Long wait for Electron

Unless you strike lucky, you’ll have to wait weeks for Acorn’s new computer, the £199 Electron.There are eight possible customers for every single machine, and W.H. Smith’s merchandise controller Stewart Binnie said: “Our branches are under siege.”Production in Malaysia had not got under way as quickly as hoped, said Robert Blood, for Acorn.In a message to people waiting,
he said: “We would like to offer our sympathy, but for some months you won’t be able to walk into a shop and buy one off the shelf.”

Mr Binnic said: “We have been through this before with the ZX81 and the Spectrum.”

Demand had been particularly high because of the Electron’s relationship with the BBC micro. The Electron is often described as a “cut down” BBC computer because the two are so similar.

He expected supplies to improve this month and advised people to check regularly with their nearest branches.

He explained that Smiths did not operate waiting lists because customers would be annoyed at seeing reserved computers on the shelves.

Mr Blood said: “The situation of supply not meeting demand is going to last at least until Christmas. It’s going to be very hard to get hold of for some time yet.”

The plant in Malaysia was to have been turning out Electrons at 25,000 a month but was not yet up to capacity.

Another plant, in Wales, was due to begin production at the beginning of next year with a 100,000 initial order and a third plant was also planned.

There has, however, been something of a silver lining for Acorn. Customers finding there were no Electrons have been buying £399 BBC micros instead, said Mr Blood.

Computer sales had increased “quite markedly” in the run-up to Christmas, said Mr Binnie. But, in an increasingly sophisticated market, sales of some models had remained the same. He would not name them, commenting: “I think it’s going to be a ruthless Christmas.”

W.H. Smith & Son, Strand House, IONew Fetter Lane, London EC4A IAD
Acorn Computers, Fulbourn Road, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge CBI 4JN