AtariSociety #1 Posted October 8, 2010 Having been out of the Atari scene for a very long time (since the mid 90s) and just this year getting back into Atari, it has me wondering what the most current "popular" configs of Atari systems are the norm now. Back when I left Atari for the Mac platform for professional use, I was last on a Mega 2 ST pimping a Spectre GCR to run various Mac apps and was still running TOS 1.2 with various "quick" ST enhancements that made the OS seem faster and the icons look nicer than stock GEM, etc.... I am sure A Lot has changed. It seems the Falcon was the machine that people have been updating and mentions of the CT60 upgrades and all that I am sure has kept the Atari somewhat updated over the years. How about the OS? Back then TOS 1.x was the thing. What is the TOS of today? Or is TOS out the door and some other TOS based OS has taken reigns? So, if I was to try and be updated today in the Atari world, what is the current highest end Atari that people use or strive to have? Maybe certain OS enhancements are now the norm and the CT60 is still the big kahuna. So, spec a Atari system for me with the enhancements that would make the Atari the tip top it can be now in 2010. I do know about the FireBee and looks like a sweet board. tj Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AstFan #2 Posted October 9, 2010 Having been out of the Atari scene for a very long time (since the mid 90s) and just this year getting back into Atari, it has me wondering what the most current "popular" configs of Atari systems are the norm now. Back when I left Atari for the Mac platform for professional use, I was last on a Mega 2 ST pimping a Spectre GCR to run various Mac apps and was still running TOS 1.2 with various "quick" ST enhancements that made the OS seem faster and the icons look nicer than stock GEM, etc.... I am sure A Lot has changed... So, spec a Atari system for me with the enhancements that would make the Atari the tip top it can be now in 2010. Tip-top Atari in 2010 ? If you want to compete with some modern PC, then I can say only that it is not possible. Even announced Coldfire will be too-too slow in compare. Not to mention lack of SW, drivers. Fastest Atari ST based systems are, as is known CT63, Milan. What you can do with them is: running existing SW, what is compatible. Writing self something. Period. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Willsy #3 Posted October 9, 2010 I guess people run pretty much stock hardware, even today! Some enhancements people like to make: * Run on an LCD Monitor (VGA) - possible with correct cable * Use optical mouse * Use SD memory card storage system instead of floppies * IDE hard disks? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AstFan #4 Posted October 11, 2010 I guess people run pretty much stock hardware, even today! Some enhancements people like to make: * Run on an LCD Monitor (VGA) - possible with correct cable * Use optical mouse * Use SD memory card storage system instead of floppies * IDE hard disks? Right. Only thing what is not up to date may be: IDE hard disks. Instead them: Compact Flash cards. Then: 'instead of floppies' : I think that hard disk storage (what is SD in fact, looking by capacity, filesystem, drivers) is pretty different in many aspects than floppy storage. So, using SD, CF, hard disks is a new way of computer usage. For instance: playing games from hard disks requires new aproach, new solutions, adapting games, doing some help tools like Floppy Image Runner etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+DarkLord #5 Posted October 11, 2010 Hmm, I think people are doing a lot of things with their Atari's. Ram upgrades, OS upgrades, mass storage solutions, accelerators, and much more... I know I don't have any "stock" machines, per se. Here is a short list of my machines, and where I took them... Atari Falcon Was: 4 meg machine with 84 meg 2.5" internal HD, running at 16mhz. Became: 16 megs ST Ram/256 megs Fast Ram, 95mhz CT63, 80gig internal IDE hard drive, Liteon DVD writer, EtherNAT, all recased in a black Wizztronics rack mount. This machine uses MINT and Thing for its replacement OS.(follow the link to my website for pictures of this machine) Atari Mega ST2 Was: 2 meg machine with TOS 1.02, running at 8mhz. Became: 4 megs Ram with TOS 1.04, running at 16mhz via an Adspeed accelerator, with external 4gig hard drive and Plextor CDRW, and an EZquest 135 removeable. This machine is also using the Lantronix UDS 1100 serial to LAN converter for 'Net access. This ST runs my BBS. (pictures of it on my website as well). Atari STacy (portable ST) Was: 2 meg machine with TOS 1.04, running at 8mhz. Became: 4 meg machine still with TOS 1.04, but using the NeoDesk/Geneva replacement OS, running at 25mhz via a FastTech T25 accelerator, with a RalCool 1.44meg floppy drive upgrade, and an internal UltraSatan with 4gig SDcard(s). (work in progress - also still wanting to replace current LCD with a color LCD of same size) (no pictures yet, sorry). I've seen lots of post from other Atari people who have done similiar things and more, with their machines... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+orpheuswaking #6 Posted October 11, 2010 I'm just getting into the ST side after many years with the a8... I have a 4mb 1040 STe and a 1mb 1040 STf with a HxC floppy emulator (and I have a satandisk coming someone is giving me for free, not ultra satan but shoud suffice for my needs) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord