Systems

BBC Micro

The educational powerhouse

Acorn's BBC Micro brought computing to British schools, taught a generation to program, and spawned the ARM processor architecture.

Spectrum home-computer6502british-computingeducational 1981–1994

Overview

The BBC Micro was born from a television programme. When the BBC planned a computer literacy series, they needed a machine to recommend. Acorn Computers won the contract, and their BBC Micro became the standard in British schools. More expensive than the Spectrum, better built, with superior BASIC—it educated a generation even if it never dominated bedrooms.

Fast facts

  • Manufacturer: Acorn Computers.
  • Launch: December 1981.
  • Price: £299 (Model A), £399 (Model B).
  • CPU: MOS 6502A at 2 MHz.
  • RAM: 16KB (Model A), 32KB (Model B).
  • Graphics: 8 display modes, up to 640×256 or 160×256 with more colours.
  • Sound: Texas Instruments SN76489, 3 channels plus noise.
  • BBC connection: tied to BBC’s Computer Literacy Project.

The BBC Computer Literacy Project

The British Broadcasting Corporation wanted to teach computing:

  • TV series explaining concepts
  • A recommended computer for viewers
  • Acorn beat Sinclair for the contract
  • The “BBC Micro” branding gave instant credibility
  • Schools adopted it widely

Technical excellence

The BBC Micro was well-engineered:

  • BBC BASIC: arguably the best 8-bit BASIC, with named procedures and inline assembler.
  • Expansion: Tube interface allowed second processors (Z80, 6502, 32016, ARM).
  • Networking: Econet for school computer labs.
  • Build quality: solid keyboard, reliable hardware.
  • Documentation: excellent manuals and programming guides.

Educational dominance

British schools standardised on BBC Micros:

  • Government funding: subsidised purchases for education.
  • Curriculum integration: programming taught using BBC BASIC.
  • Networking: Econet connected classroom machines.
  • Longevity: remained in schools well into the 1990s.

The gaming library

Despite educational focus, games existed:

  • Elite (1984): revolutionary space trading game.
  • Chuckie Egg: platform classic.
  • Repton: puzzle-platformer series.
  • Citadel: atmospheric adventure.

Fewer games than Spectrum or C64, but a devoted following.

The ARM legacy

Acorn’s most lasting contribution came from BBC Micro development:

  • Acorn RISC Machine: designed for BBC Micro successor.
  • ARM processor: became the world’s most-used CPU architecture.
  • Mobile revolution: ARM powers virtually every smartphone.
  • From classroom to pocket: BBC Micro’s descendants are everywhere.

Legacy

The BBC Micro proved computers belonged in education. Its BASIC taught clean programming habits. Its networking pioneered computer labs. And its ARM processor architecture, born from the need for a faster BBC Micro, now runs billions of devices.

See also