Which computer to purchase?

[Spazmonkey]

I want to get an 8-bit computer, but I'm not entirely sure which to get. Is there one that is able to play all of the games available, or one that comes close to it? Another question, what kind of monitor can it hook up to, if one I stumble across doesn't come with it.

[mimo]

I want to get an 8-bit computer, but I'm not entirely sure which to get. Is there one that is able to play all of the games available, or one that comes close to it? Another question, what kind of monitor can it hook up to, if one I stumble across doesn't come with it.

Do a search for which is the best 8bit etc.

Sounds like a 130xe would be your best bet, but an 800xl would do the job nicely as most games are 64k or lower. you can hook up to an Atari ST or C= monitor, but you can also use your standard TV, either s-video, composite or nasty RF.

Edited November 5, 2008 by mimo

[+bob1200xl]

wow... you're going to get answers all over the place to that question.

 

If you're just going to play games you could probably use an 800XL, although some old games will require a translator disk. Even then, there are a few games that need 4 joystick ports. No stock machine is going to do it all for you, I'm afraid.

 

As far as a monitor is concerned, get a nice TV with s-video and composite inputs. You'll need a cable, too.

 

Enjoy!

 

Bob

 

 

 

I want to get an 8-bit computer, but I'm not entirely sure which to get. Is there one that is able to play all of the games available, or one that comes close to it? Another question, what kind of monitor can it hook up to, if one I stumble across doesn't come with it.

[Spazmonkey]

...... No stock machine is going to do it all for you, I'm afraid.

 

Does that mean that I can modify one to my whims, and get it to be a coveted universal machine? If that's the case, then should I simply pick out which I like the best, or is there one that can be upgraded the most? Sorry for the questions, it's just there's quite a selection of 8-bit machines, and I want to have the largest selection possible of a game library.

[mimo]

atari 800xl 32-in-1 OS from Atarimax, 512K Ram upgrade from MegaHz, supervideo mod.(can also do this to a 1200xl-the most moded Atari or a 600XL with a bit of extra work.)

Other option is a 130XE with 320K Ram upgrade, and again 32-in-1 OS

Only thing you are missing is 4 joystick ports that the 400/800 have, but they can't be upgraded to XL/XE spec (yet)

[Spazmonkey]

atari 800xl 32-in-1 OS from Atarimax, 512K Ram upgrade from MegaHz, supervideo mod.(can also do this to a 1200xl-the most moded Atari or a 600XL with a bit of extra work.)

Other option is a 130XE with 320K Ram upgrade, and again 32-in-1 OS

Only thing you are missing is 4 joystick ports that the 400/800 have, but they can't be upgraded to XL/XE spec (yet)

 

 

Sounds awesome, I don't even know four people who will even want to play with me, so when the time comes that four player port exists, I'll be ready for it. Thanks for the help! On a side note, surely that won't run me much for the upgrades since they are small in memory, right?

[Scream And Fly]

My personal favorite is the modded Atari 400. But I also like the 1200XL too for its keyboard.

[+bf2k+]

I'd go for 130xe or 800xl - the 800xl is probably the easiest to find.

[Spazmonkey]

Yeah, the 800XL looks pretty slick, and I already have my eyes on one. Well, Christmas is around the corner..... and if anyone has any good deals they wanna send my way....

[mimo]

check out Atarimax Can't recomend Steve enough, while you are there buy an SIO2PC interface

Steve also sells RAM upgrades although they are not listed on his site. He goes by the name CLASSICS on this site

[spookt]

My 'workhorse' machine (or should that be 'playhorse'?) is a 256Kb 800XL with a 32in1 OS upgrade and a home made SVideo cable. If you can find a 1200XL I guarantee you'll love it and that's the machine I use second. You may want to drop an OS upgrade in there for compatibility though. I have a few XEs but I don't use them much because of the poor keyboards, although there are solutions available for that problem too.

 

A big +1 on the recommendation for Steve at Atarimax. A great guy to deal with. IMHO the Atari scene would be so much poorer without him (the same can be said for many others also of course )

 

At the risk of hijacking this thread - are the 512Kb upgrades from MegaHz available to buy ? Does anyone have contact info for him or details of how to order ? I'd love to expand my 800XL so I can run things like BombJack on real kit.

Edited November 6, 2008 by spookt

[littleman jack]

An upgraded 600XL is quite nice. Small, flashy, and plays most of the games.

 

And the original 800 is always a good choice. Built like a tank, great reception, and plays all the old Synapse and Imagic games (won't play the largest XL/XE games however).