New Atari PC Computer?

[Curt Vendel]

Question ---

 

If there was a modern PC recreation of an Atari computer that would run Windows or Linux and could play games on it through emulation, which classic Atari case design would you choose as being the most wanted and most representative of the classic Atari to be made today???

[TwinChargers]

I'd have to say that the 800XL is the most iconic of the three options and in my opinion the most visually appealing to this day, so it gets my vote.

[carmel_andrews]

I think this is curts secret plan...getting atari back into h/w manufacturing (albeit via a 3rd party manufacturer)

 

Let's hope that Atari did or do a better decent job at positioning and marketing the system (or is that going to be your job curt)

[Chuck D. Head]

I voted for ST, but this is based on the retro aesthetics and the 10-key pad; I really am ignorant of the signifigance of the machines relative to one another. I loooove the look of the dedicated F-keys on the ST. Morgan

[+orpheuswaking]

800

[mckafka99]

Perhaps the old Atari vs Commodore wars are beginning anew - http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/111/1116901p1.html

 

If so, sign me up for an 800xl replica! :-)

Edited August 30, 2010 by mckafka99

[nathanallan]

The ST design got my vote. I love the F keys, too, but just love the overall sleekness of it. I also love the diagonal grill. Sexy

[TwiliteZoner]

I voted ST as well, but any of the above would be phenomenal.

[+Stephen]

I had to choose the 130XE. It's the Atari I have been using since 1988 (minus a short 5 or 6 year period when it was in storage). I love the clean lines and it doesn't take up much desk space. But I would gladly take any of the above three, and I will certainly not "argue" about which machine looks best.

[Pioneer4x4]

I picked 800 xl, but actually I prefer the XEGS, matching keyboard, gun...

[SoulBlazer]

I picked 800 xl, but actually I prefer the XEGS, matching keyboard, gun...

 

Count me in for the 800 also.

[jaybird3rd]

Interesting idea. If Atari is after a retro-themed gaming computer, they would probably be served better by going with an 800XL-styled design (or, even better, an updated 400/800-styled design), since those machines are more recognizable classic computers than the 130XE or the ST series.

 

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of it.

[+remowilliams]

The XL case is certainly iconic, but the keyboard (if made the same) for operating anything other than an XL just isn't really suitable.

[Goochman]

I voted for the 800XL (guess the Tank 800 isnt a good fit) - but I wouldnt be disappointed witht he 1040ST case either - I thought that was a great design back then (I like the Mega ST design even better )

[The_Laird]

Has to be the ST for me. A PC in a ST case would be so sweet

[+DarkLord]

I'm gonna vote ST as well - but I wish the "Mega STe" had been listed.

 

I just love that case!

[Gregory DG]

You already know my vote from Facebook Curt! 800XL!

[Animan]

If we could pick prototypes, i'd easily vote for this...

[+save2600]

I'd vote ST too. Any ST, even the Mega series looked pretty neat.

[littleman jack]

Original 800.

Or ST.

[nathanallan]

Animan, that looks SWEET!! Do you own that or is it just the picture? I've never even seen that thing, prototype or not.

 

Nathan

[Kr0tki]

800XL, without a doubt. Regan Cheng's design still looks modern, at the same being the most distinctive of all Atari 8-bits'.

Edited August 31, 2010 by Kr0tki

[mimo]

1200xl, 400 or xegs ( but lose the pastel buttons)

[carmel_andrews]

Curt...An idea

 

Make the system dual o/s, the main o/s for non emulation purposes, therefore encouraging software development on the new atari platform

 

i.e doing remakes and updated versions of classic or existing atari games, taking advantage of hard drives/ cd dvd devices and the new hardware the system will feature (in respect to updated sound and graphics hardware) as well as original gaming content, again to take advantage of the new hardware platform (so far as data access and storage is concerned as well as sound and graphics hardware)

 

preferably not windows, not linux, something unique to atari...but modern ofcourse

 

The second (sub) o/s would could be called 'emu or classic o/s' will drive the emulation part of the system (new platform) rather then keep all emulators tied into the system, the emu or classic o/s would allow 'passport o/s modules' namely o/s from other platforms/systems to be used with the emulator part of this new system/platform the emu or classic o/s system will be more then just an o/s, it will also act as a hardware configurator using the main systems hardware functions (including ram/i o devices etc) within the emulation sphere, all that happens is that once you plug in a different passport o/s module (working in tandem with the emu/classic o/s) will also have hardware configuration data that is sent to the hardware configurator subsystem (which will also work with the emu/classic o/s) the idea behind the hardware configurator is that, that systems emulator, be it an st emulator, amiga emulator, c64 emulator, not only emulates the standard hardware functions (including recently found software based hardware tricks) but also any or all hardware mod's and upgrades for that system,

 

To citing an a8 example here...i.e emulating various 1050 mods like usd/happy etc, emulating dual or stereo pokey (gumby, to give that upgrade it's original name), dual antic, l.e.m (when claus and bob1200 finally get it out of the door), vbxe, 16/32 bit proccessor upgrades (not neccessarily based on terbium/terium and the 65816, but also 68000 and variants, 80x86 and others) as well as the various memory upgrades and new techniques/systems for bank switching (like the one metalguy66 was proposing)...i think you get my drift here

 

To make the system popular, licence out the concept to rival classic computing and gaming platforms (A, so that their support can be guaranteed for supporting their system's passport o/s module and interchangeability for that o/s module (i.e you can use that module in systems compatible with this concept) also, so that more software can be developed and supported for the main platform and interchangeable between rival platforms (therefore guaranteeing software support)

 

To getting interest from the buying public, i suggest a different manufacturing process

 

Now, whilst the process i am suggesting/proposing isn't as well known in the US, it is very popular in both UK/Europe and in Asia

 

The process being fairtrade, which also incorporates/encompasses the manufacture and supply of end user product

 

I am sure that you can use the fair trade method of manufacturing not just for the keyboard/case and connectors etc but possibly even the pcb and components could be manufactured using the fairtrade manufacturing concept/process

 

Whilst the end product might have a slightly higher base price, compared to more traditional manufacturing processes, at least you are giving something back to the concept of fair trade which also ties in nicely with the concept of ressurecting designs/concepts from old school or classic systems

 

Just a thought, thats all

Edited August 31, 2010 by carmel_andrews

[Reaperman]

800xl without hesitation. It has a pleasing shape/color and I like the proportions better than even the smaller 600xl. I'd consider it attractive, even in a modern context.

 

The XE and ST cases were both a little cheap. A lot cheap really. They're from an era where Atari cared less about quality and more about cutting costs to hit a pricepoint their competition wouldn't match. I'm sure some people liked that era, but I'm not a fan.

 

I don't know about this whole idea though. I've been an 800XL owner since ~1984, so I'm probably in the target market, but because I do own real hardware (and modern accessories), I have little use for common software emulation, which I consider to be much worse than the setup I have. Probably a lot more expensive too. PAL compatibility is about all I lack.

 

Also, is there really any nostalgia for Atari computers? I like my XL considerably more than the consoles, but I don't feel that the general public, or even the general atari fan, feels the same.

Edited August 31, 2010 by Reaperman