What to get 800xl or 65XE

[Sky7]

I'm looking to jump into the 8bit Atari collecting and would like to get some opinions on which model to choose from between the 800xl and the 65XE. I will be using a SIO interface to load content and I do have a 1050 disk drive already. My concern is with the comparability issues with some older games. I have sourced a cartridge that will solve the comparability issues. The description of the cartridge is below:

 

TRANSLATOR CART(XL/XE ONLY. NOW YOU CAN HAVE FAST BOOT OF YOUR INCOMPATIBLE 400/800 PROGRAMS. NO WAIT TIME FOR THE TRANSLATOR DISK TO BOOT UP. THIS ALSO WORKS ON MANY 400/800 ONLY CARTS.)

 

So, should I go with a 800xl or should I go with a 65XE?

 

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

Regards,

Sky7

[jaybird3rd]

Both computers will exhibit the same compatibility issues; the OS is pretty much the same on both, if I understand correctly. I've never used the translator cartridge, but the disk-based translators I've tried work fine.

 

I own several XL and XE machines, and I will recommend the 800XL for the following reasons: I think the 800XL would be easier to find than a 65XE, at least here in the States, and the XL keyboards seem to be more popular than the XE keyboards, which many people find too mushy and vulnerable to yellowing. Both computers are 64K machines, which will be enough for just about all games made for the 400/800 series, plus the 800XL has the Parallel Bus Interface which the 65XE lacks (not the most important thing in the world for a gaming computer, but it's nice to know it's there). The 65XE also moved the cartridge port to the back of the computer, so using cartridges will be more difficult than the top-loading 800XL. Plus, the 800XL will match the 1050 that you already have.

 

Welcome to AtariAge, and have fun collecting! The 400/800 series are great classic computers.

Edited October 21, 2009 by jaybird3rd

[nathanallan]

Okay, you have to choose? I say go with the 800XL, simply because of the way carts get put in-- it's easier and less prone to damage when you go from the top down than from the rear. I already have had a prong break off from the 65XE cart slot, not really a big deal but I have to be more careful with carts.

 

And agreed, the keyboard does feel better than on a 65XE, it's a bit mushy, the 800XL is a bit more clicky and gives better feedback.

[oky2000]

Okay, you have to choose? I say go with the 800XL, simply because of the way carts get put in-- it's easier and less prone to damage when you go from the top down than from the rear. I already have had a prong break off from the 65XE cart slot, not really a big deal but I have to be more careful with carts.

 

And agreed, the keyboard does feel better than on a 65XE, it's a bit mushy, the 800XL is a bit more clicky and gives better feedback.

 

The 65XE keyboard is really horrible, something Sinclair would use but the 800XL has that nice solid build quality and an excellent keyboard for it's price range. Style wise I think an (unyellowed) XE will look better but that's just me. The cart slot being at the back is only an issue if you want to play a lot of cart games with your machine otherwise it's of no importance if all you are going to do is boot from floppy etc. I've got both but I'd never play a text adventure game on my 65XE whilst my 800XL works put it that way

[+Stephen]

Best Electronics sells keyboard upgrade kits (stiffer silicone "cups" for under the keycaps). I did this mod to one of my 130XEs, and will be doing it to the other one I have. To me, it feels better than my 1200XLs now. I prefer a very stiff keyboard, as I still use an IBM Model M style keyboard.

 

Stephen Anderson

[+wood_jl]

There are - as everyone has mentioned above - advantages/disadvantages to each, but will it really matter?

 

The keyboard is *definitely* better on the 800XL. I have not tried the key cups mentioned above but now I'm curious! But do you really do much typing on an 8-bit computer these days?

 

The cartridge port sucks on the 130XE/65XE. You have to line up the cart blindly in the back - or pick up the machine and look. At least that's what I had to do back in 1985 when I got my first new 130XE! Soon you get used to it though and it gets easy. If the machine is going to sit on the floor (like other game consoles sometimes do) I would think dust and fuzz from the carpet would also be more likely to "infect" the XE port. The cart - sticking out the back - is also in a more vulnerable position to damage. On the other hand, the 800XL cartridge port has little metal doors that get scratched up with use. But do you really play that many cartridges now days?

 

The 65/130XE also have S-video output on the monitor pins but you need a "special" cable - but available for a price. I don't use mine - I find the normal video output on my XL and XE both look great.

 

The 65XE has BASIC Rev. C built in - vs rev B in the 800XL (U.S.) But do you plan on doing heavy BASIC programming these days?

 

My 130XE (the one I use - other boxed up somewhere) is in beautiful shape, but the case is flimsy and "creaky". When typing, the case halves creak like they're not tight enough, though the screws are tight. Perhaps they didn't put enough screws in, or the cheap/flimsy case has warped slightly. I'm making more out of this than it really is - it's not like they move or it's even that noticable - but it's an irritant that's NEVER a problem on the superior-built 800XL.

 

I'd probably go with the 800XL. I couldn't choose, so I have both (like many people here - act. now I have 2 130XE and 4 800XL). I guess that means I still choose 800XL 2 to 1!!

 

Happy computing! It's a *great* time to be a retro A8 enthusiast!

[Lazarus]

800XL ofcourse.

[atariksi]

I'm looking to jump into the 8bit Atari collecting and would like to get some opinions on which model to choose from between the 800xl and the 65XE. I will be using a SIO interface to load content and I do have a 1050 disk drive already. My concern is with the comparability issues with some older games. I have sourced a cartridge that will solve the comparability issues. The description of the cartridge is below:

 

TRANSLATOR CART(XL/XE ONLY. NOW YOU CAN HAVE FAST BOOT OF YOUR INCOMPATIBLE 400/800 PROGRAMS. NO WAIT TIME FOR THE TRANSLATOR DISK TO BOOT UP. THIS ALSO WORKS ON MANY 400/800 ONLY CARTS.)

 

So, should I go with a 800xl or should I go with a 65XE?

 

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

Regards,

Sky7

 

Two more points not mentioned yet: (1) you can go for a 800XL that has most chips socketed so it's easy to fix and upgrade; 65XE/130XE have most chips soldered on the motherboard. (2) joystick clearance is smaller on 130XE/65XE DB9 ports.

[Marius]

I'd say: go for the 800XL.

 

without any updates/mods the screen output of the 800XL is better than the XE output. For me that is the only reason why I prefer the 800XL.

 

The first edition of the 800XL has a bit 'fuzzy' screen output, which i still prefer above the XE output. newer 800xl's have a sharper image.

 

Greetz

M.

 

p.s. someone asked her if there is still a lot of typing on these computers. YES in my case. I'm programming in Mac/65 a lot, and i hate crosscompilers. And indeed... typing on XL is fun, in stead of typing on XE which is horrible.

[Rybags]

I'd say 800XL, although the later 65XE which used a 130XE motherboard has the advantage of being easier to upgrade to 128K RAM.

[mimo]

either, but the xe will have s-video output as standard. XE keyboards are ok, just depends on how much typing you intend to do

[flashjazzcat]

I always found the XE keyboards OK, but my two machines both have "sprung" keys. The first (short lived) XE I had used rubber cups, IIRC, and that felt mushy. But I typed many hundreds of thousands of words on the second XE keyboard.

 

My 800XL initially had quite poor s-video output, but some simple modifications can really improve things if you're competent with a soldering iron. The 800XL keyboard is in an entirely different league to that of the XE, in my view. So well constructed: it's easy to see where the XEs saved on manufacturing costs.

 

Easy memory expansion is for sure the best reason to opt for an XE, but look out for some cheap and simple 1MB XL upgrades which should be available soon. I'll be getting one.

[TMR]

Bit of an AOL post, but i'd go for an 800XL as well for the cartridge slot placement and keyboard.

[MEtalGuy66]

800XL.. for sure..

 

Most ntsc 65xes have no way to hook up a PBI device..

 

800XL:

good keyboard

Good cart slot

Full PBI interface

most have socketed chips

 

65XE:

crappy keyboard

cart slot out the back (which sucks)

most NTSC units have no PBI/ECI interface.

almost all have soldered in chips..

 

 

 

it's a no brainer.. 800XL is the way to go..

[Allas]

800XL, robust and solid computer.

Inside have the same useful features that 65XE.