disjaukifa #1 Posted September 1, 2011 Hey Guys, Thinking about getting into the 8-bit Atari scene and was wondering what a fair price for an Atari XE was or if there was another model that people would recommend? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snicklin #2 Posted September 1, 2011 (edited) To me, a fair price would be about $30-$50 for a reasonable Atari XE. Maybe $30 for a 65XE and perhaps $50 for an Atari 130XE. I saw an XE GS going for £299 ($500+) on the UK eBay, what a rip-off, I put an offer in for £5. I'm not a violent man in the slightest, but rip-off artists like this need shooting. Edited September 1, 2011 by snicklin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+orpheuswaking #3 Posted September 1, 2011 Go for a 130XE or a 800XL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
svenski #4 Posted September 1, 2011 What Orpheus said. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sloopy #5 Posted September 1, 2011 ignore orpheuswanking he doesnt know what he is talking about... ;') get a 130XE or a 800XL $30-50 and $20-$40 are reasonable prices for working machines... sloopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rex Dart #6 Posted September 1, 2011 £299 is pretty far out there; isn't that what he asked for? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
svenski #7 Posted September 1, 2011 £299 is pretty far out there; isn't that what he asked for? and he keeps asking ........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sloopy #8 Posted September 2, 2011 maybe he is confused, that is how much his ebay bill is :'D sloopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
disjaukifa #9 Posted September 2, 2011 Why should I go for the 130XE or a 800XL? Thanks for all the input by the way! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sloopy #10 Posted September 2, 2011 these two machines are the most common, and they are the 'lowest common denominator' when it comes to development... most things are designed specifically for them... also, if you can get a 600XL, and are handy with a soldering iron, you can make it equivalent to a 800XL for pretty cheap... sloopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WizWor #11 Posted September 2, 2011 Why should I go for the 130XE or a 800XL? Thanks for all the input by the way! LOL, you shouldn't. Best to get an XEGS. Out of the box, this will provide a good experience with a modern TV. No need for mods. The gun is fun but won't work with anything but a CRT. It'll play just about anything and you can extend the keyboard to play from a distance (i.e. from your lap or from a couch). It's an attractive package too. I jump on these at $60 or less shipped. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmetal88 #12 Posted September 2, 2011 The 130XE can connect to a standard TV easily enough. You just need a cable to go from the monitor socket to composite video. Now what is awkward about the 130XE is the position of the cartridge slot. The cartridge sticks out the back of the computer. I'd say the XEGS would be better for simply having the cartridge slot on top, although it doesn't have as much RAM to begin with. I got a 130XE because I found one for $20 that I could pick up on a short drive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WizWor #13 Posted September 2, 2011 The 130XE can connect to a standard TV easily enough. You just need a cable to go from the monitor socket to composite video. Now what is awkward about the 130XE is the position of the cartridge slot. The cartridge sticks out the back of the computer. I'd say the XEGS would be better for simply having the cartridge slot on top, although it doesn't have as much RAM to begin with. I got a 130XE because I found one for $20 that I could pick up on a short drive. I like the 130xe. You're right about the awkward position of the cart and the cable adds to cost. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
disjaukifa #14 Posted September 2, 2011 I guess I want the XE mostly because it looks like a game system, I think the design is what has me at the moment. Wasn't Berzerk released for the 400/800/XE? If so on what media? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WizWor #15 Posted September 2, 2011 berzerk was a cart... eBay Auction -- Item Number: 140595040667 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+orpheuswaking #16 Posted September 2, 2011 The only reason I shy away from the XEGS is that it has a fairly large footprint, everything is directly soldered with no sockets so upgrades are a PITA (not to mention the quality of the board itself, which is unforgiving if you mess it up) I have at least one of every released machine and I always revert back to my 130XE for most things, however my stand alone games machine is a 64k 600xl with either a flashcart or SDrive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
disjaukifa #17 Posted September 2, 2011 The only reason I shy away from the XEGS is that it has a fairly large footprint, everything is directly soldered with no sockets so upgrades are a PITA (not to mention the quality of the board itself, which is unforgiving if you mess it up) I have at least one of every released machine and I always revert back to my 130XE for most things, however my stand alone games machine is a 64k 600xl with either a flashcart or SDrive Hmmm, thats a very good point, what kind of upgrades can be done to these machines? I'm very new to all of this, I haven't been around it that much, but I'm thinking about getting into it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+orpheuswaking #18 Posted September 2, 2011 Well it really depends what you are going to do with it... If you are just going to play games you wouldn't need any upgrades for 99% of the software out there My machines have various upgrades ranging from Memory upgrades to Stereo Pokey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
disjaukifa #19 Posted September 2, 2011 (edited) Well it really depends what you are going to do with it... If you are just going to play games you wouldn't need any upgrades for 99% of the software out there My machines have various upgrades ranging from Memory upgrades to Stereo Pokey. Yeah I'm just looking to game . I've got a Mac Mini Server in my house that I run 3 OS at once, Mac OS X, Windows XP (Virtual), and Debian (virtual) so I don't really have a need for another computer system at the moment. However classic gaming is always welcome. Edited September 2, 2011 by disjaukifa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+boxpressed #20 Posted September 2, 2011 The only reason I shy away from the XEGS is that it has a fairly large footprint, everything is directly soldered with no sockets so upgrades are a PITA (not to mention the quality of the board itself, which is unforgiving if you mess it up) My XEGS has some socketed ICs... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sloopy #21 Posted September 2, 2011 my XEGS has all socketed IC's... so does my 800XL, and both my 130XE's sloopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+orpheuswaking #22 Posted September 2, 2011 my XEGS has all socketed IC's... so does my 800XL, and both my 130XE's sloopy. Self installed does not count Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sloopy #23 Posted September 2, 2011 my XEGS has all socketed IC's... so does my 800XL, and both my 130XE's sloopy. Self installed does not count no its better, cause i dont use the crap that atari used for sockets ;'P sloopy. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+boxpressed #24 Posted September 2, 2011 I started a thread earlier in the week about my XEGS "marketting" sample. Did production mainboards for the XEGS use socketed ICs? Original thread is here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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