Atari 600XL vs 800XL

[ATARI7800fan]

I was wondering is it worth getting a 600XL verses a 800XL and what is a good price for a 600XL. I have found one on ebay. The starting bid is 5 dollars and shipping is 15.Computer is in excellent condition and works great! All self tests passed perfect. If your a vintage computer collector or just like playing old video games this is the computer for you. I have include the new style RF adapter to connect the computer to your tv (small silver connector in picture). Items included:

 

* 600XL Computer

* Power Supply

* TV connect cable

* RF adapter (RCA to Coax)

* Original Box and Packaging (worn)

What would be a good price including shipping for it.

[+Philsan]

600XL is a nice machine.

If you add this cheap external memory expansion

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/162420-ram-320xl/page__view__findpost__p__2139500

and you add composite video output,

you have the perfect A8.

[sloopy]

If your in the US a decent price for a 600XL is usually $20-$40, depending on condition...

 

as philsan has said getting 64k and A/V port installed is good idea, and this would make it the same as a 800XL with the smaller form factor. if you are only interested in using it for playing games, and using it as a computer, then getting a 800XL may be cheaper in the log run...

 

for upgrading to 64k it is a very simple thing to do, basically adding two wires and installing the two DRAM chips...

http://atrey.karlin.mff.cuni.cz/~pavel/atari/600xl64Ka.html

 

for installing A/V jack its a little more involved, but still pretty simple...

http://atrey.karlin.mff.cuni.cz/~pavel/atari/600xlmon.html

 

the TV output can stay connected and both will work, but the composite is a little washed out, and i would recommend not using it

(for $40 i do both of these upgrades, including parts, A/V cable, and return shipping in the USA)

 

also if you want to keep the RF video and add composite you would want to use a kit like sold at best electronics...

http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/800xl.htm

600XL Composite Monitor Modification Kit. Allows you to install a 5 pin Din monitor output jack for composite type monitors. (components & instructions, requires soldering and cutting out of plastic). CB101093 $12.00

 

 

sloopy.

Edited January 22, 2011 by sloopy

[+wood_jl]

I have no problem admitting that the above posters are considerably more knowledgeable than I. For the technically-capable, technically-minded tinkerer, a 600XL may present a bit of fun, upgrading the RAM to 64K and adding the video port.

 

But unless you are a collector/tinkerer - I mean you just want *A* working Atari 8-bit - possibly your first - then it just seems to me like 800XL is the choice. Unless you are LOOKING to perform upgrades, why bother? They're going to be about the same price used; a nice 600XL may even cost more due to rarity.

 

All you'll save is maybe one inch of case depth with the 600XL. Is that amount of desk real estate really so valuable?

[sloopy]

well, using an emulator will save even more desktop real estate :'D

 

and i thought i said getting a 800XL maybe the cheaper option...

 

 

sloopy.

[+Philsan]

I confirm what wood_jl has written.

In my first post I haven't considered that you ask if it is better a 600XL or an 800XL.

 

600XL can become the perfect A8 machine but if you find a more common 800XL (or a 130XE) you don't have to add memory expansions or do video composite mods.

[dark willow]

Personally, I prefer the 800XL. I had a 600XL once but found the keyboard considerably less comfortable and responsive than the 800XL. Whether or not it was a one off I couldn't say, but just my personal experience, but it made programming and word processing a pain. Also, I prefer the 800XL aesthetics wise, the very short back of the 600 is great if your tight on space, but gives it an "unbalanced" look in my eyes, and the smaller form factor seems a minor benefit for having less memory and no monitor output as standard. The 800XL has a decent amount of RAM as standard, which will play most games and run most of the original "serious" software too, through a composite output to boot. One last thing is that the bigger case also means it's easier to fit any further upgrades. It's big enough to get a 2.5" drive inside, if you want to go for mass storage.

[Mister VCS]

My PAL 600 XL has the monitor output as a standard. Why díd Atari "prefer" the european customers?

I prefer the 600 XL aesthetics wise. I use my machine mainly as a "Cartridge Video Game System".

Edited January 23, 2011 by Mister VCS

[Mr.Amiga500]

Personally, I prefer the 800XL. I had a 600XL once but found the keyboard considerably less comfortable and responsive than the 800XL. Whether or not it was a one off I couldn't say, but just my personal experience, but it made programming and word processing a pain. Also, I prefer the 800XL aesthetics wise, the very short back of the 600 is great if your tight on space, but gives it an "unbalanced" look in my eyes, and the smaller form factor seems a minor benefit for having less memory and no monitor output as standard. The 800XL has a decent amount of RAM as standard, which will play most games and run most of the original "serious" software too, through a composite output to boot. One last thing is that the bigger case also means it's easier to fit any further upgrades. It's big enough to get a 2.5" drive inside, if you want to go for mass storage.

