Did some basement digging for my old systems and came up with these.

[Scooter83]

I knew i packed some atari systems in the basement and with the new 8 bit website Im building I went and dug these out . Along with these I found an atari 2600 and 5200 console onlys. Those Ill be tossing up on ebay since they are just consoles but I figure this was a nice rediscovery.

 

Atari 400 (4 Port)

 

Atari 1200XL

 

Atari 65XE

[macintosh man]

are those Atari computers?

[Scooter83]

Yes in deed. From 1979 to 1987

[macintosh man]

Yes in deed. From 1979 to 1987

 

cool! I have never seen that one before!

[Scooter83]

The 1200XL and XEGS are probably the hardest systems to find. 800XE is another hard to get system in the states as I think it was available over seas in europe.

[macintosh man]

The 1200XL and XEGS are probably the hardest systems to find. 800XE is another hard to get system in the states as I think it was available over seas in europe.

 

that's probably why I haven't seen them then you should hang on to those the prices are rocketing. I originally got my macintosh se for 65 bucks now they sell for over a hundred!

[Algus]

I love the look of the 65XE.

[Scooter83]

XEGS is more available I see than the 1200. I missed out on a 130XE but i hope to land another one cheap. The 65XE 130XE and XEGS all use the same power adapter from what ive been reading. Which is a good thing.

 

The 65XE is a nice compact system compared to the others. I can see why however why they changed the XEGS to a detachable keyboard to make it more mobile.

 

I Need to find a nice 800, 130XE and a 600XL and ill be good.

[Scooter83]

I dont have any ST systems ( not sure if i want to do since its not a cartridge type system ) But the Atari PC sounds interesting to play with

[macintosh man]

I dont have any ST systems ( not sure if i want to do since its not a cartridge type system ) But the Atari PC sounds interesting to play with

 

the Atari system was a cartridge pc? I have never even heard of a cartridge pc

[Scooter83]

The 8 bit series was both a computer and a PC ( Well they could dial up modem, print documents, be a word processor with AtariWriter. Have cart programs that do designs and art. Disk drives to save your work. And you can play games on cartridges, 5.25 floppy disks, or you can use the keyboard to type line by line programs. In a way it was the first cartridge PC. I personally like this area of Atari, cause its less followed and holds more interest in my eyes.

[Algus]

Hmm, I've got an 800XL on the list of things to get (eventually) because of the cartridges. That, and a couple years ago when I was asking about the 5200, everyone here told me to just get an 8-bit instead lol.

 

Now that I've been working for awhile, I'm getting back into the console buying game but I just haven't come back around to looking at the 8-bits yet. I keep hoping for a good deal but it seems like most sellers want a decent chunk of change for one.

 

Even though it doesn't use cartridges, I find the ST pretty interesting but I don't think I'll ever get one of those unless I get a bigger house. I don't have enough space for all my game consoles as is, the last thing I need is an 800XL, VIC-20, Commodore 64, and Atari ST taking up room lol

[macintosh man]

COOL!1!!!!! I have always wanted a Atari computer or system. cant afford them though:(

Edited May 1, 2013 by macintosh man

[Scooter83]

Ive got mine listed for 65.00 + shipping. I did that on another board last time i had a spare and it flew. Ebay gets alot of crazy bidders at times. I try to make a little while finding homes for my spares. If i got a ST i really dont know what I would do with it. Craigslist had a ST complete boxed with monitor for 50.00 but was a local pick up outta my area. A deal like that might be the only way id consider buying one. 8 Bit computers are just easier for me to handle move use and enjoy, I think anything with a cartridge is worth a look.

 

my 5200 is a console only and i dont recall if it works. I bought and kept a good quality control on what i bought years ago and this being the last of the extras / non 8 bit I have to think it would work with the proper stuff for it.

[ilaskey]

cool! I have never seen that one before!

Start here http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/computers.html

[BSA Starfire]

That 400 is great. A friend had one back in the day. We used to play Star Raiders on it. Good memories. Haven't seen one since then.

[+DrVenkman]

Nice to see an old 400 resurrected from the depths.

 

"Back in the day," I had a 400 (and 410 Program Recorder) as my second 8-bit system. My step-brother and I saved up our money and bought it new around 1980 or 81. We upgraded to a new 800 around 1983 or '84 and I used that thing all the way through high school. I went on an ebay binge about 10 years ago and bought up a bunch of great old systems in working order: a 400, an 800, a 600XL, an 800XL, a 1200XL and a 130XE, plus a slew of peripherals and cartridges. I also snagged a 7800 with a bunch of games, and a Commodore 128 and some games my wife wanted. They're all packed away now, but when my teenagers move out, I'm going to dig them out, clean them back up and set up a great 8-bit retro room.

[macintosh man]

im jelous now!!!! it seems like you guys got this cool little world of 8 bit! .........I got a macintosh

[DesertJets]

Very nice finds. I have an XEGS that I do like very much, but I dislike the detachable keyboard. I like the looks and compactness of the 65XE and wouldn't mind picking one up in the not all that distant future. Yours looks very good, too many of them are crusty and yellowed.

 

 

I may get flack for this here but I much much prefer the aesthetics of the XE 8-bitters. The original 400/800 look too much like a 70s vintage typewriter. The XLs are ok in my book and I wouldn't kick a clean 800XL out of bed. This is all purely aesthetically speaking.

[+slx]

Can't beat the way the cartridge cover springs open when you push the release button on the 400. Never had one but played a lot on a friend's computer. I am not sure I'd want to spend the money required to get one now (especially in Europe) but it sure is a design classic with its straight edges. I do agree that the 800 (my first computer) looks a bit like an old typewriter but for me it will keep the coolness it meant to own one back in '82. Although it's probably more practical for daily use and more ergonomical to type on, the 800XL is a lot more 80ish in design.

 

And you need a 400/800 for a good four-player-game of M.U.L.E.

[Scooter83]

I will have to find a copy of that and try it out on the 400.

[+sm3]

...

 

I may get flack for this here but I much much prefer the aesthetics of the XE 8-bitters. The original 400/800 look too much like a 70s vintage typewriter. The XLs are ok in my book and I wouldn't kick a clean 800XL out of bed. This is all purely aesthetically speaking.

 

I believe I read somewhere one of the design goals for the 800 was to make it resemble a typewriter of the era because it was something people were familiar with. I can't remember where I read that though

[+sm3]

Ah, found the reference:

 

The Atari 800 case was designed by Kevin McKinsey of Atari's industrial design group, he wanted to give the Atari computers a warm familiar and friendly look. The new Atari 400 and 800 computers would look very similar to a standard home typewriter.

 

http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/8BITS/400800/ATARI800/A800.html

[macintosh man]

does anyone know where I can get a Atari computer,NES or Atari for cheaper than 30 bucks?

[tjlazer]

It use to be Goodwill and Thriftstores, but it seems all these are dried up now and everyone is selling them on eBay. You can try Craigslist, I've had some luck there. But eBay is your best bet unless you want to wait for a Blue moon.

Edited May 2, 2013 by tjlazer