Atari 8-bit
The Atari 8-bit computer series, launched in 1979 as the Atari Home Computer System, included the Atari 400 and 800. Powered by the 8-bit MOS Technology 6502 CPU and custom coprocessors, these computers offered advanced graphics and sound for their time.
The Atari 800 was the high-end model, while the 400 was a budget-friendly option with a membrane keyboard and 8 KB of RAM. Both supported plug-and-play peripherals via the Atari SIO serial bus, a precursor to USB technology. The architecture was later used in the 1982 Atari 5200 console, though the systems were not software-compatible.
Newer models followed, beginning with the short-lived 1200XL in 1983, replaced by the 600XL and 800XL. After Atari Corporation took over, the 65XE and 130XE were released in 1985, featuring a lighter design, two joystick ports, and built-in Atari BASIC. The 130XE had 128 KB of RAM.
In 1987, to compete with gaming consoles, Atari repackaged the 65XE as the XEGS, a hybrid console-computer compatible with 8-bit software and peripherals. This marked the final chapter of Atari’s 8-bit computer line.
Links
- Gury's Atari 8-bit Forever
- https://atariwiki.org Atari 8bit wiki
- Best of Atari XL/XE game music Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3
- Over 50 Atari 400/800 games in under 30 minutes 1000 Atari 8-bit games
- How Atari 8-Bit Computers Work! by The 8-Bit Guy
- Oxyron IC reference
- Altirra Hardware Reference Manual Latest (09/2024!) Atari XL hardware documentation
- C64 vs Atari 800XL C64 SID vs Atari Pokey
