440/1 cost £2,499 excluding VAT and came with a 50-53 MB ST506 hard disc . The A410/1 cost £1,199, the A420/1 £1,699, and the A440/1 £2,499, all excluding VAT .
The A440/1 uses the Acorn Universal Board (part 0283,000) shared with the rest of the /1 range, with an HD63463P8 MFM controller, and the 0283,040 four-slot backplane.<ref name="chris4001" /> Its backup batteries are the same two AA alkaline cells, on connector PL10.<ref name="sm4001">Acorn Computers Limited, ''Acorn A400/1 &amp; R140 Service Manual'', 1989. Hosted on this wiki: [[Acorn A400-1 and R140 Service Manual]].</ref>


== Legacy ==
Sources differ on the A440/1's hard disc size: Chris Whytehead's range description says 50 MB, his A440/1 section says 53 MB, and his product-code index says 20 MB.<ref name="chris4001" /><ref name="chrisarc">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/Archimedes.html "Archimedes"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. Acorn product-code list for the Archimedes range.</ref> Acorn appears to have shipped more than one drive over the model's life, so treat any single figure as approximate and check the drive in the machine.


The A440 demonstrated the potential of RISC architecture in desktop systems and established ARM as a viable processor architecture. The idea for RISC architecture was first developed by John Cocke at IBM's Research Centre, with the name "RISC" coined at the University of Berkeley in California .
Badges and serial numbers on this range frequently disagree. Chris Whytehead's A440/1 carries serial number 27-AKB40-1007658 — an A410/1 code — on a machine with 4 MB and a hard disc, apparently a dealer upgrade with the front label changed.<ref name="chris4001" />


While commercial success was limited primarily to the UK education market, the technical achievements were substantial. The system proved that small companies could challenge established players through innovative design, and the ARM architecture would eventually become one of the most widely used processor designs in the world, particularly in mobile devices.
== R140: the Unix version ==


== See Also ==
The '''R140''' was Acorn's entry into the Unix workstation market, built on the same hardware as the A440: an ARM2 and 4 MB of memory, but with a larger '''60 MB''' ST506 drive. RISC OS 2 sat in ROM and was used only for the initial boot, which then loaded the disc-based RISC iX BSD Unix system.<ref name="riscix">Whytehead, Chris. [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/RISCiXComputers.html "RISC iX Computers"], Chris's Acorns / The Centre for Computing History. R140, R225 and R260 specifications and prices.</ref>
* [[Acorn Archimedes A305]]
* [[Acorn Archimedes A310]]
* [[Acorn Archimedes A440/1]]
* [[Acorn Archimedes A540]]


At launch the R140 without a monitor cost '''£3,500 ex VAT''' against the A440's £2,299; the AKA25 Ethernet podule was £599 and the AKA30 SCSI adapter £299.<ref name="riscix" /> Acorn documented the R140 alongside the A400/1 range in the [[Acorn A400-1 and R140 Service Manual]] hosted here.<ref name="sm4001" />


== External Links ==
== Maintenance and repair ==
* [https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/A400.html Chris's Acorns: Acorn Archimedes A400 Series]
 
* [https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/ Centre for Computing History]
* '''Remove the AA alkaline cells''' and inspect the holder and the board around it.
* '''Check the cells against Acorn's own limit''' of 1.4 V per cell if you are diagnosing lost configuration.<ref name="sm440" />
* '''ST506/MFM drives''' are usually the dead component on a surviving machine; see [[Hard Drive Maintenance and Repair]].
* '''Floppy drive''' — see [[Floppy Drive Repair]].
* '''Tools''' — see [[Recommended Tools]].
 
Acorn's fault-finding, links and test points, parts lists and circuit diagrams for the A440 are in the [[Archimedes 440 Service Manual]] hosted here; for the A440/1 they are in the [[Acorn A400-1 and R140 Service Manual]].
 
== See also ==
 
* [[Acorn Archimedes A305]] and [[Acorn Archimedes A310]] — the 1987 300 series
* [[Acorn Archimedes A410]] — the never-sold A410 and the A410/1
* [[Acorn Archimedes A420]] — the A420/1
* [[Acorn Archimedes A540]] — the 1990 flagship that replaced it
* [[Archimedes 440 Service Manual]]
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
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[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
[[Category:Acorn Computers]]
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