+++ A5000 learning curve +++
Andy Smith
A5000 Learning Curve
Acorn Computers has launched the newest addition to its series of Learning
Curve packs designed to serve the requirements of family computing in the
1990s.
In addition, the company is announcing its new JP150 printer which will be
available with its entire Learning Curve range.
The A5000 Learning Curve features the newly launched A5000 computer with its
ultra fast ARM3 processor and newly released operating system, RISC OS 3,
together with a powerful suite of software packages aimed at bridging the
gap between the office, school and home.
At the same time a new Learning Curve featuring the popular BBC A3000
computer has been released, with many of the features of the A5000 Learning
Curve included in the pack.
The concept of the Learning Curve pulls together the needs of computing in
schools, at the office and in the home. With increasing job mobility and
the widespread use of personal computers, working from home is becoming a
viable option for many people. At the same time the National Curriculum in
schools, currently taking effect, recommends that core subjects are taught
and learned with the help of computer technology.
The Learning Curve packs offer a choice of Acorn machines and accompanying
software to address the computing needs of the entire family. Both packs
feature 1st Word Plus (a professional standard word processing program
together with its own 70,000 word dictionary), Genesis Plus (a database
which can link text records, graphics, sound and animation), drawing, paint
and music programs and a number of games including the classic Pacmania and
the best selling Lemmings, newly launched on the Archimedes family of
computers.
Included with the A5000 Learning Curve is Acorn's Desk Top Publishing
program (which is available for the A3000 Learning Curve as an optional
extra).
To allow data from the office PC to be used, Acorn's latest PC Emulator
running with DR DOS 5.0 is supplied to allow PC compatible software such as
Wordperfect and Lotus 123 to be used. The new PC Emulator allows
multitasking within the RISC OS desktop which means that DOS programs can
now be run concurrently with RISC OS applications permitting the transfer
of data between the two.
Acorn's Consumer Unit Marketing Manager, Bob Coates said of the A5000
Learning Curve "With its ARM3 processor and the latest version of the PC
Emulator, together with standard IBM-type interfaces for printers and
peripherals, anyone who is at all uncertain of whether to go for a PC clone
or an Archimedes need hesitate no longer.
"For about the cost of a standard 386 PC clone you can now buy the A5000
Learning Curve which offers you the speed and software compatability of a
386 PC yet with all the added value of the Acorn world as well.
"We've effectively taken the worry out of making a clear cut decision of
whether to go down the well worn DOS path, or to go with the exciting new
future of RISC OS with all its inherent benefits. The A5000 Learning Curve
provides the best of both worlds."
Both Learning Curves also feature a two hour tutorial which comes on two
audio cassettes. This explains the versatility of the system and describes
some of the uses to which the wide range of accompanying software can be
put.
To complement the Learning Curve Systems, Acorn's new JP150 ink jet printer
is on offer as an option. It delivers high quality and superb graphics
output (at 300 dpi) in almost complete silence.
Bob Coates added "Now Learning Curve consumers can have almost laser printer
quality at near dot matrix prices. The JP150 is ideal for home use because
of its compact size and ease of use. I believe it will lead the home user
into the next generation of quality printing."
The A5000 Learning Curve complete with multiscan monitor sells at M-#1799.
The A3000 Learning Curve sells at M-#749 without monitor or at M-#999 with
an RGB monitor. The A5000LC Colour System with printer costs M-#2075 and
the A3000LC Colour System is M-#1275. All prices include VAT.
Issued by: Brian Salter Corporate Affairs Manager Acorn Computers Tel 0223
245200
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