The BBC B Computer, introduced in 1982, was a home microcomputer designed by Acorn Computers for the BBC’s Computer Literacy Project. Its primary aim was to provide schools across the UK with an affordable yet powerful machine that could support educational programmes, particularly in the fields of computing and programming.
The BBC B was a significant step forward in personal computing at the time, featuring a 32-bit processor, the Acorn 6502, which was capable of running a variety of applications, including word processing, educational software, and games. It had 32KB of RAM, which could be expanded to 64KB with an additional module, and it came with a built-in version of the BBC BASIC programming language, making it particularly popular for teaching programming.
The computer was notable for its versatility and expandability, offering several input/output options including a cassette tape interface, a floppy disk drive, and support for a range of peripherals such as printers and additional memory modules. It also featured a distinctive 16-colour graphics display, which was advanced for its time.
The BBC B was well-regarded for its robust build quality and educational value, and it played a key role in introducing many students to the world of computers during the early 1980s. It remained in use in schools for many years after its release, leaving a lasting impact on the development of computing in the UK.