 

I prefer the appearance of the 800XL too. The 600XL looks a bit stunted. As for the keyboard comfort difference, there were at least 5 different versions of the 800XL keyboard. The 800XL you used probably had the good "type 1" keyboard, while the 600XL had a crappier version.

 

I prefer the feel of the "type 1", but the keycaps feel a bit cheap. The "type 4" has thicker keycaps and is heavier (giving the 800XL a nicer, heavy, balanced feel), but can be a bit stiff to type on. Even among the types, there is variation. I've got one "type 4" that is smooth and doesn't jam, and another that constantly jams.

Edited January 23, 2011 by Mr.Amiga500

[WizWor]

I was wondering is it worth getting a 600XL verses a 800XL and what is a good price for a 600XL.

My favorite everyday atari is the XEGS. It comes with sufficient RAM and good composite out. You can get a couple on ebay right now for $85 (note the games, jstick, and gun are not included)...

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/XE-Video-Game-Machine-Orig-Atari-64K-RAM-Computer-NS-/140501087434?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b68474ca

 

I use one of these attached to a HDTV's composite input and I am very pleased with the video.

 

And a complete one for $100...

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Atari-XE-Video-computer-In-its-original-box-H8-/220726156196?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33644ddba4

Edited January 23, 2011 by WizWor

[ATARI7800fan]

What do you guys think of this deal.

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 300518062149

 

I am still thinking of getting the 600XL just for the reason that I can buy the Ram expansion off of this site and not do any moding to get it to work on the 800XL. Plus I am a little tight on money. I will be selling my TI-99/4A so I can afford to buy the computer, hopefully no more then 40 for this one I have listed here. Plus have some more money left over so I can buy some more games like Donkey Kong JR. Though There is a 7800 version in box listed for 10 dollars buy it now plus 5 shipping that I am thinking of getting.

[dark willow]

My PAL 600 XL has the monitor output as a standard. Why díd Atari "prefer" the european customers?

I prefer the 600 XL aesthetics wise. I use my machine mainly as a "Cartridge Video Game System".

 

I'm guessing it was because their market research suggested more Europeans would use a monitor with their system than in North America. It kinda of makes sense in that in the US Atari was seen more or less solely as a games platform, whilst in Europe there were more people using the system for "real" work.

[kool kitty89]

I confirm what wood_jl has written.

In my first post I haven't considered that you ask if it is better a 600XL or an 800XL.

 

600XL can become the perfect A8 machine but if you find a more common 800XL (or a 130XE) you don't have to add memory expansions or do video composite mods.

Or if you don't care about PBI/ECI connectivity and just want at least 800XL level functionality, the 65XE might be a good option too (iirc significantly cheaper/more common than the XEGS), but the 130 is nicer and both are compact. (both have weaker keyboards than any earlier machines other than the 400, but they're reasonably usable at least -some don't like the styling either, but I rather like the XE's looks, similar to the ST but actually sleeker/simpler in a pleasingly clean way IMO -the 600 prototype might be my favorite though, the 400 is probably a close second ).

 

But yeah, 65XE might be worth looking into as well... the placement of the cart slot is a bit annoying on the XEs though, except the XEGS.

Edited January 23, 2011 by kool kitty89

[ATARI7800fan]

What are your guys opinion of jaybird3rd. I am thinking of getting a computer he is selling. It is a Atari 600XL, I've got an extra boxed unit that's in great shape and includes 64K of RAM (via an internal upgrade that I added).He is asking 45 dollars plus shipping. Is that a fair price. What is his reputation.

[mimo]

He is a great guy to deal with. Shipped stuff to me in the UK no problems

I'll let others discuss the price as I can't comment on us prices

[flashjazzcat]

Trying to decide whether to put a VBXE, U1MB and Stereo Pokey in a 600XL or 800XL. It's a tough decision: the 600XL has the cute and compact factor, but I worry about the comfort of the foreshortened keyboard bezel when it comes to typing. Decisions, decisions!

Edited February 8, 2013 by flashjazzcat

[Hatta]

You're supposed to type with straight wrists anyway. So it might even be beneficial in encouraging good typing habits.

[flashjazzcat]

You're supposed to type with straight wrists anyway. So it might even be beneficial in encouraging good typing habits.

 

Heh... I think it's too late for me to learn good typing habits. But I think my wrists might adopt an even worse poise owing to the lack of support in front of the 600XL's keys.

[sack-c0s]

comm... oh sorry - wrong thread

 

To be fair I think with a combination of using TVs and a monitor and the shape of pretty much every 8-bit machine I'm really surprised that we all don't resemble the hunchback of notre dame given the hours we've all put in.

 

If you want ergonomics use an emulator - if you want the actual feel of the real machine in all its imperfect glory then by all means use one.